Search Through Wildlife Grants in Oregon in the U.S.

Mission

The DanPaul Foundation will use its resources to help train teachers and parents in early childhood development, protect children from abuse and neglect, stimulate children's personal social responsibilities, and offer them opportunities for enrichment and growth.

The Foundation will also encourage children to be concerned and informed about the environment and the underprivileged, particularly with regard to clean air and water, and adequate housing and nutrition for all.

Beliefs

The DanPaul Foundation believes that children should have ample opportunities for enrichment in their lives, and thus strives to provide many different ways to enrich and expand children's minds through direct programs and monetary support to organizations doing similar work.

We have provided or currently provide grants related to the following program areas:

• Workshops, Conferences, + Seminars: We strive to offer educational workshops, conferences, and seminars for parents and teachers on topics related to early childhood development.
• Student Scholarships: We aim to help students attending post-secondary education institutions by providing need-based and academic scholarships.
• Scientific Endeavors: We desire to advance scientific endeavors which seek to improve the quality of life for everyone in the world.
• Clean Air + Water: We hope to pass on knowledge and practical life skills to youth regarding their personal responsibility to the environment, teaching them about issues surrounding clean air and water.
• Child Advocacy: We believe in protecting children from abuse and neglect and particularly love to support programs that provide education and assistance to children as well as organizations advocating or caring for vulnerable children.
• Homelessness: We want to encourage young people to take a personal interest in seeing that adequate housing and proper nutrition, especially for the underprivileged and homeless, are available.
• Poverty + Neglect: We seek to help those in poverty as well as educate youth about their responsibility to consider the underprivileged and take care of those most in need of life's basic essentials like adequate housing and proper nutrition.
• Refugee Enrichment: We wish to help refugee youth by supporting programs that provide them enrichment and help them transition to life in a new country.

The DanPaul Foundation provides grants to 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit organizations as defined by the IRS. The Foundation is interested in providing funding to programs that directly serve the health, education, development, and welfare of the world's youth.

Grants range from a few hundred dollars up to $15,000 per calendar year.

Goal

​The goal of the Forest Stewardship Program is to assist landowners in developing Stewardship and Tree Farm Plans.

How the Forest Stewardship Program Works

The Forest Stewardship Program (FSP) of the U.S. Forest Service works in partnership with state forestry agencies, cooperative extension, and conservation districts to connect private landowners with the information and tools they need to manage their forests and woodlands. Actively managed forests provide timber, fuel wood, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, recreational opportunities, and many other benefits. They also benefit adjacent National Forest System lands by creating healthier, more resilient landscapes overall.

What is a Forest Stewardship Plan?

FSP also offers resources to help landowners develop a forest management plan (also known as a Forest Stewardship Plan). As a private landowner, you may be concerned about keeping your land productive and healthy now and into the future. You may want to increase its economic value while protecting water and air quality, wildlife habitat, and natural beauty. You can accomplish all these objectives by using a Forest Stewardship Plan to identify your goals for your land and the management activities needed to meet them.

Background

The Small Grant Program is an easy-to-engage-in, competitive grant program that awards grant funding for on-the-ground restoration projects principally carried out on private lands across Oregon. This program responds to a need for local decision-making about watershed restoration opportunities on a shorter timeframe than is available under OWEB’s regular grant program.

The Small Grant Program enables landowners across the state to contribute to the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds and the Oregon Conservation Strategy by committing “small acts of kindness” on their properties for the benefit of water quality, water quantity, and fish and wildlife. From planting native plants along stream sides to reducing sedimentation and erosion from upland farms and ranches, citizens everywhere can make a difference.

Small Grant Projects

Small Grant Projects is an easy-to-engage-in, competitive grant program that awards up to $20,000 for on-the-ground restoration projects principally carried out on private lands across Oregon.

Offered: Small Grant Teams set the application window for their Small Grant Area. At a minimum, all Teams must conduct reviews on submitted applications four times in the state fiscal year (July 1 through June 30).

Eligible Projects

Project Sites

• Projects may occur on sites owned by private landowners, not-for-profit institutions, schools, community colleges, state institutions of higher education, independent not-for-profit institutions of higher education, or local, state, or federal agencies.​​​

Fish Passage

• Remove Irrigation or Push-Up Dams: Install alternatives (e.g., infiltration galleries, point-of-diversion transfers) or convert from gravity diversion to pumps
• Remove and/or Replace Culverts (as a condition of funding, such projects require Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) or Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) technical review and approval, or tribal government review and approval for projects on Tribal Trust Lands, using a standard OWEB form; and for culverts under state roads, a 50% Oregon Department of Transportation match)
• Remove or Replace Stream Crossings (as a condition of funding, such projects require ODFW or ODF technical review and approval, or tribal government review and approval for projects on Tribal Trust Lands, using a standard OWEB form)​

Urban Impact

• Install Storm Water Runoff Treatments (e.g., create bioswales, pervious surfaces, native plant buffers, green roofs) where vegetation has exceeded its design life;
• Employ Integrated Pest Management in conjunction with a restoration project.​

Riparian Process and Function

• Manage Nutrient and Sediment Inputs: Fence out livestock or develop alternative watering sites.
• Manage Vegetation: Control weeds (in conjunction with a restoration project), or plant native wetland species.
• Restore Wetlands: Excavate or remove fill, or eliminate drainage structures.
• ​Employ Integrated Pest Management in conjunction with a restoration project.​

Wetland Process and Function

• Manage Nutrient and Sediment Inputs: Fence out livestock or develop alternative watering sites
• Manage Vegetation: Control weeds (in conjunction with a restoration project), or plant native wetland species
• Restore Wetlands: Excavate or remove fill, or eliminate drainage structures
• Employ Integrated Pest Management in conjunction with a restoration project.​

