Nature in Neighborhoods Capital Grants

Nature in Neighborhoods Capital Grants is sponsored by Metro. These grants fund publicly owned capital projects across greater Portland that enhance local ecosystems and promote community engagement. Projects typically focus on restoring fish and wildlife habitats, fostering partnerships, and addressing environmental justice.

Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants | Metro Use the left and right arrow keys to move between sections. 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. Funded through the 2019 Parks and Nature bond and codified in Resolution No. 19-4988, 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." 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 transformations . A 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 communities Restoration . Conservation 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 livability . Public 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.

Capital grants are intended to support community-driven initiatives; therefore, partnerships are key to a successful proposal. Tribal governments, public schools, non-profits, community-based organizations, local governments and special districts can apply for grants. The final capital asset must be publicly owned by a state or local government.

2026 Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants pre-application handbook 2026 Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants pre-application workshop 2026 Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants full application handbook Expand to see all documents 2016 Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants program evaluation 2016 Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants program evaluation, executive summary Pre-application workshop meeting recording Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants awardees 2016-25 Metro Council awards more than $26 million in parks and nature grants Metro awards funds to 42 parks and nature projects across greater Portland.