acres wetlands sanctuary northwestern state oregon established opened public managed united_states located southeastern miles southwest portland refuge bordered newer area extending northern located west near city surrounding lake network refuge urban united_states habitats refuge include forested areas wetlands oak pine grassland meadows mixed deciduous coniferous forests common western oregon refuge established urban refuge provide wetland habitats variety migratory birds threatened endangered species fish resident wildlife refuge home nearly bird species animal species visitor center exhibits information refuge opened near portland metropolitan area center refuge headquarters observation deck overlooking seasonal ponds refuge nearly miles wildlife trails open public seen refuge winter months officials flood portions refuge history creation refuge proposed city local citizen year later united_states began looking creating national wildlife refuge near original plans called acre refuge near grew acre proposal unconnected parts additional wetlands near west press creation proposed citizens groups lobbied congress funding included video narrated actor initial estimates completion project years cost usd million land acquisitions late area residents donated acres project accepting donation officially create refuge purchased acres woodland property donated refuge donated second parcel refuge acre congress approved million project purchase land november january granted authority spend money order begin buying land refuge congress gave project additional million early years facility open public festival october program restore habitat original state began year water flow systems added refuge allow managers flood parts land refuge grew dairy farm spanned acres acres september spring million system flooding parts refuge completed total refuge grew acres increased number bird species facility enlarged acres received nearly build new safe entrance planned visitor area november congress appropriated cover costs designing public visitor center construction progressed public facilities site included trails observations decks parking entrance oregon route plans permanently opening public july refuge received million federal government complete visitor center new headquarters facility february construction began main observation deck visitor plaza plans open refuge public june regular public access began june roughly acres acres refuge opened permanent basis construction visitor center began later month march lake unit created west near month refuge received magazine honoring refuge preserved paradise number annual visitors refuge totaled refuge finally completed opened january dedication ceremony held wildlife center march people attended event including congressman author refuge attracted birds single day birds refuge december federal government spent million refuge grown acres refuge submitted proposal start collecting user fees february planned start date august december split natural environment protected area land river national wildlife refuge agricultural dairy farms crops corn today refuge spreads miles managed main sections units flats refuge includes created southeast river layers soil leaving marsh filled valley lake unit approximately miles west located migratory birds habitat includes seasonal wetlands streams forested wetlands zones forested portions refuge home species birds species species reptiles amphibians tree species include red maple oak oregon white ash douglas fir pine cedar pair year old oak trees found visitor center plant species refuge include water oregon wild iris wild wild rose include blue douglas purple refuge great blue canada wood ducks northern green american birds spend time include cranes oregon common pacific slope red tailed hawks american yellow western northern golden crowned black headed pair bald eagles year created officials counted different bird species birds species represented refuge river beaver red fox deer rabbits portion terrestrial animals wildlife includes painted turtles frogs fish refuge national wildlife united_states located urban area groups suggested refuge expanded way provide heavily populated area largest river tributaries amenities refuge acres unit open public section includes visitor center refuge headquarters includes classrooms student lab gift shop displays grove oak trees estimated years old inside center murals hands exhibits plus classroom contains skins wildlife live refuge inside center visitors view scenery viewing scope large window overlooking pond square foot wildlife center designed basic information encourage visitors explore wildlife natural habitats building color built flat roof gravel provide nesting habitat birds features designed environmentally friendly built cost million large center provide lots natural light builders local wood large exposed beams center headquarters adjacent oregon route seasonal pond original plans called million headquarters wildlife visitor center refuge headquarters previously old farm buildings west new building awarded honorable mention environmental achievement awards designed meet leadership energy environmental design standards silver level receive certification united_states green administration building visitor structures constructed variety people oriented amenities spread outdoors refuge open public feature outdoor deck ponds refuge foot long concrete deck design extends feet embankment amenities include education sites walking trails nearly miles trails closed fall winter centennial river viewing areas trails offering place view wildlife photographers access allow pictures disturbing wildlife located miles west main refuge near city oregon route washington counties area site lake soil held organic rich sustained swamp ecosystem plant grew upper marsh harvested native americans attempts began drain acres lake increase farmland improvement district completing effort 1930s valley forests wetlands encompass region today including small streams creeks government hoped add land area main refuge initially met resistance local residents residents later asked government buy land refuge acres studied area inclusion wildlife refuge unit time fish wildlife service owned acres area plans restore lake unit established march service approved creation lake unit boundary encompassing possible acres km2 june lake unit purchased sets properties totaling acres properties paid land grant additional acres added september plans called restoring farmland natural state acquiring land
Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge