Willamette Valley Project (WVP) 2026 NRM Education and Training of Botanically Sophisticated Restoration Workers
This grant funds education and hands-on training in ecological restoration and land stewardship for diverse community members at Willamette Valley Project sites, focusing on native habitat restoration and public engagement.
Funder: USACE Portland District
Due Dates: April 18, 2026 (Questions deadline) | May 20, 2026 (Full application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $250,000 total over up to 5 years (base year + 4 option years); minimum award $3,000; estimated program funding $175,000; typically one award.
Summary: Supports education and training in ecological restoration, land stewardship, and native habitat management in the Willamette Valley, Oregon, with hands-on opportunities for local communities and schools.
Key Information: No cost share required; only one application per organization; eligibility limited to state/local governments and independent school districts.
Description
This cooperative agreement from the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Portland District funds education and training programs focused on botanically sophisticated ecological restoration, land stewardship, and wildlife habitat management within the Willamette Valley Project area. The program is designed to provide practical training and experience to young professionals, veterans, displaced workers, college students, and other community members, as well as hands-on environmental education to local primary and secondary school students. Activities include invasive species removal, native plant propagation, habitat restoration, and outreach to increase environmental stewardship and awareness on USACE-managed lands.
Program activities will primarily occur at the southern lakes of the Willamette Valley Project (Fern Ridge, Fall Creek, Dexter, Lookout Point, Hills Creek, Cottage Grove, and Dorena), with limited activities at Cougar, Foster-Greenpeter, or Detroit-Big Cliff. The recipient is expected to manage small work crews, collaborate with local schools, and maintain project documentation and reporting per USACE requirements.
