To further their mission of protecting public health and enhancing the natural environment, Clean Water Services hired Green Banks to provide stewardship management for 172 acres of the Tualatin River Watershed. We assist with the ecological management of Clean Water Services’, Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Management Area and Rock Creek Management Area, which support some of the most abundant and varied wildlife in the watershed. As part of our ongoing oversight, we observe the areas seasonally and determine the types of ecological improvements that could be implemented. We develop management plans that include goals for the identified issues and that guide our management efforts. For example, we established the goal of improving plant diversity, then identified species that would reduce weed competition, improve wildlife habitat, and be suitable additions to existing communities. Our vegetation management plans include approaches that aid plant succession within the project areas as they mature towards climax communities. To better support the health of fish, amphibians, insects, and other wildlife, we are transitioning the areas from reliance on chemical control of weeds to greater use of hand-pulling, digging, mowing, or cutting. In addition, to reduce the threat of non-native species, we focused on developing strong seedbanks for these areas by additional seeding of native annuals and perennials, which will cover bare ground throughout all seasons of the year. We annually assess the area for opportunities to improve ecological function and adjust our stewardship plan, continually making the area more resilient to the impact of global warming, pest invasion, and other long-term challenges.