Metro’s 2019 Nature in Neighborhoods Grants

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

Grant recipients have planted native species at Ross Island, improved water quality and amphibian habitat in Willow Creek, andrestored habitat at the Sandy River Delta for fish, migrating birds and turtles all while engaging local residents in being stewards of their local natural areas.

Metro grants expand partnerships to inspire new approaches to restoration, including economic and environmental equity. In the Jade District, APANO, Columbia Land Trust and Audubon worked together with private landowners to increase community stewardship and improve habitat.  In Hillsboro, Depave transformed the M&M Marketplace’s parking lot from gray to green by engaging community members that included pavement removal, rain garden creation, and native plant installation.  Momentum Alliance and Northwest Youth Corps co-created a diverse conservation leadership program for youth interns with year-round programming and coaching.

Metro’s Nature in Neighborhood restoration and community stewardship grants supports programs like these.

This round of grants is possible thanks to support from voters, who in 2016 renewed the parks and natural areas levy, extending funding to 2023. New this round, the restoration and community stewardship grants will be offered every two years.

The restoration and community stewardship grants program will award $700,000 this year. One- or two-year grants are up to $100,000.

Groups throughout greater Portland are encouraged to apply.

Click HERE to learn more about Metro restoration and community stewardship grants and fill out a simple application by January 29, 2019.

To learn more and ask questions, contact the grants coordinator, Crista Gardner, at Crista.Gardner@oregonmetro.gov.