Environmental Services is seeking proposals for community-based projects that benefit neighborhoods and communities while also improving the health of Portland’s environment. The Community Watershed Stewardship Program (CWSP) provides grants of up to $10,000. Short, one-page pre-applications are due by Friday, February 14, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. Please note, this grant deadline is six weeks earlier than in past years. 

Projects that can be funded include:

•           Neighborhood safety, health and livability

•           Youth leadership and skills development

•           Community gardens, green space projects and tree planting

•           Art and education

•           Cleanup and restoration

•           Stormwater management such as ecoroofs and parking lot swales

Bridlemile Creek Stewards, past CWSP grant recipients

What does neighborhood safety have to do with watershed health?

Just ask the people who live near SE 82nd and Woodstock. Out of concern for public safety and criminal activity in a particular parking lot, they formed a neighborhood group, “Our Happy Block Coalition”.  The volunteer group received a CWSP grant in 2011 for a project that removed 4,300 square feet of asphalt and replaced it with native plant rain gardens. These new facilities now soak up 370,000 gallons of stormwater runoff each year, diverting it from the city’s combined sewer system and naturally absorbing it into the ground. The project also included creating a mural, and closing one entrance to the parking lot, which decreased crime. As a result, there is increased public safety in the area. In the first year of the project, there was a 57% drop in calls to the police. There is also greater safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and children. They now have a more beautiful, vibrant neighborhood and a stronger, more connected community.

Our Happy Block mural and planting

We have a new application process!

We now ask for a short pre-application by February 14. Project proposals that fit CWSP goals will be invited to complete the full application, due April 15. This will allow us to better support applicants throughout the process.

Interested?

CWSP is committed to supporting applicants throughout the process, so don’t let limited experience writing grants or with environmental work in general stop you from applying. For help developing project ideas and putting together an application contact Rosa Lehman at 503-823-7917 or rosa.lehman@portlandoregon.gov. For application materials and more information see www.portlandonline.com/bes/stewardship.

CWSP encourages applications for projects that involve the leadership and meaningful participation of people of color, immigrants, elders, youth, those with disabilities, low-income residents, and other underrepresented groups.

Need help developing project ideas or filling out your application? Join BES staff at one of three grant workshops:

Saturday, January 18 @ Holgate Library, 7905 SE Holgate Boulevard

2 pm to 3:30 pm

Thursday, January 23 @ East Portland Community Center, 740 SE 106th

7 pm to 8:30 pm

Monday, January 27@ Kenton Library, 8226 N Denver

6 pm to 7:30 pm