A transformation will begin soon in the heart of Cornelius, as gray asphalt turns green. A project by the Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center to turn an alleyway on its property into a linear parkway is one of three in Washington County awarded Nature in Neighborhoods grants by the Metro Council on May 19.

The 38 regional and town centers in the Portland metropolitan area serve as mileposts on the path to achieving the region's goals for vibrant, livable and prosperous communities, as envisioned in the region's 50-year plan for managing growth. Learn about the new tools for measuring progress made by centers since the 2009 State of the Centers report. Download the report to see how the center in your town compares to the region as a whole.

The Metro Council voted 6-0 today to adopt a new map of Metro Council districts that will remain in effect for at least the next 10 years, beginning with the 2012 election cycle. Each new Metro Council district will comes within 3.5 percent of the average district population of 248,362 people, based on the results of the U.S. Census.

Envision standing underneath a magnificent old oak and looking down into the Willamette River to see salmon and trout making their way into the mouth of Johnson Creek. Now imagine watching an invasive weed new to the Portland metropolitan area clog ponds at the Blue Heron Wetlands and make its way to nearby waterways including Smith and Bybee lakes. Efforts to protect, restore, promote and celebrate nature throughout the Portland metropolitan region received a nearly $1.6 million boost from Metro on Thursday. The Metro Council awarded 17 Nature in Neighborhood grants to a variety of worthwhile projects.

Through a combination of land use planning and a strong regional transit network, the Portland metropolitan region is fighting long commutes, congestion and urban sprawl more successfully than other urban areas. Metro, local agencies and community leaders are also improving air quality, protecting farms, forests and natural areas, and helping people live closer to work. Thanks to careful transportation planning and management, high-capacity public transit and regional freight lines, our region has successfully employed investments and strategies that keep people and commodities moving without ignoring the reasons people live here: safe, reliable and affordable public transit, clean air and water, and vibrant, livable communities. Read on to learn how Metro's regional planning saves you time and money and reduces harmful environmental impacts like greenhouse gas emissions.

One minute you’re cruising past Happy Valley subdivisions, with basketball hoops in driveways and shrubs lining front yards. The next, you’re climbing a steep, narrow road with fir trees swaying overhead and birds chirping about your arrival. Metro purchased part of a beloved scouting camp overlooking Happy Valley today, and recently bought a smaller property next door. At nearly 100 acres, the new Scouter Mountain Natural Area will feature hiking trails, parking, restrooms and a picnic shelter.

In 2008, regional leaders came together and agreed on six desired outcomes for communities throughout the region; economic prosperity, safe and reliable transportation, leadership on climate change, clean air and water, equity, and vibrant communities. By bringing together different groups to identify common values and pursue measurable outcomes, Metro and its regional partners work together to guide the region's growth. In the same spirit, Oregon Commons will host a free event May 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. at St. David of Wales Church in Portland to promote conversations about shared values like useable public spaces and creativity and to foster community-based leadership to solve communal problems.

In Metro District 4, the strain caused by time and use of public facilities and infrastructure is evident. In the places where we live, work and travel, we can see missing sidewalks, cracked or potholed streets, areas where water or sewer pipes need replacing, and public buildings like schools, libraries and courthouses that need maintenance or improvement. Each level of government and service district continues to stretch public dollars to maintain or repair these facilities as wisely and effectively as possible, using the tax dollars that you and I provide. Most of us don’t want to pay more taxes unless it is for clear and specific purposes that can’t be achieved otherwise, such as a major capital investment for a new school, park, library or fire station, or for vital regular maintenance to prevent serious damage. “Maintain what we have before extending ourselves further” is a clear message that you have delivered to every elected level of government.