​Instream Process and Function

• Improve Instream Habitat: Place large wood, boulders, or salmon carcasses.
• Manage Erosion: Bioengineer stream banks, slope stream banks, or develop water gaps, streambank barbs.
• Eradicate or control exotic aquatic species.​

Private Road Impact Reduction

• Decommission Roads.
• Improve Surface Drainage: surface road drainage improvements, gravel surfacing, stream crossings.​

Upland Process and Functi​​on

• Manage Erosion on Agricultural Lands: terrace land, employ laser leveling, create windbreaks, install sediment basins (WASCBs), develop filter strips/grassed waterways, manage mud (e.g., gravel high-use areas, develop paddocks), seed bare areas (OWEB may require a grazing management plan, if appropriate, prior to release of funds. For post-fire areas, seed only where natural regeneration is unlikely — e.g., on slopes of 30% or more — or where it can be demonstrated that seeding would retard or prevent the spread of noxious weeds), or reduce tillage.
• Manage Nutrient and Sediment Inputs to Streams through the management of grazing, vegetation cover, or animal waste.
• Manage Vegetation: prescribed burning, except when conducted as part of a commercial harvest; noncommercial thinning; control/remove juniper (except late seral/old growth); plant or seed (native upland species or native beneficial mixes preferred); or control weeds (in conjunction with a restoration project).
  • Projects for prescribed burning to reduce fuel loads require Oregon Department of Forestry technical review and approval, or tribal government review and approval for projects on Tribal Trust Lands, using a standard OWEB form.
• Manage Wildlife: install water guzzlers.
• Employ Integrated Pest Management in conjunction with a restoration project.​

Water Quantity/Irrigation Efficiency

• Recharge Groundwater, such as through infiltration galleries, infiltration basins, roof water harvesting, or similar practices;
• Implement Irrigation Practices (e.g., pipe existing ditch, install the permanent components of drip or sprinkler systems, install automated soil moisture sensors where water and electrical savings can be documented, or recover or eliminate tailwater).
  • Such projects must either not adversely impact the current level of groundwater in a Groundwater Management Area, or must measurably reduce the diversion of water at the point of diversion.
  • As a condition of funding, irrigation efficiency projects require local watermaster technical review and approval, or tribal government review and approval for projects on Tribal Trust Lands, using a standard OWEB form.
  • Landowner agreements with irrigation efficiency projects require affirmation that the landowner and/or irrigation district agree that water conserved with the project shall remain instream.
  • For projects involving the improvement of irrigation practices for the benefit of water quality, the application shall describe how sediment, nutrients, bacteria, or waste is entering a water body along with sediment and nutrient load calculations.​

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) work together to administer the ODA Noxious Weed Grant Program Lottery funded grant program. The implementation of a comprehensive watershed approach to integrated control of noxious weeds is the most effective strategy to minimize impacts and protect natural resources in Oregon from invasive noxious weeds. It is a priority of the Oregon State Weed Board (OSWB) to fund projects that restore and enhance:

• Fish and wildlife habitat
• Watershed functions
• Native salmonid populations​

Water quality

Projects for on-the-ground weed control of Oregon state listed noxious weeds that protect water quality and overall watershed health are encouraged.

Who is Metro

The Metro Council consists of a president, elected regionwide, and six councilors who are elected by district every four years in nonpartisan races. The Metro Auditor, elected regionwide, is responsible for oversight of Metro's annual financial statements and for conducting performance audits. The council appoints a chief operating officer to carry out council policies and manage Metro operations. The chief operating officer oversees a diverse workforce of more than 1,600 employees including park rangers, economists, teachers, scientists, designers, planners, animal keepers, stagehands and cartographers. Hundreds of volunteers lend a hand at Metro's parks, cemeteries, natural areas, offices and visitor venues.

Background

The Wilsonville-Metro Community Enhancement Committee oversees local implementation of the Wilsonville-Metro Community Enhancement Program. The program is funded by a per-ton fee charged by Metro regional government on solid-waste transfer stations located in communities throughout the greater Portland region. 

The Committee in essence reviews “community enhancement” projects or programs nominated by the public and members of City boards and commissions that are first assessed by City staff, and decides which projects or programs, if any, to advance with the Community Enhancement Program funds.

The Metro Council extended effective July 1, 2015, the Metro Solid Waste Community-Enhancement Program to apply uniformly to all communities that host putrescible (biodegradable) solid-waste transfer facilities, including the Willamette Resources, Inc., (WRI) transfer facility operated by Republic Services in Wilsonville. Metro’s program started in 1988 after the Oregon Legislature allowed the assessment of fees to support communities hosting facilities that accept garbage and other waste discarded from homes and businesses. While offering value to the region as a whole, these facilities generate traffic, odors and other inconveniences to residents in adjacent host communities.

Funds collected under the Metro Community Enhancement Program are dedicated and used for “enhancing the host community of the facility from which the fees have been collected” as determined by the local government or administering committee. These funds may be used for extensive community purposes that “rehabilitate and enhance the area within the City limits.” 

FY2025-26 Community enhancement program (CEP)

CEP project nominations will be accepted from November 12, 2025 through January 9, 2026, with project selection anticipated in spring 2026 after City vetting and cost-estimating. Anyone may nominate a project for consideration that could benefit the community, including organizations that may seek to undertake a sponsored project. Potential sponsors of a community enhancement project are encouraged to contact the CEP administrator in advance to review prospective fit of a project for the program. Projects, which must be located within city limits, are funded to start on or after July 1, 2026, and must be completed within one year.

CEP Project Criteria

• Improve the appearance or environmental quality of the community.
• Reduce the amount or toxicity of waste.
• Increase reuse and recycling opportunities.
• Result in rehabilitation or upgrade of real or personal property owned or operated by a nonprofit organization.
• Result in the preservation or enhancement of wildlife, riparian zones, wetlands, forest lands and marine areas, and/or improve the public awareness and the opportunities to enjoy them.
• Result in improvement to, or an increase in, recreational areas and programs.
• Result in improvement in safety and community emergency preparedness.
• Benefit youth, seniors, low income persons or underserved populations
• Foster and enhance community enrichment through educational programming, arts and cultural projects.

