Oregon Metro has been acquiring land to create green spaces in the Portland metro area since the 1990s — and its collection of natural areas, trails and parks has now grown to over 20,000 acres.

Metro-owned natural areas and parks include the Smith and Bybee Wetlands in North Portland, Cooper Mountain Nature Park in Beaverton and Oxbow Park on the Sandy River.

Jon Blasher, the parks and nature director for Oregon Metro, joins us to discuss this milestone and to break down how and why Portland’s regional government creates these parks and conservation areas.

“Think Out Loud®” broadcasts live at noon every day and rebroadcasts at 8 p.m.

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News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/10/12/think-out-loud-oregon-metro-nature-parks/