Nature in Neighborhoods Capital Grants

Nature in Neighborhoods Capital Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Metro
Amount: Up to US $100,000
Last Updated: March 05, 2026

Summary

The Nature in Neighborhoods Capital Grants, provided by Metro, support diverse community projects aimed at enhancing local parks, restoring streams, and promoting nature education. These grants prioritize projects led by community organizations and local governments, focusing on publicly owned capital projects that advance racial equality and climate resilience. With funding available for land acquisition and urban transformations, the program seeks to engage communities and foster connections with nature throughout the greater Portland area.

Overview

What is Metro? Metro works with communities, businesses and residents in the Portland metropolitan area to chart a wise course for the future while protecting the things we love about this place. Where is Metro? Metro serves more than 1.7 million people in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties. The agency's boundary encompasses Portland, Oregon and 23 other cities – from the Columbia River in the north to the bend of the Willamette River near Wilsonville, and from the foothills of the Coast Range near Forest Grove to the banks of the Sandy River at Troutdale. Nature in Neighborhoods Grants Nature in Neighborhoods grants support community projects and programs across the region, from local park improvements to stream restoration to hands-on nature education for people of all ages and backgrounds. Grant programs under Nature in Neighborhoods include: Nature educationRestoration and community stewardshipCapitalCommunity choice Grants are designed to support communities of color and other communities who have experienced barriers to accessing Metro grant funding in the past. Capital Grants Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants fund a wide variety of projects. The program provides three year grants to projects led by community organizations, park providers, local governments and other organizations. The grants are for publicly owned capital projects. It also must meet criteria listed in the 2019 bond, including advancing racial equality, preparing the region for climate change and conducting meaningful community engagement. Project types Projects eligible for the Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants fall into four major categories: Land Acquisition Land acquisition projects can transform privately owned property into the next great neighborhood natural area and preserve special places in communities across the greater Portland area. The Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants have protected local assets that aren’t covered by Metro’s regional efforts to buy natural areas. As a tried-and-true conservation tool, land acquisition provides a straightforward way to make a difference. Purchasing land can be the first step in a community’s mission to open a nature park, build trails or restore habitat.Urban transformationsA little creativity and determination can go a long way toward weaving nature into the most urban development and infrastructure projects. Urban transformations bring nature to even the most urban areas. Although these projects tend to have the biggest price tags, they also have some of the biggest benefits for their communitiesRestorationConservation groups and local governments have no shortage of restoration projects on their wish lists. The challenge: finding funding to make them happen. With a boost from Nature in Neighborhoods grants, restoration efforts are improving the health of floodplains and watershed basins across the region. Although these projects improve habitat for fish, amphibians and other animals, many are also designed to improve the experience for the community.Neighborhood livabilityPublic land in neighborhoods can become a place for people to experience and enjoy nature. Neighborhood natural areas give people a place to walk, reflect and connect with nature. Nature in Neighborhoods grants are helping communities create and transform outdoor destinations close to homes and schools. Unlike big regional natural areas, neighborhood projects typically don’t protect large blocks of threatened wildlife habitat. But, by preserving nature down the street, they forge a connection between people and the natural world.

Eligibility

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