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Clackamas Water Environment Services (WES) is awarding $300,000 in grants through its RiverHealth Stewardship Program to 12 organizations dedicated to the protection of local watersheds.
The grants support a variety of activities that restore habitat, manage invasive plant species, organize community volunteer events, provide watershed science education, and remove trash from waterways while enhancing water quality.
Funding for RiverHealth Stewardship Grants comes from surface water revenue.
The following organizations will receive a combined total of $300,000 in grant funds:
Bob's Red Mill ($26,473) – Will restore 4.5 acres of the Mill's End Wetland by controlling invasive species and planting native vegetation to improve habitat and water quality. The project mitigates runoff from impervious areas by filtering stormwater for treatment.
Clackamas River Basin Council ($29,811) - Will treat noxious weeds on 12.5 acres of riparian habitat and 1,200 linear feet of river and streams. The grant also funds Shade Our Streams stakeholder engagement and outreach programs to streamside residents in the Rock and Sieben Creek watersheds.
Columbia Land Trust and Portland Audubon ($18,135) - The Backyard Habitat Certification Program works with residents to reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides, remove weeds, and plant native vegetation. These actions keep chemicals out of streams, cool the land and water, and help pollinators and birds survive and thrive. Approximately 30 new sites will be added in WES’ district.
Friends of Trees ($30,000) – Will educate and empower landowners and engage youth through hands-on environmental education experiences. Will host three volunteer events, two community workshops, and two education days with students at Oregon Trail Elementary, adjacent to WES' Rose Creek property. It also includes 6.5 acres of riparian restoration along 1,770 linear feet of streams.
Happy Valley Heights HOA ($29,361) - Four homeowners associations will collaborate on riparian treatments to mitigate stormwater runoff impacts from increased impervious areas. The work will be completed on 34 acres along 3,250 linear feet of streams in the Mt Scott Creek, Johnson Creek and Clackamas River basins.
Johnson Creek Watershed Council ($29,490) - Will engage 200 volunteers and six community partners in the Johnson Creek Clean-Up, 300 volunteers in Watershed Wide, including at least 25 at the Luther Road site, 40 participants in Science in the Park, and lead Watershed Discovery Day at Kellogg Creek Park. Will also restore 2 acres along 900 linear feet of Johnson Creek.
Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership ($26,996) - Will design and build facilities that capture and treat stormwater from the Sunnyside Elementary back parking lot. The project will capture runoff from 9,000 square feet of a parking lot and, combined with a previous stormwater retrofit project in the front parking lot, enable the school site to capture and treat almost all parking lot runoff. Will engage students in design and planting.
North Clackamas Watersheds Council ($29,995) - Provide training for landowner stewardship of the Streamside Stewards Program, restoring vital riparian conditions in the Kellogg-Mt. Scott Watershed. Will develop a sustainable model for landowner stewardship of 61 restoration sites that meet both ecological outcome objectives and positions the program for expansion in the future when Kellogg Creek is accessible due to the planned removal of Kellogg Dam.
Northwest Youth Corps ($27,000) - The Northwest Youth Corps Young Women Inclusion Stewardship Program introduces girls ages 15-24 from diverse ethnic and income backgrounds to natural resource-based service. Through activities with Friends of Trees, youth will earn money as they work outdoors, increase their understanding of nature through daily environmental lessons, and acquire academic credit depending on their home school. During the summer, members of Girls, Inc., with their leaders, will conduct work on 6 acres along 1,600 linear feet of streams.
Tualatin River Watershed Council ($26,955) – Will engage streamside landowners in riparian forest restoration and develop partnerships to improve water quality and wildlife habitat in our communities. Includes restoring 3,700 linear feet of streams and rivers.
West Linn-Wilsonville School District ($16,740) - West Linn High School students in the Environmental Science Career & Technical Education program will train Riverside High School students to remove invasive species and plant native vegetation along 200 linear feet of the Tualatin River. High School students will lead restoration work with Stafford Primary 5th graders & instruct on watershed health. 5th-grade teachers will guide watershed lessons for Stafford Primary students.
World Salmon Council ($9,000) – Will provide environmental education that combines classroom and online curriculum, field learning, and community service, incorporating innovative learning activities to enhance student's critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The program enables students to explore their natural heritage and develop a sense of stewardship and future career exploration by learning about watershed health and Northwest salmon's lifecycle and habitat needs.
Learn more about the RiverHealth Stewardship Program.
Clackamas Water Environment Services produces clean water, protects water quality and recovers renewable resources. We do this by providing wastewater services, stormwater management, and environmental education. It’s our job to protect public health and support the vitality of our communities, natural environment, and economy.
Clean Water for all.