Nature in Neighborhoods grant applications due January 13, 2015
Nature in Neighborhoods conservation education grants available
Do you have an idea to connect people with nature? Teach people about water quality, fish and wildlife habitat or to support healthier communities? A conservation education grant from Metro’s Nature in Neighborhoods program could help your program grow.
Small grants up to $25,000 and large grants up to $100,000 are available for projects that connect neighborhoods with nature. A wide variety of projects can fit the bill, such as nature education for school-aged children, job training or internships for nature-based careers, or building capacity for groups to connect their communities to nearby natural areas. Please fill out a simple pre-application by Jan. 13, 2015 at www.oregonmetro.gov/grants.
Want to see examples of successful applicants?
Want to be inspired? We’ve featured a few of our fantastic 2014 Nature in Neighborhoods Conservation Education grantees in these short films here: Nadaka Nature Park and Centro Cultural. Read here the Our Big Backyard article about OakQuest. For examples of successful applications, we’ve posted a few of our favorites here: Oakquest, Slough School, and Siskiyou Field Lab.
Interested in reviewing grants?
Join the conservation education grant review committee! Please submit a resume and cover letter by December 1, 2014.
Need help? Resources to help you with your applications
Please find a copy of the workshop’s Nature in Neighborhoods conservation education grants presentation and several others resources here, including videos, articles and applications of awarded projects for inspiration, and the partnership connector survey tool to help find partners.
Want additional help with your pre-application? Make an appointment to meet with Metro staff to discuss your application ideas during the week of Jan. 5–9, 2015, contact Oriana at Oriana.Quackenbush@oregonmetro.gov or (503)797-1834.
Attend the free Portland Metro STEM Partnership Workshop, including an introduction to the Next Generation Science Standards and personalized look at your curriculum/programming by Teachers on Special Assignment: Friday, Dec. 5, 2014, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Portland Metro STEM Partnership, 18624 NW 185th Ave., Entrance B, Beaverton, OR 97006. http://pdxstem.org/ Please RSVP via this form.
If you have additional questions, please visit at www.oregonmetro.gov/grants or contact Crista Gardner at Crista.Gardner@oregonmetro.gov or Heather Nelson Kent at HeatherNelson.Kent@oregonmetro.gov.
Thank you,
Crista
Crista M. Gardner
Grants Coordinator | Natural Areas Program
Metro | 600 NE Grand Avenue | Portland, OR 97232
p: 503-797-1627 | crista.gardner@oregonmetro.gov
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Additional programs and upcoming grant opportunities
For your information, below we have listed programs and upcoming grant opportunities that might be relevant to the great work you do!
Metro’s It’s Our Nature outdoor immersion series offers a year-long field trip series for adults to immerse themselves in the region’s natural areas and learn about natural history topics including geology, tracking, birding and ethnobotany. www.oregonmetro.gov
Metro’s Natural Areas Education program assists thousands of children and adults to visit Metro’s parks and natural areas on school field trips and for summer programs every year. Discover local birds, plants and animals with a little help from Metro naturalists and biologists. Find out how and where to watch wildlife and learn about the unique plants and geology of our region. Metro staff naturalists lead these activities and program with volunteer naturalists to make these wonderful experiences possible. www.oregonmetro.gov/fieldtrips
The Community Watershed Stewardship Program (CWSP) supports Portlanders who want to improve the health of Portland watersheds. CWSP is a partnership between Portland’s Environmental Services and Portland State University. CWSP provides up to $10,000 for projects such as: Youth leadership and job skills programs; Adding plants and trees to your neighborhood, school or church; Cleanup and restoration of parks, playgrounds and streams; Community gardens; Replacing pavement with native plants; and Environmental education and art projects. Pre-applications due in February 6, 2015. www.portlandoregon.gov/bes
The Partners in Conservation (PIC) program provides funding to support conservation projects and conservation education in the East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District. $5,000-$100,000 grants awarded annually to organizations, governments, and educational institutions. In order to be eligible for funding, projects or events must be located within the District (Multnomah County lying east of the Willamette River) and fit one or more of the following categories: soil erosion prevention/control, soil health, environmental education, water quality, water conservation, watershed health or habitat restoration. Applications due Monday, December 15, 2014. Attend a workshop on October 22 or November 13, 2014. More information and application materials can be found here: http://emswcd.org/grants-and-cost-share/
The Small Projects and Community Events (SPACE) Program provides grants of up to $1,500 to support conservation projects, conservation education, and community events that promote natural resource conservation in the East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, government agencies, and Native American tribes. The types of projects/events that are eligible for SPACE Program funding include on-the-ground restoration or conservation projects, pollution prevention projects, education of youth and/or adults, and community events focused on improving the public’s understanding of natural resource conservation. Completed application forms are due on the 15th of the month. Guidelines and materials can be found here: http://emswcd.org/grants-and-cost-share/apply/space/
Gray Family Foundation Environmental Education Program seeks to encourage a strong local land ethic, sustainable communities and stewardship of the natural environment by citizens throughout Oregon. The Gray Family Foundation is committed to institutionalizing a series of age-appropriate experiences that build a sense of place and responsibility toward Oregon and the region. Grant applications due January 15(Environmental Professional Development for K-12 application page), June 15 (Outdoor School Programs for 5th and/or 6th graders), and July 15, 2015(Community Field Trips for 5th through 8th graders). www.grayff.org
Every Day Event Grants provide funding to public land organizations, or Friends Groups to engage their community on a public land site. These grants help fund events that are educational, recreational and/or volunteer-based. Sixty Friends Groups will receive grant funding of up to $2,000 each to hold a minimum of three events. The deadline for the Every Day Event Grants is December 18, 2014. To submit a proposal or read the frequently asked questions, visit the http://publiclandseveryday.org/grants/ .