Financial Assistance

Services

Funding for conservation projects

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

  • Cost share

    We can sometimes share the cost of priority 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 have annual grants available for Partner Funding and for School, Demonstration, and Community Gardens.

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

    Learn more about OWEB Small Grant Program

  • Federal funding

    We help connect land managers 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 cost-share funding:

    • Inquire about conservation planning and funding.

      Contact us

    • Develop a conservation plan.

      Work with one of our conservationists to develop a conservation plan or forest stewardship plan. If you fit within one of our priority funding areas, the planning process will include:

      • Conservation actions you can start on right away.
      • A cost-share budget and timeline for the project.

    • Review and sign a cost-share agreement.

    • Implement your project. 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 grants

    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.

    Learn more about our Partner Funding grants. Applications typically open in the late fall of each year for grant awards the following July.

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

    Staff contact

    For questions related to partner funding within the City of Portland, contact our Urban Conservationist. For questions related to partner funding outside the City of Portland, in other parts of our district, contact our Senior Conservationist. For questions related to cost-share funding, contact the staff conservationist covering your area of interest.

    Kammy Kern-Korot

    (she/her)

    Senior Conservationist

    Contact me about:

    Oregon oak, savanna, wetlands and riparian habitats; Emerald Ash and Mediterranean Oak Borers; conservation planning and native plantings for pollinators and other wildlife on rural lands.
    503-238-4775
    x 108
    971-265-9870

    Laura Taylor

    Forest Conservationist

    Contact me about:

    Forest and woodland health; Wildfire risk in rural forests; Plants; Pollinators.
    503-238-4775
    x 112
    971-265-9873

    Scott Gall

    Farm & Soil Conservationist

    Contact me about:

    Soil health; Farms and livestock; Equity and inclusion
    503-238-4775
    x 105
    971-265-9868