Fitton Green Natural Area is a gorgeous 306-acre park located in the Coast Range foothills west of Corvallis (map). It offers excellent hiking and biking opportunities, as well as amazing views of Marys Peak. Taylor's checkerspot (Euphydryas editha taylori)
You can hike or ride through Douglas-fir clad slopes, lush mixed riparian forests, oak woodlands and savannas, and moss-draped maple groves, with old forest remnants, conifer stands, young plantations, and open meadows of upland prairie. You might see the rare Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly, as well as elk, woodpeckers, raptors, songbirds, and black-tail deer. Fitton Green is also home to cougars and coyotes, so take care and keep your eyes open while enjoying the outdoors there.
Fitton Green was opened to the public in 2003, and named after Elsie Fitton Ross. Elsie and her husband, Charles Ross, partnered with the Greenbelt Land Trust to help fund the acquisition of the park.
Fitton Green Natural Area is managed by the Greenbelt Land Trust and the Benton County's Natural Areas and Parks division. You can view Benton County's trail map of the area here.
Learn more about Fitton Green at Benton County's website and at the Greenbelt Land Trust's website.
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