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Maya Lin’s Bird Blind

When you enter the restored forest ecosystem at Sandy River Delta, you’ll encounter an elliptical bird blind, which embodies Confluence Project’s commitment to sustainability and ecologically aware artistry. Stroll up a gently curving 150-foot ramp to the bird blind, constructed of sustainably harvested, durable black locust wood. From this quiet spot, you can view birds and wildlife that inhabit the area today as you learn about the flora and fauna-some of which are now extinct, endangered or threatened species-that existed here 200 years ago. The artwork serves as a lasting reminder of the impact humans have had on the environment and a model for a new way to envision the connection between people and the natural world.

A 1.2-mile trail, built primarily by volunteers, leads from the parking lot to Maya Lin’s elliptical bird blind. The wood used to build the bird blind comes from the black locust tree, a long-lasting, sustainable hardwood that is considered invasive in the Northwest. Using locally harvested black locust for this project supports efforts to eradicate the tree from native forests and reinforces the Confluence Project’s goal of promoting sustainability. The vertical wooden slats of the bird blind are inscribed with the name and current status of each of the 134 species Lewis and Clark noted on their westward journey.

To learn more, please visit www.confluenceproject.org.

Date: March 06, 2013