Mission

Our mission is to empower the lasting conservation of our fish and wildlife and citizen enjoyment of our natural resources. One of the ways we pursue our mission is through grant awards to projects in Oregon that align with our values, priorities, and conservation objectives.

Focus Areas

The Oregon Wildlife Foundation offer small grant awards to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), tax-exempt organizations, volunteer groups with a fiscal sponsor, and qualified individuals for projects that fall within the following areas:

• fish and/or wildlife habitat restoration or protection
• public access preservation, restoration, or improvement
• natural resource or outdoor education
• pollution prevention or reduction
• invasive species removal or control
• studies that support improved fish/wildlife management
• Environmental research

Your proposed project may be a stand-alone project or part of a larger or ongoing project. Projects that conserve or restore an Oregon Conservation Strategy habitat or Strategy species are given priority.Guidelines

• We make cost reimbursement grants only.
• Requested funds must be matched dollar-for-dollar, in cash, or in-kind from other sources. It’s appealing to the Foundation if the applicant's organization is a cash contributor to the project. 
• Grant funds must be expended in the way outlined in your original application. If you need to reallocate expenditures for any reason, our office must be contacted first.
• As requested in our application, a statement of support from a local, state, or federal biologist is required for fish, wildlife, or habitat-related projects. The same may be required for access projects if the need isn’t clearly demonstrated.
•  Other disallowable uses of Foundation funds include fundraising or advocacy activities, ongoing operating expenses, and pass-through grants.

What is Metro?

Metro works with communities, businesses and residents in the Portland metropolitan area to chart a wise course for the future while protecting the things we love about this place.

Where is Metro?

Metro serves more than 1.7 million people in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties. The agency's boundary encompasses Portland, Oregon and 23 other cities – from the Columbia River in the north to the bend of the Willamette River near Wilsonville, and from the foothills of the Coast Range near Forest Grove to the banks of the Sandy River at Troutdale.

Nature in Neighborhoods Grants

Nature in Neighborhoods grants support community projects and programs across the region, from local park improvements to stream restoration to hands-on nature education for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Grant programs under Nature in Neighborhoods include:

• Nature education
• Restoration and community stewardship
• Capital
• Community choice

Grants are designed to support communities of color and other communities who have experienced barriers to accessing Metro grant funding in the past.

Capital Grants

Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants fund a wide variety of projects. The program provides three year grants to projects led by community organizations, park providers, local governments and other organizations. The grants are for publicly owned capital projects. It also must meet criteria listed in the 2019 bond, including advancing racial equality, preparing the region for climate change and conducting meaningful community engagement.

Project types

Projects eligible for the Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants fall into four major categories:

• Land Acquisition
  • Land acquisition projects can transform privately owned property into the next great neighborhood natural area and preserve special places in communities across the greater Portland area.
  • The Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants have protected local assets that aren’t covered by Metro’s regional efforts to buy natural areas.
  • As a tried-and-true conservation tool, land acquisition provides a straightforward way to make a difference.
  • Purchasing land can be the first step in a community’s mission to open a nature park, build trails or restore habitat.
• Urban transformations
  • A little creativity and determination can go a long way toward weaving nature into the most urban development and infrastructure projects.
  • Urban transformations bring nature to even the most urban areas.
  • Although these projects tend to have the biggest price tags, they also have some of the biggest benefits for their communities
• Restoration
  • Conservation groups and local governments have no shortage of restoration projects on their wish lists.
  • The challenge: finding funding to make them happen.
  • With a boost from Nature in Neighborhoods grants, restoration efforts are improving the health of floodplains and watershed basins across the region.
  • Although these projects improve habitat for fish, amphibians and other animals, many are also designed to improve the experience for the community.
• Neighborhood livability
  • Public land in neighborhoods can become a place for people to experience and enjoy nature.
  • Neighborhood natural areas give people a place to walk, reflect and connect with nature.
  • Nature in Neighborhoods grants are helping communities create and transform outdoor destinations close to homes and schools.
  • Unlike big regional natural areas, neighborhood projects typically don’t protect large blocks of threatened wildlife habitat.
  • But, by preserving nature down the street, they forge a connection between people and the natural world.

Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board

The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) provides grants to help protect and restore healthy watersheds and natural habitats that support thriving communities and strong economies.

Applicants are encouraged to consider the impacts of this year’s extensive wildfires on native fish and wildlife habitat and watershed processes and to contact their regional program representative to discuss potential restoration projects in burned areas.

Technical Assistance Grants

Projects that develop a technical design or implementation plan for restoration, including consideration for compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act.

TA-1, Technical Design and Engineering (formerly Technical Design)

Development of a technical design for a restoration project.

Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board

The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) provides grants to help protect and restore healthy watersheds and natural habitats that support thriving communities and strong economies.

Applicants are encouraged to consider the impacts of this year’s extensive wildfires on native fish and wildlife habitat and watershed processes and to contact their regional program representative to discuss potential restoration projects in burned areas.

Technical Assistance Grants

Projects that develop a technical design or implementation plan for restoration, including consideration for compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act.

TA-2, Resource Assessment and Planning (formerly Technical Planning)

Development of an implementation plan for restoration activities.

Mission

Our mission is to protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations.

Conservation and Recreation Grants

The Oregon Conservation and Recreation Advisory Committee is pleased to announce funding for conservation and recreation projects. 

Approximately $800,000 will be granted to projects that address the impacts of drought on Oregon's fish, wildlife and their habitats. The maximum allowable grant request for drought projects is $100,000. Projects seeking this level of funding must address an aspect of drought AND have a significant, measurable impact/benefit in alignment with the OCRF Program Priorities. (The OCRF received Drought Package funds from the State legislature mandated to fund projects that will have an impact on drought for the State of Oregon. The majority of funding for the Spring 2025 RFP comes from this funding source). 

