"Together we are creating a legacy for our communities and region."
Diane Taniguchi-Dennis, CEO, Clean Water Services
Fernhill is part of more than 700 acres in Forest Grove owned by Clean Water Services for water resources management. Fernhill utilizes natural treatment systems, or wetlands, to improve water quality by removing nutrients, cooling, and naturalizing the water after conventional treatment. Fernhill is designated an Important Bird Area and is also home to beavers, frogs, coyote and other wildlife.
disease affecting birds
A naturally-occurring disease is currently harming some birds at Fernhill and around the region. Clean Water Services and the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife are working together to monitor the situation. As always, visitors should avoid contact with birds.
Visitor & volunteer Buildings
The Fernhill Visitor Station helps guests understand how water travels through use, treatment and back to the Tualatin River. Fernhill volunteers operate out of the other building, sharing information and tools with visitors. Schedule a visit for your class or community group to explore the Visitor Station.
Birding at fernhill
Fernhill is designated an Important Bird Area and provides a resting place for migratory and resident bird species. Want to know what birds people are seeing at Fernhill? Visit the eBird database.
Birds Flock to Fernhill
One of the benefits of transforming Fernhill from sewage ponds into Natural Treatment Systems is increased habitat for birds and wildlife. For the past five years, Portland Audubon has been studying how birds have responded to habitat enhancement. Read the report summary or the detailed findings to learn more.
water treatment
Fernhill’s Natural Treatment System (NTS) creates an ecological bridge between treatment and the watershed, where water is cleansed further, cooled and naturalized before its return to the Tualatin River.
VOICES of fernhill
By award-winning director Peter Swanson and local film crews, these videos tell the story of Fernhill from the perspective of community leaders and Clean Water Services staff.