Land Acquisition Grants
Forecasted
Land Acquisition Grants support conservation organizations, Tribes, and public bodies in purchasing Oregon land and perpetual conservation easements to protect watersheds and native fish and wildlife habitat.
Funder: Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board
Due Dates (Anticipated): September 2027 (Pre-application consultation) | October 2027 (Full application)
Funding Amounts: No maximum request; match of at least 25% of the OWEB request
Summary: Supports voluntary purchases of land and perpetual conservation easements to protect or restore Oregon watersheds and native fish and wildlife habitat.
Key Information: Fee-simple acquisitions require granting the State of Oregon OWEB’s perpetual, standard-form conservation easement.
Description
The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) funds voluntary land acquisitions that secure long-term protection for significant native fish and wildlife habitat. The program supports purchases of fee-simple ownership and perpetual conservation easements from willing sellers, with the land continuing to serve the watershed and habitat conservation purposes specified in the Oregon Constitution.
Funding can support future acquisitions or reimburse qualifying completed purchases. Projects are evaluated for ecological outcomes, sound legal and financial terms, organizational capacity, and community benefits or impacts. Ecological review considers conservation-plan alignment, habitat condition and threats, proposed management and restoration, climate resilience, greenhouse gas emissions, and long-term carbon sequestration. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to complete the transaction and sustain conservation outcomes over time.
