News Release

For more information, contact Linc Mann, 503-823-5328, linc.mann@portlandoregon.gov.

The Community Watershed Stewardship Program (CWSP) will grant $95,500 to 15 community groups this year to support watershed projects in Portland. The Portland City Council approved the grant awards today.

CWSP grants up to $10,000 for projects that encourage watershed protection and enhancement. The grants fund native plants, supplies, equipment, rentals, transportation, and technical assistance for community-based watershed projects. Projects include invasive plant removal, native plantings, education, monitoring, bioswale and ecoroof construction, and natural area cleanup and restoration.

The 15 projects funded by CWSP grants this year are:

• Columbia Slough Watershed Council Wilkes Creek Restoration ($4,840)
• Friends of Force Lake Enhancement Project ($5,500)
• Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple Rain Garden($2,000)
• GROW Portland Eastminster Presbyterian Church Community Garden ($6,700)
• Tryon Creek Watershed Council Mentors Program ($8,000)
• Our Happy Block Coalition Depaving at Calvary Lutheran Church ($7,401)
• Groundwork Portland Green Team ($5,000)
• Xerces Society Freshwater Mussel Monitoring Project ($5,000)
• Depave Escuela Viva Playground Greening ($10,000)
• Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) Intergenerational Community Garden ($8,102)
• Bridger School Rain Garden ($7,000)
• St David's Stormwater Garden ($7,729)
• Grout Elementary Rain Garden ($9,770)
• PSU/ Mt. Tabor Middle School Bioswale Education Project ($3,958)
• Friends of Gateway Green Stewardship Events ($4,500)

CWSP is a partnership between Environmental Services and Portland State University. Since 1995, CWSP has granted more than $885,000 for 192 projects. Grant funds have been matched by $3.1 million in donations of services, materials and volunteer time. Over 39,000 people have donated 317,000 volunteer hours, planted 117,000 native plants and trees, restored over 57 acres of riparian and upland habitat, and enhanced over 36,000 feet of streambanks.