White Oak Savanna

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Credit: Darcy Kiefel

The oak savannas found in Oregon's Portland Metro region were created by native peoples using fire as a management tool. When pioneers began to settle here in the mid 1800's, the oaks were removed for agriculture, and faster-growing firs began to dominate the landscape. Researchers estimate that only about eight percent of the oak savanna remains in the valley today.

In 2009, with help and funding from Oregon Parks and Recreation, Metro, and the City of West Linn, The Trust for Public Land worked to save 14 acres of this rare and beautiful woodland to create the White Oak Savanna nature park. Since then, community members led by Neighbors for a Livable West Linn, have invested thousands of hours into the restoration, improvement, and care of the park

In 2013, with the help of a catalyst grant from Metro, we have a chance to add the remaining 6 acres of unprotected land to the park and expand this much-loved natural area.