walk as if you are kissing the earth with your feet- TNH

Skyline Regenerative Ecology Project

The Skyline Tavern Regenerative Ecology Project, in collaboration with Ecosystem Restoration Artistry Systems (ERAS), is a climate-adaptive restoration initiative located along Portland’s Forest Park corridor. STP was initiated by Enviromental Filmmaker Scott Ray Becker, of Black Dog Art Ensemble 501c3 and Bear Deluxe Magazine. "STP explores contemporary culture and environmental issues through the creative arts and social practice as a living canvas for exploration and experimentation with ecological art, place making, and (sometimes when the moon is right) community events. STP integrates creativity and sustainability to develop experiments, works, and excursions that surprise and educate, catalyzing perceptual change. We believe that the spark of artful engagement positively impacts people, as does spending time in this natural setting."

The STP Regenerative Ecology project integrates ecosystem restoration, regenerative forestry, watershed repair, and biodiversity enhancement to restore ecological function across degraded upland and slope ecosystems.

Through contour-aligned keyline swales, phytoremediating bioswales, and native revegetation, the site enhances water retention, filters urban runoff, and rebuilds soil microbial networks. Restoration of oak savannas, transitional and syntropic native food forests support pollinators, birds, and amphibians (including the red-legged frog!!) by reconnecting fragmented habitats through wildlife corridors.

We are currently tracking our stewardship practices as we contribute to an international working group dedicated to impact assessment and scaling for regenerative sites. This includes tracking KPIs that matter for the multifaceted species community we are serving: plant species biodiversity, AM species health, forage and food availibility, soil ghg/carbon content, microbial biomass, infiltration rates, wildlife presence and more are measured quarterly. The project serves as a regional model for integrating restoration science, community stewardship, and climate resilience in the Cascadia bioregion to align with SER and the UNs Decade of Ecosystem Restoration goals.

May our efforts on this project lead to the deepening and enriching of interspecies relating, as we become more aware of the intelligence and agency of all species.

Page and project details are updated as project progresses. Spring 2025

Threatened and Endangered Species Protection

Restoring critical habitat for threatened species including the Northern red-legged frog (Rana aurora), acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus), and Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana), enhancing biodiversity corridors, breeding grounds, and native plant communities essential for long-term species resilience and ecosystem recovery in the Tualatin Mountains.

Hydrological Systems

Creating bioswales to manage stormwater runoff and overall improve the environmental health. The way bioswales function are by establishing stormwater management, regulating water pollution, groundwater recharge, creating wildlife habitats by planting native species, and temperature regulation. Another practice we implement are keylines, which are an essential part of slope stabilization and runoff filtration. By desiging channels and waterfalls using all natural resources, we have helped rivers and bodies of water stay as clean as possible by mininmizing the risk of toxic chemicals make their way down slopes and into streams.

Syntropic Forestry

Ranging from transitional, food, and sytronpic agroforests, we take measured actions on how to assess particular fractions of a forest to help its longevity and long-term help. By mimicing natural forest ecosystems, we are actively increasing the biodversity that leads to primary succession and eventually forest productivity. Observing the land closely and setting the right goals with the right mindset will result in a successful syntropic agroforest.

Cass loaded truck with branch removal.jpg

Invasives Management

Take a look at those blackberries. You would never know they were ever there a month later.

Invasive species take hold in disturbed areas as the result of large scale ecological shifts that are often the result of human activity. Species like Himalayan blackberry are often seen filling this role and forming dense thickets that out-compete native species and threaten natural succession. Careful invasive species mitigation plans are created to minimize soil disturbance while also efficiently and effectively preventing regrowth. With gratitude and awareness, native plants that fill ecologically similar roles and aid in natural succession are added to the land.

Biological stewardship: partnering with insects and wildlife to help restore ecosystems, promote biodiversity, and minimize invasive species impact. Cinnabar moth caterpillars are a prime example of intentional invasive species management. Tansy ragwort, an invasive and noxious plant in the Cascadia Bioregion, poses a risk to livestock and is toxic to humans. These distinct orange and black striped caterpillars have a diet that consists primarily of this notorious yellow-flowering invasive species. Cinnabar moth caterpillars were released as a way to biologically control this quick-spreading weed and remain a strategy to mitigate harmful populations.

Wetland Management

Protecting the breeding pond and headwaters.

