Nature in Neighborhoods grants: $700,000 available for restoration projects

photo of Johnson Creek fish passage restoration project

The Johnson Creek Watershed Council received $58,000 to help remove barriers to fish passage. It received another $25,000 for riparian restoration.

2014 Nature in Neighborhoods restoration grant recipients

The Johnson Creek Watershed Council received $58,000 to help remove barriers to fish passage. It received another $25,000 for riparian restoration.

2014 Nature in Neighborhoods restoration grant recipients

The Forest Park Conservancy received $100,000 to help remove invasive ivy.

2014 Nature in Neighborhoods restoration grant recipients

The Sandy River Basin Watershed Council received $85,800 to restore 100 acres of Sandy River Delta habitat over two years. The effort will include removing invasive plants and installing 132,000 native plants in their place.

photo of woman with backyard habitat sign

2014 Nature in Neighborhoods restoration grant recipients

The Backyard Habitat Certification Program received $25,000 to expand in the metro area. The program teachers urban gardeners how to create natural habitats in their backyards by removing aggressive weeds, planting native plants, reducing pesticide usage, improving stormwater management and attracting wildlife.

Feb. 4, 2015 12:40 p.m.

To view the pre-application handbook, the simple application, examples of previous successful applications and more information, visit the Nature in Neighborhoods restoration grants page.

Want to restore and care for nature in your community?

If you have a vision for getting rid of weeds, improving water quality, creating fish and wildlife habitat or restoring nature in the Portland metropolitan area, a Metro Nature in Neighborhoods restoration grant can help get your idea off the ground.

Grants are available for individuals, community groups, businesses, neighborhoods, nonprofits, schools and school groups, government agencies, faith groups and service groups with nonprofit or other tax-exempt status.

Metro is especially interested in projects that invite communities of color to participate in the design, development, implementation and future benefits of projects.

Thanks to a 2013 parks and natural areas levy approved by the region’s voters, Metro expects to award about $700,000 in restoration grants this year.

Grant recipients from last year are busy helping control invasive plants at Forest Park, restoring habitat at the Sandy River Delta, removing barriers to fish passage in Johnson Creek and more -- all while engaging the local community on how they can become good stewards of these areas.

Metro grants also expand partnerships to create volunteer restoration opportunities. This year, SOLVE and Centro Cultural de Washington County are working together to create summer camps, afterschool programs and weekend bilingual community events for families living near Council Creek, a tributary of the Tualatin River.

Fill out a simple application by April 21 for small habitat restoration grants up to $25,000 and large restoration grants up to $100,000.

Projects must involve at least three partners and be completed within two to three years. Grant money must be matched by other funding or in-kind contributions, such as materials and volunteer work.

Grants for conservation education programs and capital projects are also available.

To learn more and to ask questions, attend a restoration grant workshop on Wednesday, April 1 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Metro Regional Center, 600 NE Grand Ave., Portland.