Based on available funds, approximately $250,000 will be granted to projects in conservation/recreation that have a significant impact in alignment with the OCRF Program Priorities, and do not address an aspect of drought (therefore can’t be funded from the Drought Package). The maximum allowable grant request for these projects will be $50,000. The OCRF Program seeks to continue its support for smaller, newer organizations particularly those arising from underserved, environmental justice communities.

Oregon’s Access & Habitat (A&H) Program was created by legislation in 1993. The program, sponsored by several landowner and hunter associations, was designed to improve both wildlife habitat and public hunting access to private lands. The authorizing legislation called for the creation of a seven-person board composed of three hunters, three landowners, and one at-large member to represent the general public and serve as chairperson.

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission appoints board members to four-year terms. Six Regional Advisory Councils have the same make-up as the State Board. The Board reviews project proposals and then makes recommendations to the Commission. After receiving much favorable testimony from constituents and interest groups, the 2009 Oregon Legislature reauthorized the A&H Program an additional ten years through December 31, 2019.

What is Metro?

Metro works with communities, businesses and residents in the Portland metropolitan area to chart a wise course for the future while protecting the things we love about this place.

Where is Metro?

Metro serves more than 1.7 million people in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties. The agency's boundary encompasses Portland, Oregon and 23 other cities – from the Columbia River in the north to the bend of the Willamette River near Wilsonville, and from the foothills of the Coast Range near Forest Grove to the banks of the Sandy River at Troutdale.

Nature in Neighborhoods Grants

Nature in Neighborhoods grants support community projects and programs across the region, from local park improvements to stream restoration to hands-on nature education for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Grant programs under Nature in Neighborhoods include:

• Nature education
• Restoration and community stewardship
• Capital
• Community choice

Grants are designed to support communities of color and other communities who have experienced barriers to accessing Metro grant funding in the past.

Community Stewardship and Restoration Grants

Metro's Nature in Neighborhoods grants provide opportunities to support and create partnerships in local communities that improve water quality, fish and wildlife habitat and connect people with nature.

Potential Projects

Funding is available for projects that:

• preserve and restore local fish and wildlife habitat
• create, support and/or deepen partnerships in local communities
• address inequities in the conservation movement
• support larger conservation initiatives
• increase people's awareness of the need for protecting and managing natural areas
• engage people in protecting and managing natural areas at the community level
• increase the expertise and capacity of organizations to lead habitat restoration and land management activities
• provide environmental resources and economic opportunities to communities of color and other historically and continually marginalized groups
• offer direct access to protected natural areas and the positive impacts of clean land, air and water to communities of color and other historically and continually marginalized groups.

Funding

Funding for the community stewardship and restoration grants funding cycle is set at $750,000. The final slate of proposals recommended for funding will include a mix of small, medium, and large grants. Small grants have a maximum award of $50,000, medium grants have a maximum award of $75,000, and large grants have a maximum award of $100,000.

Program Purpose and Goals

Community stewardship and restoration grants support and create partnerships in local communities that improve water quality, fish and wildlife habitat and connect people with nature.

All applications must clearly meet the grant program’s overall purpose. Priority will be given to applications that meet each of the grant program’s three goals.

Goal 1: Improve water quality, fish and wildlife habitat

These grants will preserve and restore fish and wildlife habitat in local communities and support larger environmental justice and conservation initiatives.

Examples of project strategies and activities:

• Increase the health of the overall urban landscape for native species and people. Address environmental justice and our region’s history of displacement.
• Promote stewardship of wildlife on urban landscapes and reduce human-wildlife conflicts.
• Reduce hazards to wildlife and humans.
• Remove invasive species and enhance native vegetation.
• Support climate change adaptation and climate resiliency initiatives.
• Improve regional habitat connectivity.
• Restore ecological processes and functions in natural areas.
• Engage and support a variety of local approaches, and ways of knowing and being.
• Focus on multiple key habitats and species

Goal 2: Community partnerships, collaboration and accountability

These grants create, support and/or deepen partnerships in local communities. Strategies for community engagement fall on a spectrum from deep, personal engagement to outreach via mass media, but should aim for transformational partnerships rather than transactional information sharing.

Examples of project strategies and activities:

• One-on-one personal connection (e.g. involve multiple community members in project design, implementation and/or outreach, community participation in hands-on restoration projects, organizing, workforce development, and mentoring).
• Outreach and/or marketing (e.g. social and mass media, group discussions, interpretive signs, mailings, project and/or site tours).
  • Collaboration with communities of color and other historically and continually marginalized groups to develop shared learning about environmental justice priorities and practices, and follow their direction to restore, experience and connect with nature and the region’s natural areas.
  • Provide information, advertising or other promotions so that residents can more easily learn where natural areas are located, how to access them, and what to do there.
• Increase the capacity of, and support for, organizations or businesses that are led by, organize with and/or employ people of color and other historically and continually marginalized communities in habitat restoration or local park and natural area land stewardship activities. Examples of capacity and support building activities include technical assistance, professional or leadership development, or stipends/compensation to participate in project design and/or implementation.
• Expanded partnerships with local and/or regional community-based organizations to support increased stewardship of local natural areas, fish and wildlife habitat.
• Intentional involvement of the community in restoration and stewardship efforts, contributing to community members’ sense of connection back to natural areas, providing opportunities to learn from and educate local users, residents and nearby school populations.
• Training on trauma informed care for natural and water resource professionals and community members who interact with people experiencing houselessness. Learn from houseless communities about their needs and desires to be in nature. Facilitate transformational, equity centered, trauma-informed approaches to address safety and provide resources for houseless communities to be in nature. 

