Authorize grant and intergovernmental agreements related to the Community Watershed Stewardship Program up to $100,000 per fiscal year for five years beginning FY 2024-25

The purpose of this ordinance is to provide funding to community partners to implement small, on-the-ground restoration, education and leadership development projects. These projects will train Portlanders underrepresented in the environmental field in stewardship of natural areas, build green schoolyard and community spaces, plant native vegetation, and educate community members of all ages about their natural world and watershed health. The City of Portland’s Climate Emergency Workplan (2022-2025) (NR-2) prioritizes continued Council support for “Community-based organizations doing watershed stewardship, community engagement, and education. Community organizations are trusted by and embedded within the community and are critical partners in pursuing City resilience goals. They work tirelessly to build community and environmental resilience through community events, volunteering, public education, restoration, cleanups, and more.” The Community Watershed Stewardship Program (CWSP) emphasizes leadership of underserved community groups and residents, as valued partners, in implementing solutions to improve the health of Portland watersheds. The Bureau of Environmental Services’ (BES) 10-year Strategic Plan (2018-2027) guides the bureau’s work and provides a structure for evaluating and improving service delivery for all Portlanders. Building strong community relationships is identified as one of the six goal areas for the bureau to pursue over the next decade. The plan includes strategic initiatives “to use expertise in equity to inform community relationships and communications” (COMM-4), and to “work with businesses, residents, educational institutions, nonprofits, and agencies to partner on projects and support private activities that complement our work.” (COMM-5). This year’s Selection Committee included BES Community Engagement staff, Judy BlueHorse Skelton, Associate Professor, Portland State University Indigenous Nations Studies (INST) and Bear Cunningham-Goodell (INST Student). The committee continues to use three selection criteria: benefits to watershed health, community partnerships, and the degree to which the project serves and is led by underrepresented community members. Two of the eight grant recipients are receiving CWSP funding for the first time including: Love is Stronger and Community Pulse. Estimated grant awards are indicated below, but final awards may vary based on possible additional funds needed such as insurance coverage to meet City requirements. Each grant is approximately $12,000. Specific projects funded for 2024-2025 are: Love is Stronger will involve stewardship, paddling, environmental education, fishing, and stipends to engage youth in building a stewardship ethos through gang-prevention work techniques. Friends of Tryon Creek (FOTC) will offer an Indigenous Technical Ecological and Cultural Knowledge (ITECK)-centered revegetation and experience-building restoration project. FOTC's Green Leader Workforce, Blueprint Foundation, and Wisdom of the Elders’ interns will prepare for salmonids to return to upper Tryon Creek. Portland Refugee Support Group involves workshops with a new cohort of refugee students learning plant identification and stewardship techniques that impact watershed health. Students apply their knowledge in Tryon Creek Natural Area and develop outreach plans to invite others to join in their work and enjoy a shared connection to the forest. ELSO Inc. will train a cohort of Black and Brown youth in culturally relevant watershed science, in preparation to share with younger youth in camp and after-school settings. These outdoor leadership experiences build human-nature connectedness. Peninsula School will replace asphalt with an outdoor science and nature play space. Featuring accessibility elements in the design through multiple partnerships with Harper’s Playground and Elbow Room. Community Pulse will lead stormwater and river protection education programming for recent Slavic immigrant youth. Partnerships include the Slavic Community Center of Northwest will support programming. Salmon Watch hands on education programming teaches salmon life cycle, environmental stewardship, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Students will apply skills and participate in salmon preservation in their urban environment. Bridgeport Church will provide a garden and stewardship space for environmental education, and community gathering for newly sheltered residents and neighbors. Partners include Beacon PDX and Growing Gardens.

Long-term financial impacts for the City: Long term financial impacts are not a consideration for these grants as the projects have a 12-month execution period per Fiscal Year. Budget impacts: the budget for CWSP is included in the Sewer System Operating Fund Budget, FY 2024-25 through FY 2028-29 ESDP00023. Change in expenses: This legislation authorizes spending on an existing program and include funds that have been budgeted for this intended use. The level of confidence for these project estimates are high. Budgets for individual projects have been examined and approved by the Stewardship Grant selection committee. Sources of funding are included in the Sewer System Operating Fund Budget, FY 2024-25 through FY 2028-29 , ESDP00023. This legislation does not create, eliminate, or re-classify positions now or in the future. Financial agreements: This legislation does result in a new or modified financial obligation or benefit, including IGAs, grants and contracts.

This legislation is in direct response to requests for engagement from the community. The community-identified benefits include improved watershed health, greener community spaces and natural areas, and education for underserved populations. The projects improve participation of underrepresented people in environmental activities. The projects authorized through this legislation are driven by community members and community-based organizations. The purpose of this authorization of funding is to provide financial support for community-designed and community-executed environmental endeavors. Different communities of people are benefitting from this legislation. Specific populations served by these projects include Portlanders who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color, youth and adults, immigrants, refugees, and people who are experiencing houselessness. Many projects this year are working with students. The geographic area served by these projects are within the City of Portland’s Urban Services Boundary. Businesses, institutions, and interest-based organizations all benefit from this legislation. Several educational programs and institutions will also benefit from this legislation. This legislation makes several improvements to City livability. Projects authorized by this legislation contributes to a prosperous, educated, healthy, and equitable Portland. Populations within the City who are currently underserved will benefit from this funding authorization by gaining conservation and restoration education and training. Summarize significant objections/concerns: No objections received.