Greater Portland voters approve $475 million Metro parks and nature bond measure

Voters across greater Portland on Tuesday approved a renewal of Metro’s parks and nature bond measure, which will raise $475 million to protect clean water, restore fish and wildlife habitat and provide opportunities for people to enjoy nature close to home.

Measure 26-203 is passing 67% to 33%, according to election results from Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties. The measure does not raise taxes and instead renews the current property tax rate of $0.19 per $1,000 of assessed value. It costs about $4 a month for a home assessed at $250,000.

Money from the bond measure will support six program areas: land purchase and restoration, improvements at Metro parks, Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants, “local share” money to support local park providers, walking and biking trails, and complex community projects, such as providing public access to Willamette Falls.

All projects supported with bond money are required to prioritize community engagement, racial equity and climate resiliency. People of color, Indigenous community members and other people historically left out of parks and nature work shared their input to shape the development of the bond measure.

For more detail: https://www.oregonmetro.gov/news/greater-portland-voters-approve-475-million-metro-parks-and-nature-bond-measure

2020 Nature in Neighborhoods nature education and outdoor experiences grants

Expected January 2020 Deadline

Have you applied for a past Nature in Neighborhoods nature education and outdoor experiences grant? We would love to reconnect with you and talk about what you’ve observed and learned.

Metro staff is starting to brainstorm for the next grant cycle, the 2020 Nature in Neighborhoods nature education and outdoor experiences grants. Grant applications may be due in January 2020 for around $700,000 in total funding.

If you haven’t already, could you please help us by completing this quick, five-minute survey about the grants? Find it here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2018NINgrants

Would you have time to join us for coffee and snacks at Metro? If so, we have set up two group meetings to listen and discuss the next round of grants:

• Wednesday, November 13 from 4 to 5 p.m. in room 601 at Metro, 600 NE Grand Avenue
• Wednesday, November 13 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in room 370 at Metro, 600 NE Grand Avenue