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Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants

Planning and conservation    Natural areas, parks and trails    Protecting habitat and water    Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants

Metro is seeking applications for projects that re-green and re-nature neighborhoods.

Program status

The Metro Council approved four projects for grant funding in August 2009. The next review of full applications is planned for November 2009.

The Portland metropolitan area is expanding. This growth increases pressure on water quality and fish and wildlife habitat. How can our region achieve a balance between development and conservation? What are the best ways to improve ecological functions within our growing urban areas? How can existing neighborhoods increase the presence of nature? The Metro Council is seeking creative answers to these questions through the Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants program.

The Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants program is funded by Metro's natural areas bond measure, approved by voters in 2006. Learn more

Who can apply

Neighborhoods and community groups, nonprofit organizations, schools, cities, counties and public park providers are invited to apply.Download the application handbook below

Photograph of a neighborhood work party

Project eligibility

Projects must either purchase land or make improvements to real property that result in a capital asset with a life of at least 20 years and with a total value of at least $50,000. See the handbook for more information.

Match criteria

The applicant must match grant funds with outside funding or in-kind services equivalent to twice the grant request.

Begin the application process with a letter of inquiry

A letter of inquiry is an essential first step in the application process. A clearly written letter will help Metro staff understand how well a proposed project matches the key criteria of the grant program. There are no deadlines for submission. See program handbook for instructions and forms.

Completing the application process

Metro staff will evaluate letters of inquiry and invite full applications if key criteria, eligibility requirements and the overall intent of the program are met. The Metro Council's grant review committee will evaluate full applications at least once yearly. The deadline for the next review cycle of invited applications has been set for November 1, 2009.

How will applications be evaluated?

Metro staff will screen full applications, conduct site visits and present the proposals to the grant review committee. The committee will make award recommendations to the Metro Council for those applications that meet the current deadline. The Metro Council makes all final grant awards. Learn more about the review committee

Key threshold criteria

  • "Re-nature" neighborhoods by increasing the presence and function of ecological processes.
  • "Re-green" urban neighborhoods to enrich peoples' experience of nature and help strengthen a physical connection to the region's ecology.
  • Demonstrate multiple benefits for people and natural systems.
  • Demonstrate cost-efficient ecological design solutions.
  • Increase the region's fish and wildlife inventory.
  • Restore and/or improve habitats of concern.
  • Provide universal access to the public.

The program handbook has more detailed information about the key criteria as well as supplemental criteria and project success factors.

Need assistance?

Mary Rose Navarro
503-797-1781
maryrose.navarro@oregonmetro.gov

Related Documents

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Files that are downloadable from this page

Related Links

Nature in Neighborhoods 2009 capital grant awards

Read about the projects awarded $1 million in funding from Metro's voter-approved natural areas bond measure. Find out how residents are re-greening and restoring nature in their neighborhoods.

Nature in Neighborhoods 2008 capital grant awards

See the projects awarded funding from Metro's voter-approved natural areas bond measure. Find out how residents are re-greening and restoring nature in their neighborhoods.

Capital grants review committee

The Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants review committee evaluates capital grant applications and makes award recommendations to the Metro Council.

Nature in Neighborhoods

Capital grant project
This project will transform a historic property in North Portland's Humboldt neighborhood into the Conservation Corner, an outdoor classroom and living laboratory. The project will enhance residents' appreciation of how natural features can be incorporated into the landscape and provide people with new ideas to try at home.

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Metro
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Portland, OR 97232-2736
503-797-1700
503-797-1804 TDD
503-797-1797 fax