Financial Assistance

Services

Funding for conservation projects

We offer a variety of funding models for eligible projects in our district.

  • Cost share

    We share the cost of projects outlined in a conservation plan, which is typically developed in collaboration with our staff. Plans may cover forest, riparianRiparian areas The land alongside a creek, river, pond, or other body of water, farm, and special habitat land, such as wetlands, Oregon oak savanna, and open areas used to support pollinators and other wildlife. Participants on average cover 25-75% of costs, some of which can be provided in the form of labor, equipment usage, or similar contribution.

  • Grants

    We can help participants develop applications for small grants with the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board.

    Learn more about OWEB Small Grant Program
  • Federal funding

    We help connect participants to federal funding through the Natural Resources Conservation Service for projects that are part of an approved conservation plan. Priority projects include Oregon oak habitat, forest health, soil health, and urban-wildland interface/wildfire risk reduction, typically on 10 acres or greater.

    Learn more about State Programs and Initiatives
  • Cost savings

    We can help access other kinds of cost savings for conservation projects such as free or wholesale-priced native plants or donated materials.

On this page:

    How to access funding:

    • Contact us to inquire about funding

    • Develop a conservation plan

      Work with one of our conservationists to develop a conservation plan or forest stewardship plan. The planning process will include:

      • Projects you can start on right away.
      • A cost-share budget for the project.
    • Review and sign a cost-share agreement. That’s it!

    Grants for gardens

    Supporting school, community, and demonstration gardens is an important part of our Urban Conservation services. We offer grants for community and demonstration gardens in our district. We help schools secure funding through The Oregon Farm to School and School Garden Network.

    Contact us for more information about building or maintaining a school, community, or demonstration garden.

    Partner funding

    We provide modest financial assistance to partner organizations that are efficiently and effectively doing work that supports our mission. In general, we aim to fund existing programs and provide operational support for partner organizations. In some cases, funding may involve a specific scope of work that we will develop in collaboration with our partners.

    Eligibility Criteria

    For an organization to be considered for project funding, the partner must:

    See this year’s recipients of partnership funds in our current annual report.

    Staff contact

    For questions related to funding within the City of Portland, contact our Urban Conservationist. For questions related to funding outside the City of Portland, in other parts of our district, contact our Senior Conservationist.

    Mary Logalbo

    Urban Conservationist


    Contact me about:

    Urban services; Stormwater & erosion; Partner funding; School & community gardens; Plants; Equity efforts; Wildfire risk on urban forests; our Long Range Business Plan.
    503-238-4775
    x 103

    Kammy Kern-Korot

    Senior Conservationist


    Contact me about:

    Oregon oak, savanna, wetlands and riparian habitats; Emerald ash borer; conservation planning and native plantings for pollinators and other wildlife on rural lands.
    503-238-4775
    x 108

    Current funding opportunities

    We accept applications for partner funding each year. Please check our News for updates on new funding opportunities.