Metro Council awards more than $1 million for nature in neighborhoods projects
Metro news release: Aug. 18, 2009
Contact: Heather Nelson Kent 503-797-1739, mobile 503-860-6145
Reporters note: contact information for grant projects available upon request
The Metro Council announced $1,003,000 in grants for programs that will improve water quality, support local wildlife and increase access to nature for residents. The grant funding comes from the Nature in Neighborhoods capital grant program. Approved projects include a 1.9 acre addition to the Nadaka Nature Park in Gresham's East Wilkes neighborhood, a learning garden at Humbolt Elementary School in North Portland, protection of 14-acres of rare Oregon white oak savanna in West Linn and the planting of thousands of native trees and shrubs along the I-205 bike path by Friends of Trees and Oregon Department of Transportation.
"These new projects are excellent examples of the Nature in Neighborhoods grant program's promise - to create more opportunities to experience nature in urban areas across the region, improve our quality of life and enhance water quality and wildlife habitat," said Metro Councilor Robert Liberty, who helps lead the Metro Council's oversight of the grant program.
The Metro Council established the Nature in Neighborhoods capital grant program as part of the 2006 voter-approved natural areas bond measure. The $227.6 million bond includes $15 million for projects that preserve or enhance natural features and their ecological functions in urban neighborhoods. The grant program also strives to help ensure that every community enjoys clean water and nature as an element of its character and livability. The Metro Council intended for the grants to engage schools, community groups, non-profit organizations, park providers and others in neighborhood projects that benefit nature. The grant program is part of the Metro Council's larger Nature in Neighborhood initiative to protect and preserve wildlife habitat and water quality throughout the Metro area. This is the second group of grants to receive funding with the voter-approved funds.
A committee appointed by the Metro Council reviews grant applications and makes recommendations for funding. The committee includes citizen representatives, local government officials and natural resource experts from across the region with a broad range of expertise.
Details about Metro's 2009 Nature in Neighborhoods Capital Grant Awards
Nadaka Nature Park acquisition
City of Gresham with East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District, Trust for Public Lands, the East Wilkes Neighborhood Association, the Audubon Society of Portland, and St. Aiden's Church
Metro Nature in Neighborhood Capital Grant Program funding: $220,000
Metro will contribute one-third of the appraised value of a 1.9-acre acquisition adjacent to the 10-acre Nadaka Nature Park in Gresham's East Wilkes neighborhood and close to the Rockwood neighborhood. The property acquisition sits along Northeast Glisan Street and the addition will allow public access to the park from a major roadway, improving visibility and access to the hard-to-find natural area. The new park area will be developed with public improvements in the future. The project includes a commitment from the City of Gresham to develop and implement a natural resource management plan for the entire site, improving the natural area's ecological function and enhancing habitat for native wildlife. Active participation from diverse partners - including the East Wilkes Neighborhood Association, nearby St. Aiden's Church members and other residents - will directly involve the community in caring for the nature park in the future.
White oak savanna acquisition
City of West Linn with Oregon Parks & Recreation Department, the Tanner Basin Neighborhood Association and the Trust for Public Lands
Metro Nature in Neighborhood Capital Grant Program funding: $334,000
Metro will contribute one-third of the purchase price to acquire approximately 14 acres of significant Oregon white oak savanna in West Linn to protect, restore and manage as a natural area. Visible from I-205, this acquisition will protect a rare habitat type and secure views for local and regional residents traveling the busy freeway near West Linn. Access to the site will be enhanced through the creation of a soft surface trail which will allow public access to this unique habitat and the site's remarkable views over the Willamette River and across to Canemeh Bluff in Oregon City.
Humboldt Learning Garden
Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership with Portland Public Schools, the Housing Authority of Portland, Humbolt Neighborhood Association and Lewis & Clark College.
Metro Nature in Neighborhood Capital Grant Program funding: $33,686
This project will transform a vacant lot adjacent to Humboldt School into a learning garden accessible to students and nearby residents of Humbolt Garden, a low-income housing development located across the street from the school. Metro's funding will support the collection and re-use of the school's stormwater on site and incorporation of native plants throughout the garden. The project meets one of the Metro Council's key criteria for the capital grant funding because Humboldt School is located in a very urban and park-deficient neighborhood with very few opportunities to add parks or open space.
Greening of the I-205 Corridor
Friends of Trees with Oregon Department of Transportation (Region 1), Verde and community groups along the corridor including Montevilla and Lents neighborhood associations.
Metro Nature in Neighborhood Capital Grant Program funding: $415,436
Trees are cost-effective multi-taskers addressing many environmental and health impacts in urban settings. Trees clean the air, provide wildlife habitat and slow stormwater run-off and soil erosion that can degrade water quality in local rivers and streams. This project includes the planting of 1,300 native trees and 16,000 native shrubs in the I-205 right-of-way over the next three years. Friends of Trees will involve an estimated 2,400 volunteers giving 9,600 hours of time in the tree planting. Project partner Verde will create minority jobs in the nursery industry and expand environmental education to underserved communities of color. Additionally, this project will improve the experience for users of the multi-use bike path and demonstrate the value of planting native trees and shrubs along key transportation corridors. Evaluation and documentation of this effort will be used by Oregon Department of Transportation to inform a statewide discussion about the potential benefits of updating of policies associated with the agency's landscaping standards.
View a list of 2008 capital grant awards
Funding for Metro's Nature in Neighborhoods Capital Grant Program comes from the 2006 voter-approved natural areas bond measure. The program also funds land acquisition and capital improvements that protect water quality and fish and wildlife habitat, enhance trails and wildlife corridors, and provide greater connections to nature in urban areas throughout the Portland metropolitan area. For more information or to find out how to apply for a grant in your neighborhood, visit www.oregonmetro.gov/naturalareas.
Metro, the regional government that serves 1.4 million people who live in the 25 cities and three counties of the Portland metropolitan area, provides planning and other services that protect the nature and livability of our region.
Need assistance?
Related Links
Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants
Metro is seeking applications for projects that re-green and re-nature neighborhoods.