Goal 3: Economic and environmental equity

The community stewardship and restoration grants help address inequities in the conservation movement. The grants provide outdoor, environmental, and natural resources; economic opportunities; direct access to protected natural areas; and the positive impacts of clean land, air and water to Indigenous communities, Black communities, communities of color and other historically and continually marginalized groups in greater Portland.

Examples of project strategies and activities:

• Provide social and economic benefits to Indigenous communities, Black communities, communities of color and other historically and continually marginalized communities beyond the specific project scope or original design.
• Increase the number and improve the experience of visitors, staff and programs at natural areas representing diverse racial, ethnic and cultural groups and other historically and continually marginalized groups. Provide opportunities to communities of color to learn about, guide, and have decision-making power in how agencies and communities manage and care for the land and create opportunities to care for trails, harvest seeds or plant native plants. Improve accessibility to and within natural areas for the elderly, people with disabilities and communities of color.
• Include workforce development goals for partner organizations or programs, including internships or career pathways programs. Shift power to create possibility for equity in career pathways, hiring, retention, and educational opportunities.
• Work with and shift power to Indigenous communities to protect, preserve and access culturally significant land; salmon, steelhead and lamprey habitats; and native plants.
• Include work with Black communities, Indigenous communities, and/or communities of color on anti-displacement and housing security
• Provide economic opportunities for communities of color and other marginalized communities in the construction of natural area improvements, restoration or community stewardship projects by working with COBID-certified firms and hiring and training a local workforce.

Background

The Klamath River Basin is an ecosystem of national and regional significance. The U.S. Department of the Interior has designated it as a “Treasured Landscape” – a place that encompasses America's natural resources and cultural heritage. From its headwaters just south of Crater Lake in Oregon, the Klamath River flows through a complex of National Wildlife Refuges to the Cascade Mountain Range in California and ultimately into the Pacific Ocean, covering an area of more than 12,000 square miles. The population of the Klamath Basin is approximately 114,000 people. Several Native American tribes own land in the Basin, and two-thirds of the land in the Basin is owned by the federal government.i

The Upper Klamath River Basin supports one of the largest lake-wetlands complexes in the western United States. River, riparian, lake, and wetland habitats in the Upper Klamath historically supported healthy populations of culturally and economically important fish such as the Lost River and shortnose suckers. It is also home to the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which encompasses six refuges. The Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge was established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908 as the nation's first waterfowl refuge. This area has been referred to as the “Everglades of the West” because of its biological diversity and importance to the Pacific Flyway, as it hosts upwards of 80% of the migrating waterfowl that use the Pacific Flyway.

Klamath Basin Forests and Watersheds Restoration RFP

The Klamath River Basin is an ecosystem of national and regional significance. From its headwaters just south of Crater Lake in Oregon, the Klamath River flows through a complex of National Wildlife Refuges, six National Forests, and ultimately into the Pacific Ocean, covering an area of more than 12,000 square miles – approximately the size of Maryland. River, riparian, lake, and wetland habitats in the Upper Klamath Basin historically supported healthy populations of culturally and economically important fish such as Lost River and shortnose suckers. Additionally, the Klamath River was once the third-most prolific salmon run in the lower 48 states. Anadromous species of the Klamath River Basin include fall- and spring-run Chinook salmon, coho salmon, Pacific lamprey, green sturgeon, and steelhead trout. The anadromous fish of the Klamath not only have inestimable value to Tribes in the Klamath Basin, but these fish are also a major economic engine for northern California and much of the Oregon coast ocean salmon fisheries.

Today, the restoration and protection of fish habitat in the Klamath River Basin is entering a new chapter. In the summer of 2024, four dams were decommissioned and removed on the mainstem of the Klamath River. The removal of these dams in California and Oregon is the largest dam removal project in the history of the United States and will open up over 400 miles of historical anadromous fish habitat for the first time in nearly 100 years.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has been active in voluntary habitat restoration activities throughout the Klamath River Basin for over 30 years, awarding federal, state, and private funds to help voluntarily stabilize and increase the populations of native suckers in the Upper Klamath Basin and improve anadromous fish habitat below the recently decommissioned dams. NFWF in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture – U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is pleased to announce the Klamath Basin Forests and Watersheds Restoration Request for Proposals (RFP). NFWF anticipates awarding up to $11,553,000 in grant funding to support fish and wildlife conservation, restoration, and monitoring projects across the Klamath Basin.

This total includes:

• $7,040,000 from the Shasta Valley Regional Conservation Partnership Program
• $2,000,000 from the Conservation Partners Program
• $1,793,000 in Upper Klamath Watershed Resilience Funding
• $720,000 in Fremont-Winema National Forest Headwaters Enhancement and Monitoring Funding

Funding

• Shasta Valley Regional Conservation Partnership Program -
  • Anticipated award range: $200,000 - $2,000,000
• Conservation Partners Program -
  • Anticipated award range: $200,000 - $700,000
• Upper Klamath Watershed Resilience Funding -
  • Anticipated award range: $100,000 - $500,000 
• Fremont-Winema National Forest Headwaters Enhancement and Monitoring Funding -
  • Anticipated award range: $50,000 - $450,000

Operating Capacity Grants

Operating Capacity investments are awarded biennially and help support the operating costs of effective watershed councils (councils) and soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs or districts) as they engage people in their communities to participate in collaborative, voluntary restoration of watersheds.

District Capacity Grants

Capacity grants to districts provide funding for 45 SWCDs to work with landowners to conserve natural resources and lend support to the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) Agricultural Water Quality Management Program. More information can be found on ODA's website.

Council Capacity Grants

These grants help support the operations of councils that engage people and communities in their watershed to participate in collaborative, voluntary restoration and protection of native fish or wildlife habitat and natural watershed functions to improve water quality or stream flows.

Background

We focus on protecting and restoring natural forests and freshwater habitats on and around the Mount Hood region. Our family’s roots in Hood River and Portland shape our vision for sustaining a healthy natural environment for future generations.

