A partnership to reach beyond the Blue Goose

When the Oregon Zoo opened its new Education Center this last March, it was just the beginning of a developing partnership between the USFWS and the Zoo. With the opportunity to reach thousands of visitors, the zoo affords the USFWS to go beyond the Blue Goose and connect with people who might not understand how our work benefits them daily. On April 29^th, the USFWS and its partners, the Ridgefield NWR Friends and Tualatin River NWR Friends, brought our story to the Zoo to celebrate Arbor Day.

With a focus on the importance of native Oregon White Oak Trees, the event showcased not only the many benefits of oaks, but what we do as the Service to protect oak habitats, to ensure that they not only last, but thrive.  USFWS Fire team’s engaging “dress like a fire fighter” booth let young minds explore the idea of one day working in fire management, while helping people to understand how fire is used for restoration work. The Friends of Tualatin River NWR shared stories of the prescribed burn held last fall at TRNWR. Ridgefield NWR helped engage youth and families to share how many animals, including humans depend on oak trees and oak habitats, and the Friends of Ridgefield NWR shared the connections between native people’s tending of oaks and how the protection of oak habitats is a priority for our local refuges. Other local partners also joined us at the event, showing that we can all find common ground – even when it comes to something often overlooked, like an oak tree.

This event is just the first of many where through this partnership we can extend into the community and serve more people.  Curious?  Want to learn more?  Contact us. Kim at kim_strassburg@fws.gov.