The Bird Alliance of Oregon has spread its wings with a new purchase. The organization recently acquired a 12.5-acre property on NE 82nd Avenue, with grand plans to construct a state-of-the-art wildlife hospital and nature sanctuary. The site, located at 2800 NE 82nd Ave, is slated for significant development to transform it into a haven for both wildlife rehabilitation and community engagement, featuring nature trails, park space, and educational resources.
After sifting through more than a hundred potential sites, Bird Alliance of Oregon found its match on NE 82nd Avenue, according to a statement obtained by Bird Alliance of Oregon. Their new Wildlife Care Center is strategically placed to be easily reached by different modes of transportation, providing a much-needed upgrade from their NW Cornell Road location, which was neither big enough nor transit accessible. "Since the 1930s, residents have relied on the Wildlife Care Center—the busiest rehabilitation center in the region—to treat injured and orphaned native wildlife and educate the public on how to humanely resolve human/animal conflicts,” said Stuart Wells, Executive Director of Bird Alliance of Oregon.
The upcoming facility is not just a win for the critters. It's poised to bolster the services of the Wildlife Care Center, improving its capacity to care for over 6,000 animals annually. This expansion is critical for handling the seasonal rushes and challenges posed by extreme weather events. According to Wells, this new building is more than just a doubling in size; it's a leap forward in wildlife care and community access.
And it's not just wildlife that will benefit from the new center. A collaboration with community partners is already underway, featuring a two-acre community solar array, thanks to a grant from the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF). The solar project is expected to cut utility costs for about 200 low-income community members over the next two decades, while also powering the new Wildlife Care Center, "providing tangible community benefits to local residents and the environment," said Debbie Elliott, President of the Bird of Alliance of Oregon Board of Directors.
The site's history as a former landfill and quarry adds a layer of redemption to the story. Bird Alliance of Oregon has long advocated for the remediation and productive use of brownfield sites, and with this project, they are manifesting that advocacy into action. The development of this land signals a greener future for the city's urban landscape, much to the delight of the 82nd Avenue Coalition, with Zachary Lauritzen, its Coalition Manager, expressing excitement at the planned green space and community projects.
Remembrance is also a part of the site's foundation. The alliance attributes the success of this long-term endeavor to its visionaries, including Bob Sallinger, the former Conservation and WCC Director, Deb Sheaffer, a former veterinarian, and McKenzie Joslin Snyder, a past wildlife rehabilitator. "We wouldn’t have this property without the tireless efforts of Bob Sallinger," Micah Meskel, Assistant Director of Urban Conservation, told Bird Alliance of Oregon. Their legacies are interwoven with the sanctuary, ensuring that their dedication to wildlife conservation endures.
Amid an ever-urbanizing landscape, the Bird Alliance of Oregon's new venture is a testament to Portland's commitment to its feathered friends and those who wish to enjoy and learn from nature within the city's confines. This will be the organization's second Portland metro area location, complementing its 172-acre headquarters and other sanctuaries across Oregon.
