The Community Watershed Stewardship Program supports community groups and citizens who want to improve the health of Portland watersheds. The program is a partnership between Portland’s Environmental Services, Portland State University, and Northwest Service Academy (NWSA) AmeriCorps.
How To Get Involved in Stewardship Activities
- Volunteer for restoration and service events like tree plantings and cleanups;
- Participate in local watershed events including workshops, classes and watershed recreation;
- Request free educational programs. Click here for available programs and contact information.
- Apply for a stewardship grant. The deadline to apply for a 2009 grant has passed. Environmental Services will accept 2010 applications next year. Click here for the application. Click here to see a sample application.
If you want to get more involved in stewardship activities or have a great idea for a stewardship project and need technical or financial support, please contact us:
Stewardship Program
Jennifer Devlin, 503-823-6182
Stewardship Grants
Emily Rice, 503-823-7917
Kate Carone, 503-823-7917
Click here to email the CSWP Team.
For project ideas, contact your local watershed council, neighborhood association, or City of Portland Environmental Services Watershed Planning Staff.
Local Watershed Groups
Links to Portland Neighborhood Associations
http://www.portlandonline.com/oni/index.cfm?c=28380
Environmental Services Watershed Planning Staff
For permission regarding projects on:
- Portland Public Schools (PPS) property - must obtain a letter of support from PPS facilities (Nancy Bond, 503-916-2000 x4279, nbond@pps.k12.or.us). Please allow PPS two months to review your request.
- Portland Parks and Recreation (PPR) property - must fill out the citizen initiated project request on PPR's website www.portlandonline.com/parks/index.cfm?c=46373 and have a letter of support from PPR (Kellie Torres Walker, kellie.torreswalker@ci.portland.or.us 503-823-5589). Please allow PPR three months to review your request.
How to Get Started
The deadline to apply for 2009 grants has passed. Environmental Services will accept grant applications again in 2010.
The Community Watershed Stewardship Program can provide up to $10,000 per project to groups willing to implement projects that encourage watershed protection and enhancement. Stronger grant applications will show a commitment to continued maintenance of the project site or area and show how the grant proposal is a part of a larger watershed enhancement project.
Grants are awarded annually through a merit-based competitive process. Groups may apply for stewardship grants in consecutive years, but since the program seeks to involve new partners in watershed stewardship, those projects that involve new community members in subsequent years are more likely to receive funding. Applicants may receive funding for projects initiated by another group in a different funding year, but proposals should show continuity of vision and reflect the purpose of the original project.
What You Need To Apply For A Grant
- You need a good idea, a sound plan, and the ability to implement a project and to manage a budget.
- You will also need a fiscal agent who can process checks and provide insurance.
- Citizen groups, businesses, non-profits, student groups, neighborhood, business or homeowner associations, and service groups are encouraged to apply.
- Projects that take the place of required mitigation or penalty payments are not eligible for funding.
- Government agencies are not eligible to apply, but can be a project partner.
Join Your Friends And Neighbors
Any project within Portland’s city limits that promotes citizen involvement in watershed stewardship and the health of urban streams will be considered for funding. Stronger proposals will include support from multiple partners, such as neighborhood associations, watershed councils, and other agencies or groups.
Project Examples
- Education/Monitoring–utilizes community resources as a teaching tool, involves community members, and has a high impact on a broad segment of the community;or uses established monitoring protocol to collect data with a commitment to use it as part of a larger watershed enhancement project.
- Ecoroofs – are vegetated roof systems that replace conventional roofs and collect, filter and evaporate rainfall, and reduce stormwater runoff.
- Stormwater Features – include infiltration projects like bioswales and porous paving.
- Restoration– includes the removal of non-native invasive plants and restoration site maintenance.
- Naturescaping – enhances the nearby waterway or upland area through planting and native plant propagation.
Grant Policy
Who Is Eligible To Apply?
Community Watershed Stewardship Grants will only pay for work performed in the City of Portland. Other government agencies are not eligible for stewardship grants.
Where Are Projects Funded?
Since Portland sewer ratepayers support the grants program, all grants must benefit Portland residents. Projects on private or public property must be easily accessible or visible to the general public. Projects on private property must show a clear public benefit as well as an environmental benefit to local watersheds.
What Must Groups Do In Order To Apply?
Groups must provide their own insurance coverage for staff and volunteers and must list the City of Portland as additionally insured. It is not appropriate for an individual citizen to process checks or to carry the groups’ liability insurance. Applicants must enlist a fiscal agent (such as a neighborhood coalition, school, or non-profit organization) to do so unless the applicant is a business or registered non-profit. Upon grant award, the fiscal agent must provide proof of general insurance coverage and worker’s compensation insurance. Include a letter from your fiscal agent in Part D of the application.
Make sure that the fiscal agent selected can offer these services before submitting your application.
How And When Can Funds Be Spent?
- All grant funds ($10,000 maximum per project) must be spent during the city’s fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008 and ending June 30, 2009. Funds are available after the fiscal agent and the City finalize the grant contract. Funds are dispersed as a reimbursement to the fiscal agent upon receipt of invoices for approved budget items and copies of receipts.
- Up to $3,000 can be spent on contracted services including technical assistance, project coordination, fees paid to fiscal agents, liability insurance, consultants, educators, graphic design, bus drivers, substitute teachers, AmeriCorps or EnviroCorps fees, and other fees or taxes. There is no requirement that groups spend grant funds on such services. Contracted services above $3,000 must be paid from another source.
- All plants purchased with grant funding must be native to the Willamette Valley and found on the Portland Plant List (www.portlandonline.com/shared/cfm/image.cfm?id=58951).
- Funds cannot be spent on insecticides or herbicides, or entertainment.
- There is a $200 allowance for food and refreshments for volunteers and work parties.
What Must The Grantee Do To Be A Successful Partner?
All grant projects must produce mid-year and final reports. Contents of the report include quantitative and qualitative evaluations of the project; before, during and after photos of the project site; and original clippings or recordings of any media coverage or other publicity. Volunteers must sign waivers to participate in restoration or enhancement work. Project coordinators must attend an introductory meeting as well as a mid-year meeting in January.
Sample Grant Application
