Nature in Neighborhoods conservation education grants available for projects that connect people with nature

Want to teach people about nature, create local community partnerships or foster leaders to connect people with water quality, fish and wildlife habitat in the Portland metropolitan area?  Do you need funding to make your idea a reality? Apply for Metro’s Nature in Neighborhoods conservation education grants.

Small grants up to $25,000 and large grants up to $100,000 will support partnerships that connect communities with nature. A wide variety of projects can fit the bill, from nature education for school-aged children in local natural areas to job skill development for nature-based careers to implementation of region-wide conservation education initiatives. Wherever you live, you can bring people closer to the natural world.

Conservation education programs that benefit Metro-area residents are eligible. Individuals, community groups, businesses, neighborhoods, nonprofits, schools and school groups, government agencies, faith groups and service groups with nonprofit or other tax-exempt status can all apply.

Fill out a simple application by Jan. 14, 2014 at www.oregonmetro.gov/grants. Your proposal will be reviewed by Metro staff and professionals with backgrounds in restoration, conservation education, grant management, finance, volunteer coordination, project planning and community partnerships. Finalists will be invited to submit a detailed application and, in May, the Metro Council will award about $700,000 to conservation education projects across the region.

Funding for Nature in Neighborhoods grants more than doubled this year, thanks to voter approval of Metro’s parks and natural areas levy in May. The levy includes $3.7 million during the next five years to support community partnerships.

To learn more and ask questions, attend a grant workshop from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14 at Metro Regional Center, 600 NE Grand Ave. in Portland.

You can also contact grants coordinator Crista Gardner at Crista.gardner@oregonmetro.gov or visit www.oregonmetro.gov/grants.

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