Protect And Restore Mount Hood In Oregon

A deep history and connection with the Mount Hood National Forest region drives our devotion to its freshwater and forest ecosystems. Our family homestead is in Parkdale, just minutes from the national forest and in constant view of the mountain, and it is a family tradition to trek to the top of Mount Hood at least once in a lifetime.

We fund creative environmental restoration and advocacy programs to protect and restore native ecosystems on Mount Hood and in neighboring communities.

Our Goal

We strive for resilient river and forest ecosystems in the Mount Hood region to produce cool, clean streams and vibrant older forests for the benefit of this and future generations.

Our Measurable Objectives

Forests

Prevent harvesting of old growth and double the amount of forestland with habitat protections

Fish

Stabilize and support the recovery process for fish populations

Water

Preserve cool and clean drinking water for local communities that also supports abundant fish and wildlife populations

Oregon Agricultural Heritage Program

Oregon’s well-managed agricultural lands are the cornerstone of the state’s rural communities. They support valuable fish and wildlife habitats and enhance other natural resources. Yet farms and ranches are increasingly challenged by fragmentation of farmland, conversion of farmland to non farm uses, complex regulations, and planning for generational transfers.

The State Legislature established the Oregon Agricultural Heritage Program (OAHP) in 2017 to help address these challenges. The program provides voluntary incentives to farmers and ranchers to support practices that maintain or enhance both agriculture and natural resources such as fish and wildlife on agricultural lands. OAHP was developed by a collaboration of organizations representing natural resource conservation and agriculture, including farmer and rancher representatives.

Conservation Management Plan

The purpose of a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) is to develop and implement conservation measures or other protections for maintaining or enhancing fish or wildlife habitat, water quality or other natural resource values in a manner consistent with the social and economic interests and abilities of the agricultural landowner or operator. The plan may include provisions for addressing particular priorities related to natural resource values, including but not limited to soil, water, plants, animals, energy and human need considerations.

The Conservation Management Plan Grant Program funds the development, implementation, and monitoring of CMPs entered into by agricultural landowners or operators and CMP holders to manage working land in a manner that contributes to the purpose of the Oregon Agricultural Heritage Program.

Who is Metro

The Metro Council consists of a president, elected regionwide, and six councilors who are elected by district every four years in nonpartisan races. The Metro Auditor, elected regionwide, is responsible for oversight of Metro's annual financial statements and for conducting performance audits. The council appoints a chief operating officer to carry out council policies and manage Metro operations. The chief operating officer oversees a diverse workforce of more than 1,600 employees including park rangers, economists, teachers, scientists, designers, planners, animal keepers, stagehands and cartographers. Hundreds of volunteers lend a hand at Metro's parks, cemeteries, natural areas, offices and visitor venues.

Community Enhancement Grants: Sherwood

Across the Portland metropolitan area, Metro community enhancement grants give a boost to neighborhoods affected by garbage transfer facilities.

Since 1986, Metro has invested more than $6 million in communities across the Portland metropolitan area. Local jurisdictions and community partners help Metro to administer the grant funds in and around Forest Grove, Gresham, Portland, Oregon City, Sherwood, Troutdale and Wilsonville. These funds come from fees collected at local waste transfer stations that are reinvested back into surrounding communities.

Program Goals

The program supports projects that advance one or more of the following goals:

• Provide programs, training or services that benefit youth, seniors, low income persons, people of color, veterans or other marginalized and underserved populations
• Increase reuse, recycling and waste prevention opportunities; reduce toxicity of waste
• Improve the environmental quality of the area
• Preserve or enhance wildlife and natural areas within the target area
• Improve or increase recreation opportunities for residents in the target area
• Rehabilitate and upgrade property owned or operated by non-profits
• Improve the safety, appearance or cleanliness of neighborhoods.

Project examples

Successful grant projects include:

• Developing environmental education and job training opportunities for underserved youth
• Habitat restoration in parks and natural areas; increased programming to improve access
• Property improvements at community centers and social service hubs
• Producing community events such as festivals, cultural events and summer concert programs
• Safety, cleanup and beautification projects around communities and main street boulevards
• Supporting farmers markets and increasing access to healthy food for underserved communities.

Target areas and grant cycles

Each of the eight enhancement grant programs award funds in a different geographical target area. Grant review committees of local elected officials and residents promote, solicit, evaluate and select funded projects each cycle. 

Sherwood

The Sherwood Community Enhancement Committee awards about $90,000 each spring to projects that serve city residents. The grant program is funded by community enhancement fees collected at Pride Recycling Company.

The Community Enhancement Program (CEP) is an exciting opportunity for citizens to participate in making Sherwood a place where families and businesses thrive.

This program derives its funding from a partnership between Sherwood and Metro and is generated by a $1.00 per ton surcharge collected at the Pride Recycling Company transfer station located at 13980 SW Tualatin-Sherwood Road, in Sherwood, Oregon.

The grant program is open to non-profit groups, organizations, and City advisory committees. We encourage you to let us know your ideas for enhancing the community.

Whether you have big ideas, small ideas, or ideas somewhere in-between, you can be sure they will be considered.

Community Enhancement Grant

The Community Enhancement Grant Program (CEGP) supports projects in Oregon City that improve our community’s overall quality of life by investing in people and places. The CEGP receives funding from Metro, which operates the South Transfer Station located in Oregon City at the corner of Highway 213 and Washington Street. Metro, through an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Oregon City, compensates the City by distributing a $1.00 per ton surcharge for all solid waste collected at the station to be used for enhancement projects throughout Oregon City.

Projects that receive support through this program must meet at least one of the 10 goals listed below.

