OWEB Small Grant Projects

OWEB Small Grant Projects

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB)
Amount: Up to US $20,000
Last Updated: February 07, 2026

Summary

The OWEB Small Grant Projects support local restoration initiatives across Oregon, offering up to $20,000 for on-the-ground projects that enhance water quality, aquatic species, and wildlife habitats. This competitive program encourages community engagement and prioritizes initiatives that demonstrate watershed benefits and adhere to specific project guidelines. Eligible applicants include tribes, watershed councils, and local agencies committed to sustainable practices that align with the Oregon Conservation Strategy.

Overview

Background The Small Grant Program is an easy-to-engage-in, competitive grant program that awards grant funding for on-the-ground restoration projects principally carried out on private lands across Oregon. This program responds to a need for local decision-making about watershed restoration opportunities on a shorter timeframe than is available under OWEB’s regular grant program. The Small Grant Program enables landowners across the state to contribute to the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds and the Oregon Conservation Strategy by committing “small acts of kindness” on their properties for the benefit of water quality, water quantity, and fish and wildlife. From planting native plants along stream sides to reducing sedimentation and erosion from upland farms and ranches, citizens everywhere can make a difference. Small Grant Projects Small Grant Projects is an easy-to-engage-in, competitive grant program that awards up to $20,000 for on-the-ground restoration projects principally carried out on private lands across Oregon. Offered: Small Grant Teams set the application window for their Small Grant Area. At a minimum, all Teams must conduct reviews on submitted applications four times in the state fiscal year (July 1 through June 30). Eligible Projects Project Sites Projects may occur on sites owned by private landowners, not-for-profit institutions, schools, community colleges, state institutions of higher education, independent not-for-profit institutions of higher education, or local, state, or federal agencies.​​​ Fish Passage Remove Irrigation or Push-Up Dams: Install alternatives (e.g., infiltration galleries, point-of-diversion transfers) or convert from gravity diversion to pumpsRemove and/or Replace Culverts (as a condition of funding, such projects require Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) or Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) technical review and approval, or tribal government review and approval for projects on Tribal Trust Lands, using a standard OWEB form; and for culverts under state roads, a 50% Oregon Department of Transportation match)Remove or Replace Stream Crossings (as a condition of funding, such projects require ODFW or ODF technical review and approval, or tribal government review and approval for projects on Tribal Trust Lands, using a standard OWEB form)​ Urban Impact Install Storm Water Runoff Treatments (e.g., create bioswales, pervious surfaces, native plant buffers, green roofs) where vegetation has exceeded its design life;Employ Integrated Pest Management in conjunction with a restoration project.​ Riparian Process and Function Manage Nutrient and Sediment Inputs: Fence out livestock or develop alternative watering sites.Manage Vegetation: Control weeds (in conjunction with a restoration project), or plant native wetland species.Restore Wetlands: Excavate or remove fill, or eliminate drainage structures.​Employ Integrated Pest Management in conjunction with a restoration project.​ Wetland Process and Function Manage Nutrient and Sediment Inputs: Fence out livestock or develop alternative watering sitesManage Vegetation: Control weeds (in conjunction with a restoration project), or plant native wetland speciesRestore Wetlands: Excavate or remove fill, or eliminate drainage structuresEmploy Integrated Pest Management in conjunction with a restoration project.​ ​Instream Process and Function Improve Instream Habitat: Place large wood, boulders, or salmon carcasses.Manage Erosion: Bioengineer stream banks, slope stream banks, or develop water gaps, streambank barbs.Eradicate or control exotic aquatic species.​ Private Road Impact Reduction Decommission Roads.Improve Surface Drainage: surface road drainage improvements, gravel surfacing, stream crossings.​ Upland Process and Functi​​on Manage Erosion on Agricultural Lands: terrace land, employ laser leveling, create windbreaks, install sediment basins (WASCBs), develop filter strips/grassed waterways, manage mud (e.g., gravel high-use areas, develop paddocks), seed bare areas (OWEB may require a grazing management plan, if appropriate, prior to release of funds. For post-fire areas, seed only where natural regeneration is unlikely — e.g., on slopes of 30% or more — or where it can be demonstrated that seeding would retard or prevent the spread of noxious weeds), or reduce tillage.Manage Nutrient and Sediment Inputs to Streams through the management of grazing, vegetation cover, or animal waste.Manage Vegetation: prescribed burning, except when conducted as part of a commercial harvest; noncommercial thinning; control/remove juniper (except late seral/old growth); plant or seed (native upland species or native beneficial mixes preferred); or control weeds (in conjunction with a restoration project). Projects for prescribed burning to reduce fuel loads require Oregon Department of Forestry technical review and approval, or tribal government review and approval for projects on Tribal Trust Lands, using a standard OWEB form.Manage Wildlife: install water guzzlers.Employ Integrated Pest Management in conjunction with a restoration project.​ Water Quantity/Irrigation Efficiency Recharge Groundwater, such as through infiltration galleries, infiltration basins, roof water harvesting, or similar practices;Implement Irrigation Practices (e.g., pipe existing ditch, install the permanent components of drip or sprinkler systems, install automated soil moisture sensors where water and electrical savings can be documented, or recover or eliminate tailwater). Such projects must either not adversely impact the current level of groundwater in a Groundwater Management Area, or must measurably reduce the diversion of water at the point of diversion. As a condition of funding, irrigation efficiency projects require local watermaster technical review and approval, or tribal government review and approval for projects on Tribal Trust Lands, using a standard OWEB form. Landowner agreements with irrigation efficiency projects require affirmation that the landowner and/or irrigation district agree that water conserved with the project shall remain instream. For projects involving the improvement of irrigation practices for the benefit of water quality, the application shall describe how sediment, nutrients, bacteria, or waste is entering a water body along with sediment and nutrient load calculations.​

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Applicant Eligibility An applicant must be a tribe, watershed council, or soil and water conservation district or other eligible entities such as, not-for-profit institutions, schools, community colleges, state institutions of higher education, independent not-for-profit institutions of higher education, and local, state, or federal agencies. ​Project RequirementsOn-the-ground restoration project in OregonClearly demonstrates watershed benefit to aquatic species, wildlife, or watershed healthUses and clearly identifies (by practice code or page number and paragraph) in the small grant application technical guidance from at least one of the six approved sourcesConsistent with the Small Grant Team’s priority watershed concerns and current list of eligible project typesDemonstrates 25% secured match funding, based on the total OWEB awardDistinct and different from projects already funded (or being considered for funding) by OWEBAdheres to Small Grant Administrative Rules