Adapted from the Treekeepers of Washington County’s newsletter
History of the St. Andrew Wetland and Woods
Native people thrived for generations as they stewarded the wetlands and other ecosystems of our region. Things changed significantly with European colonization; many wetlands were drained or filled for agricultural purposes. In the second half of the 19th century, the widespread upland forest around the church property was nearly completely cut down for lumber and farming. There is a small remnant of the original forest encompassing five douglas firs and one Oregon oak (all estimated to be about 230 years old) along the forest margin with our wetland. All other trees in our Sanctuary of the Firs range in age from 100 to 140 years, post cutting. Between 1916 and 1936 the farmer of our wetland moved the location of Johnson Creek from the eastern margin of the flood plain to his western property margin by digging a ditch across the flood plain and then along the west property line. The creek’s previous location on the eastern margin indicates that it had also been moved by earlier farmers. Both creek locations are atypical of natural creeks. Naturally, Johnson Creek would have meandered back and forth across the flood plain.
Preservation of Wetlands
Wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests. With growing recognition of the importance of wetlands, efforts are being made to protect and restore them. By conserving and rehabilitating wetlands, their many benefits can continue to support the well-being of both humans and wildlife for our shared future. Land use laws have changed how wetlands are managed. You cannot fill in wetlands on your property without explicit legal authorization. Under federal law of the Clean Water Act, as well as state and local regulations, placing fill material, dredging, or draining a regulated wetland is strictly illegal without a specialized permit. During our 2012 building of the fellowship hall and chapel these regulations required we create water diversion strategies to preserve the wetland. What we do on or to the land affects both the amount and quality of the water in our wetlands.
Here are some ways you can make a difference.
- Retain mature trees that shelter wetlands.
- Avoid using nitrates and phosphates to fertilize your lawn and convert your lawn to help capture more stormwater and filter it before the water drains into wetlands.
- Join a volunteer effort to plant stream-side trees with The Wetland Conservancy, Tualatin Riverkeepers, Friends of Trees, and others. St Andrew will be hosting a Friends of Trees Planting event on November 21, 2026.
- Keep track of how Washington County protects areas of Significant Natural Resource (SNR) along stream corridors. Lift your voice to make sure that they provide the strongest protections.
- Support The Wetland Conservancy in their mission to conserve and steward Oregon’s wetlands in partnership with communities.
Beyond their ecological importance, wetlands and their trees also offer benefits people can see and feel every day. They cool surrounding areas, store carbon, soften noise, and create beautiful natural spaces for recreation and reflection. We at St. Andrew are blessed to have this natural resource to steward.
LuAnn Staul