• Result in significant improvement in the cleanliness of the City.
• Increase reuse and recycling efforts or provide a reduction in solid waste.
• Increase the attractiveness or market value of residential, commercial or industrial areas.
• Result in the rehabilitation or upgrade of real or personal property owned or operated by a nonprofit organization having 501(c)(3) status under the Internal Revenue Code.
• Enhance new or existing wildlife, riparian zones, wetlands, forest lands or marine areas, and/or improve the public awareness and the opportunities to enjoy them.
• Preserve or increase recreational areas and programs within the City.
• Improve safety within the City.
• Increase employment or economic opportunities for City residents.
• Provide work or training opportunities to benefit youth, seniors and low-income persons or other underserved population.
• Enhance art and culture within the City.

About the Fund

The Columbia River is the lifeblood of the Pacific Northwest and has the greatest flow of any North American river draining into the Pacific. The Columbia River watershed extends from the Canadian Rockies in British Columbia to the Pacific Ocean near Astoria, Oregon. Historically, the Columbia River supported one of the greatest salmon and steelhead runs on Earth, and through 1840, up to16 million salmon and steelhead returned to the Columbia River to spawn each year.

These massive salmon runs, along with other fish and wildlife populations, historically supported, and continue to sustain, rich Native American cultures and traditions across the entire Columbia River Basin. Since 2014, the Columbia River Fund, funded through settlements of legal actions as part of the Columbia Riverkeeper’s Clean Water Act enforcement program, has awarded over $1 million in grants to support community-based water quality stewardship projects along the Columbia River.

Examples of Allowable Projects and Activities

Here are some examples of the types of projects and activities that are eligible for funding. Due to limited funds, the following types of projects have been designated as priorities:

• Legal strategies, policy development, and associated public outreach and education directed towards protecting the watershed and impacted communities.
• Community organizing , public/environmental education to protect water quality and prevent degradation of the watershed.
• Water quality monitoring and testing including sediment impact analysis, especially if the project also includes an element that uses the data to promote enhanced water quality.

Our Core Principles:

• Relevance: We continually seek information regarding significant opportunities in our region and in our focus areas to ensure that we are responding to current needs and opportunities.
• Community Engagement: We seek to foster community engagement in protecting wildlife and habitat and in engaging youth skills to build directly on community needs and strengths.
• Focus on Place: Grounded in the Northwest, we fund in urban, rural and tribal communities in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington where people work to improve the places that they live.
• Expand Opportunity: We give special consideration in our grant making to benefit and expand opportunities for underserved populations in our region.

Wildlife and Habitat Programs: Promoting Biodiversity in a Changing Climate

Conservation efforts that utilize the impacts of climate change when selecting areas for protection.

Engaging a community of citizens, scientists, and conservationists in educating the public about biodiversity and climate change.

Restoring important lands for biodiversity, focal species, and landscape connectivity. Including but not limited to:

• Assessments to identify species and communities at risk, including strategies to work toward ecosystem resilience.
• Identification of barriers to migration and mitigation measures to enhance landscape connectivity.
• Adaptive restoration strategies based on predicted species range expansion and contraction.
• Promoting the biodiversity of the marine and freshwater environments.

Guidelines for Wildlife and Habitat Programs

As development pressures increase, the stewardship of vital ecosystems is critical for protecting wildlife populations and habitat. The effort must be based on solid conservation biology, recognizing the resilience, complexity and interdependence of all life. Conservation of critical habitat and species requires comprehensive strategies and collaboration among partners working in the region, recognizing the limitation of funds available. Stewardship is the shared responsibility of empowered citizens, engaged scientists, collaborating foundations, informed business and property owners, and an accountable government. Healthy and diverse wildlife populations and habitat must be preserved through sound government policies and a range of creative conservation approaches. The principle of sustainability requires that environment, economics and equity are considered together to protect the quality of life at every level.

Pacific Power Foundation

The Pacific Power Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Pacific Power. Its mission, through charitable investments, is to support the growth and vitality of local communities.

Together with our foundation and employees, we've given $13 million to local communities since 2019 to lend a helping hand and spur economic development.

Grant Focus

The foundation manages its grants in four cycles. This helps the foundation carefully review similar requests to ensure maximum benefit.

Community Enhancement

Affordable housing, community resilience, community and recreation centers, economic development, libraries, monuments, memorials and science centers.

Environmental Respect

Animal and wildlife biodiversity; carbon and methane emissions; conservation of natural resources; environmental management systems; parks, trails and gardens; resource stewardship; waste management reduction, and water usage management.

Conventional grants

Our Board meets once each year in September to decide grants for that year that have not been decided through the small grant program. Inquiries are due August 1 of each year, but may be submitted anytime during the year. These grants are scheduled for distribution in November.

Eligibility Areas

The Foundation makes grants primarily for the purposes detailed here. An important element of all grants is a benefit to the public at large, rather than to specialized populations or groups.

Historic Preservation

Historic preservation has been our principal funding area since our beginning. In 2006 we identified our primary interest in this area as architectural preservation — the preservation, rehabilitation, restoration and reconstruction of historic buildings, structures and related sites. Most of the projects we fund involve buildings that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, either individually or as a contributing resource in an historic district.

We will continue to consider grants for other historic preservation activities as a secondary interest.

Native Wildlife Rehabilitation and Appreciation

Native wildlife rehabilitation is the focus of this interest, and is almost exclusively limited to nonprofits managed by state- and federally-licensed wildlife rehabilitators. These programs offer urgent care of injured and orphaned wildlife native to Oregon and Washington.

A small portion of our native wildlife budget is reserved for wildlife appreciation projects or programs that offer the general public opportunities to observe and appreciate the natural world. These activities will

• promote individuals’ stewardship of native wildlife and its natural habitat
• enable people to understand and minimize their impact on the Earth, and
• promote responsible enjoyment of wildlife in recreational settings.

For Historic Preservation and Native Wildlife Rehabilitation and Appreciation grants, inquiries less than $5,000 are processed throughout the year, and there is no application deadline. Small grant applications will generally require 6-8 weeks to review.

