Carlotta Collette

Metro Councilors voted unanimously Thursday to approve changes to the region's transportation plan, setting the stage for road, trail and bike projects from Troutdale to Tualatin to Hillsboro.

Regional leaders have about a month to screen applications for a $474 million federal transportation grant program, with hopes of having one project in the region to forcefully endorse.

Adjacent to Sauvie Island and a short walk from the traffic of U.S. 30, a quiet, undistinguished marsh is testament to conservation efforts that have restored the historic function of an important wetland.

Citing a need for an organization focused on regional infrastructure development – specifically for projects that support job creation – leaders of the Community Investment Initiative this week presented the clearest picture yet of their project.

Volunteers are pitching in on special Earth Day projects at Metro's natural areas – and it's not too late to join them.