New Historic Oswego Iron Heritage Trail opens in Lake Oswego

History buffs, outdoor enthusiasts and anyone with curiosity about Oregon's past are sure to enjoy the newly unveiled historic Oswego Iron Heritage Trail.

The trail route follows the rail bed of the narrow gauge railroad that transported ore from the mines to the furnace and winds through existing streets and paths in Lake Oswego - including trails in Tryon Creek State Natural Area - taking adventurers on a tour of Oregon's iron industry. Featured sites include:

• The 1866 blast furnace in George Rogers Park
• The site of the 1888 furnace in Roehr Park
• The site of the pipe foundry in Foothills Park
• The Prosser iron mines in Iron Mountain Park (mines are no longer accessible)
• The Worker's Cottage on Wilbur Street
• The Oswego Pioneer Cemetary

When the path reaches Tryon Creek State Natural Area it passes an old Charcoal Pit that once produced fuel for the furnace.


This interpretive sign in Tryon Creek State Natural Area was created and funded by the Friends of Tryon Creek in partnership with Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

(For more information and to view the entire collection of panels please visit http://lakeoswego.katu.com/news/community-spirit/455813-lake-oswego-unveils-historical-oswego-iron-heritage-trail)

Inside the Backyard Habitat Certification Program in Lake Oswego

In August 2011 the Friends of Tryon Creek partnered with the Audubon Society and Columbia Land Trust to bring the Backyard Habitat Certification Program (BHCP) to Lake Oswego. The program, previously launched with great success in the Portland area, empowers land owners to reduce storm water runoff and the use of natural resources while simultaneously providing wildlife habitat for native species and plants.

A typical site visit finds the Friends' Backyard Habitat Site Technician Heidi Brill meeting with a property owner and discussing ways the land can be restored by removing aggressive weeds, naturescaping with native plants, employing storm water management and promoting wildlife stewardship.

On a recent March Saturday, Heidi, the Friends' Education Director Matthew Collins, Columbia Land Trust's BHCP Program Manager Gaylen Beatty, and Audubon Society's Site Technician Michelle Bickley met with Boones' Way residents to introduce them to the program. The response was enthusiastic!

The Friends' Matthew Collins meets with resident Andrea Hinderhof who displays her Backyard Habitat sign, indicating the certification process is underway

Resident Bonnie Artmann and Columbia Land Trust's Gaylen Beatty

The Friends' Heidi Brill leads a discussion on the certification process with BHCP participants

Matthew Collins leads BHCP participants on a hike in Tryon Creek State Natural Area, providing information on native plants, habitat and the Tryon Creek watershed

Matthew Collins and BHCP participants at Tryon Creek State Natural Area

Once the Backyard Habitat Certification process is completed participants will achieve one of three certification levels: Silver, Gold or Platinum. And, they will have conservation and stewardship skills that enable them to protect and preserve their property in a whole new way.