Eligibility Areas

The Foundation makes grants primarily for the purposes detailed here. An important element of all grants is a benefit to the public at large, rather than to specialized populations or groups.

Historic Preservation

Historic preservation has been our principal funding area since our beginning. In 2006 we identified our primary interest in this area as architectural preservation — the preservation, rehabilitation, restoration and reconstruction of historic buildings, structures and related sites. Most of the projects we fund involve buildings that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, either individually or as a contributing resource in an historic district.

We will continue to consider grants for other historic preservation activities as a secondary interest.

Native Wildlife Rehabilitation and Appreciation

Native wildlife rehabilitation is the focus of this interest, and is almost exclusively limited to nonprofits managed by state- and federally-licensed wildlife rehabilitators. These programs offer urgent care of injured and orphaned wildlife native to Oregon and Washington.

A small portion of our native wildlife budget is reserved for wildlife appreciation projects or programs that offer the general public opportunities to observe and appreciate the natural world. These activities will

• promote individuals’ stewardship of native wildlife and its natural habitat
• enable people to understand and minimize their impact on the Earth, and
• promote responsible enjoyment of wildlife in recreational settings.

Background

The OWEB water acquisition program supports the planning and implementation of the acquisition of an interest in water from a willing seller across the state. Water acquisition grants can support a range of project activities from permanent transfers and temporary leases of instream water rights to incentive-based voluntary curtailments by irrigators. The purpose of this program is to increase instream flow to address the conservation needs of habitats and species and to improve water quality.

Definition of Water Acquisition Project

• "Water Acquisition Project is a program or project that plans for or implements, or both, the acquisition of an interest or interests in water from a willing seller for the purpose of increasing instream flow to do either or both of the following:
• Address the conservation needs of habitats and species;
• Improve water quality in a water-quality-limited area as determined by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.
• A water acquisition project may include the following activities:
• Strategic planning and development, project design, landowner outreach, and other activities associated with water acquisitions in a given basin or other defined area;
• Acquisition of an interest in water and associated due diligence;
• Monitoring and other associated activities to ensure the interest is maintained through time.

Nature of Application

In accordance with Section 4(b) of Article XV of the Oregon Constitution, OWEB may consider grant applications in partnership with other funders for projects that plan or implement the acquisition of an interest in water from willing sellers for the purpose of maintaining or restoring watersheds and habitat(s) for native fish or wildlife. Interest in water includes, but is not limited to, instream leases (including split season use instream leases), water use agreements that result in protectable instream flows, conserved water projects as determined by the Oregon Water Resources Department’s Allocation of Conserved Water Program, and permanent and time-limited instream transfers. These projects must be designed to increase instream flow to do either or both of the following:

• Address the conservation needs of habitats and species; or
• Improve water quality in a water-quality-limited area as determined by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Applications must address the conservation and restoration needs of habitat(s) and species consistent with ecological priorities and principles identified by the Board.

What is Metro?

Metro works with communities, businesses and residents in the Portland metropolitan area to chart a wise course for the future while protecting the things we love about this place.

Where is Metro?

Metro serves more than 1.7 million people in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties. The agency's boundary encompasses Portland, Oregon and 23 other cities – from the Columbia River in the north to the bend of the Willamette River near Wilsonville, and from the foothills of the Coast Range near Forest Grove to the banks of the Sandy River at Troutdale.

Nature in Neighborhoods Grants

Nature in Neighborhoods grants support community projects and programs across the region, from local park improvements to stream restoration to hands-on nature education for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Grant programs under Nature in Neighborhoods include:

• Nature education
• Restoration and community stewardship
• Capital
• Community choice

Grants are designed to support communities of color and other communities who have experienced barriers to accessing Metro grant funding in the past.

Nature Education Grants

Metro's Nature in Neighborhoods community grants provide opportunities to connect people with nature across greater Portland. The nature education grants are offered every two years.

Purpose of Grants

Nature education and outdoor experiences grants support and create partnerships in local communities that improve water quality, restore fish and wildlife habitat and connect people with nature. These grants prioritize programs that advance racial equity, diversity and inclusion, make communities more resilient to climate change and include greater community engagement.

Potential Projects

Funding is available for projects that promote cultural, environmental and economic equity. As examples, projects could:

• build relationships and partnerships that promote nature education and outdoor experiences by and for people of color
• increase the number of visitors and staff at parks and natural areas who represent diverse racial, ethnic and cultural groups and other historically and continually marginalized groups
• develop the capacity of organizations that serve people of color to lead nature education and cultural programs in parks and natural areas
• support outdoor nature programs that include family and community collaboration and culturally specific organizations that center people of color, specifically support programs that are led by and for these communities
• integrate outdoor nature education with school-based and science, technology, engineering and math curriculum
• support community engagement and nature education programs that include hands-on restoration activities to improve fish and wildlife habitat in local communities
• support mentorship, youth corps and job skill development or otherwise prepare participants for continuing careers or higher education in natural resources, nature education or other nature-related science, technology, engineering or math fields.

Oregon Agricultural Heritage Program

Oregon’s well-managed agricultural lands are the cornerstone of the state’s rural communities. They support valuable fish and wildlife habitats and enhance other natural resources. Yet farms and ranches are increasingly challenged by fragmentation of farmland, conversion of farmland to non farm uses, complex regulations, and planning for generational transfers.

The State Legislature established the Oregon Agricultural Heritage Program (OAHP) in 2017 to help address these challenges. The program provides voluntary incentives to farmers and ranchers to support practices that maintain or enhance both agriculture and natural resources such as fish and wildlife on agricultural lands. OAHP was developed by a collaboration of organizations representing natural resource conservation and agriculture, including farmer and rancher representatives.

Working Lands Conservation Covenants and Easements

The purpose of a working land conservation covenant or easement funded through OAHP is to preserve and protect the continued use of working land for agricultural purposes, and maintain or enhance fish or wildlife habitat, water quality, or other natural resource values on the land.