Constructed Wetlands:

Wetland construction involves integrating native species to slow stormwater flows, mitigate risk during flooding events, and is used in phytoremediation strategies. Species like juncus and bullrush are phytoaccumulators that remove contaminants from water and soil systems.

Wildlife Corridors

Where the wild things like to travel to and from.

Wildlife corridors are created to connect regions that have been impacted by human activity. These corridors provide a safe cohesive habitat dedicated to migration and the movement of populations. At Skyline Tavern Project, wildlife corridors emphasize the importance of habitat connectivity for native species to access specific breeding grounds and other sensitive habitats.

Biological Inventory

We've cataloged plants, lichen, fungus, wildlife, insects, and biogeochemical features.

Native Plants and AM Assisted Migration

Restoring the native plant community and integrating climate resiliant species into our planting practices.

Alignment of Skyline Tavern Regenerative Ecology Project with International Environmental Standards

The Skyline Tavern Regenerative Ecology Project (STP) is a model of ecological restoration that aligns with several major international environmental standards and policy frameworks, demonstrating a commitment to global sustainability goals at a local level.

1. Alignment with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030)

The STP directly supports the core mission of the UN Decade, which is to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems.

UN Decade Goal

STP Activity and Alignment

Halt and Reverse Degradation

The project is a climate-adaptive restoration initiative focused on restoring ecological function across degraded upland and slope ecosystems. This directly reverses local degradation.

Promote Holistic Approach

STP integrates ecosystem restoration, regenerative forestry, watershed repair, and biodiversity enhancement. This multi-faceted approach embodies the holistic, landscape-focused strategy promoted by the UN Decade.

Restoration of Key Ecosystems

The project includes the restoration of oak savannas, transitional and syntropic native food forests, and wetlands. These are all critical ecosystem types targeted for restoration globally.

Community Stewardship

The project serves as a regional model for integrating restoration science and community stewardship in the Cascadia bioregion, a key pillar of the UN Decade's strategy to empower a global movement.

2. Alignment with the SER International Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration

The Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) provides the global benchmark for high-quality restoration practice. The STP's design and monitoring practices demonstrate a strong adherence to these standards.

SER Principle

STP Activity and Alignment

Goal-Oriented Practice

The project has clearly defined goals: restoring critical habitat for threatened species (e.g., Northern red-legged frog), enhancing biodiversity corridors, and rebuilding soil microbial networks.

Reference Ecosystem

The project focuses on restoring native ecosystems like oak savannas and native food forests, implying a clear understanding of the historical or desired reference ecosystem for the Tualatin Mountains.

Best Available Knowledge

The project utilizes advanced, measured techniques such as contour-aligned keyline swales, phytoremediating bioswales, and syntropic forestry, demonstrating the application of current restoration science.

Monitoring and Assessment

STP explicitly tracks key performance indicators (KPIs) quarterly, including plant species biodiversity, soil GHG/carbon content, microbial biomass, infiltration rates, and wildlife presence. This rigorous monitoring is central to the SER standards for ensuring restoration success.

3. Alignment with the Planetary Boundaries Framework

The Planetary Boundaries framework, developed by the Stockholm Resilience Centre, defines the safe operating space for humanity. The STP's activities contribute positively to several boundaries that are currently under stress globally.

Planetary Boundary

STP Activity and Contribution

Biosphere Integrity

Directly addresses both genetic and functional diversity by restoring critical habitat for threatened species and implementing native revegetation to enhance biodiversity corridors.

Biogeochemical Flows

Mitigates local transgression through the use of phytoremediating bioswales and constructed wetlands, which remove contaminants (e.g., excess nitrogen/phosphorus from urban runoff) from water and soil systems.

Land-System Change

Reverses local land degradation through regenerative forestry and the creation of native food forests, which improve soil structure and ecological function.

Climate Change

Contributes positively by tracking soil GHG/carbon content, indicating that the project is actively sequestering carbon and increasing the resilience of the local ecosystem to climate change.

Conclusion

The Skyline Tavern Regenerative Ecology Project is not merely a local conservation effort; it is a tangible example of global policy implementation at the local scale. By aligning its practices with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, adhering to the SER International Standards, and contributing to the stability of multiple Planetary Boundaries, the project demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of and commitment to international environmental governance and best practices in ecological restoration. This alignment underscores the project's significance as a regional model for climate resilience in the Cascadia bioregion.