The Quamash Prairie Natural Area is named after the plant Camassia Quamash more generally known as Common Camas. Metro acquired Quamash Prairie in two phases: 115 acres in 1996 and 45 acres in 2006. Since the acquisition, Metro has collaborated with the Grand Ronde to transform the former grazing land back to a healthy prairie. In 2019, the Grand Ronde conducted a controlled burn at the site to help maintain the site for White Oaks and Common Camas. The White Oak acorns and camas bulbs are both valued First Foods. The prescribed burn mimics the Atfalati’s use of fire to maintain the Tualatin River valley oak savannas.
