December 1, 2015

Environmental Services is accepting proposals for community-based projects that will benefit neighborhoods and improve watershed health in Portland in 2016. The Community Watershed Stewardship Program (CWSP) provides grants of up to $10,000 for projects.

CWSP encourages applications for projects led by people of color, immigrants, elders, youth, people with disabilities, low-income residents and other under-represented groups.

This year, CWSP grants funded 13 community projects. Past projects improved neighborhood livability and developed community leadership by constructing rain gardens to manage stormwater runoff, restoring native plants to improve wildlife habitat, and cleaning up and restoring natural areas.

“This grant program inspires people to take personal ownership of watershed health,” said City Commissioner Nick Fish. “Each grant is an investment that creates a community partnership. Our experience shows every grant dollar spent generates three dollars in volunteer time and in-kind contributions.”

CWSP is a partnership between Environmental Services and Portland State University. Since the program began in 1995, CWSP has granted more than $1 million for watershed projects and helped organize more than 40,000 volunteers to work on community projects.

Applicants propose projects by submitting a one-page, pre-application form. The pre-application deadline is 4:00 p.m. Friday, February 5, 2016. Staff reviews project proposals and invites selected applicants to submit a full application. Go to www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/CWSP for more program information and application forms.

Getting Help with Grant Proposals

For help developing project ideas and putting together an application, contact Jessica Rojas at 503-823-7917 or jessica.rojas@portlandoregon.gov. Environmental Services has also scheduled three free grant workshops to answer questions and help with applications:

1. Tuesday, December 29
   6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
   Kenton Library, 8226 N Denver
2. Wednesday, January 6
   6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
   Midland Library, 805 SE 122nd
3. Monday, January 27
   6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
   Hollywood Library, 4040 NE Tillamook 

For more information contact Linc Mann, 503-823-5328.

The Bureau of Environmental Services works with Portland residents and businesses to protect water quality, public health, and the environment through wastewater collection and treatment, sewer construction and maintenance, stormwater management, and stream and watershed restoration.

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