The Great Northwest Exhibit

The project includes a new zoo entrance and Cascade Crest exhibit, which opened Sept.19, 1998; a Coastal exhibit, called Steller Cove, scheduled to open July 2000 and farm, forest and watershed exhibits which will open in 2001.

Why a Northwest Exhibit?
Community members and zoo staff involved in this project saw a tremendous opportunity for the zoo to shape the future of the region. The sustainable future of healthy river and forest ecosystems depends upon the wisdom of human decisions. The zoo has an established track record in providing quality educational experiences for children and is well-positioned to help Oregonians make the necessary connections between awareness and responsible action.

Cascade Crest
Your journey through the Northwest's ecosystems will begin just past the zoo's new entrance plaza with mountain goats in an alpine meadow setting. You can learn about the Cascade mountains, who lives there, and how they survive through the harsh winters.

Steller Cove
This exhibit will be home to Steller's sea lions, sea otters and a variety of ocean fish. There are both above and under-the-water views for both species. Exiting this area, you encounter a large tide pool, sea stars, sea anemones and other creatures.

Bear Crossing, Wy'east Trail & Eagle Canyon
For most zoo exhibits, we must artificially create the natural habitat of the animals. However, the setting for this exhibit is an existing 90-year-old forest on the north edge of the zoo where the "natural setting" will be the real thing. A stream meanders, leading to underwater views of a school of salmon, trout and bald eagles. A clearing in the forest is home to American black bears and cougars. At the edge of the forest, a family farm provides opportunities to pet farm animals, opossums and other friendly creatures. Near the farm, a herd of elk graze in a spacious meadow.

Community involvement in the Oregon project
The zoo recognized the importance of involving outside experts as well as zoo visitors in the messages and focus of the new exhibit. Participation included the following federal, state, and private partners:

• United States Fish and Wildlife Service
• Bureau of Land Management
• United States Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station
• Bonneville Power Administration
• National Marine Fisheries Service
• Oregon Department of Agriculture
• Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Oregon Department of Water Resources
• Oregon Department of Forestry
• Nature Conservancy, Oregon Chapter
• Oregon Trout
• Defenders of Wildlife
• Portland Audubon Society
• 1,000 Friends of Oregon
• Oregon Forest Resource Institute
• A Citizens Advisory Committee, composed of members of the community and
• Members of the Oregon Zoo.