Clackamas Water Environment Services awards $330,000 in RiverHealth Stewardship grants to protect watersheds

Funding for RiverHealth Stewardship Grants comes from surface water revenue.

Clackamas Water Environment Services (WES) is awarding $330,000 in grants through its RiverHealth Stewardship Program to 13 organizations dedicated to the protection of local watersheds.

The grants will 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. 

The following organizations will receive a combined total of $330,000 in grant funds:

• Bob's Red Mill ($20,000) – Will restore 4.56-acre Mill’s End Wetland at Bob’s Red Mill Headquarters, transforming from monoculture of invasive Himalayan blackberry to a diverse ecosystem of native plants. The project focuses on regenerating native vegetation, improving wetland edges, and controlling invasive species to enhance water quality, biodiversity, and watershed health.
• Clackamas River Basin Council ($29,999) –  Will implement “Shade Our Streams” program at four sites within Rock and Sieben Creek watersheds, restoring 4.5 acres of riparian habitat through invasive weed removal and native plantings. Includes outreach with landowners and promoting educational content on social media.
• Clackamas River Community Cooperative (30,000) – Will mitigate erosion across three acres of a steep slope on an established riparian zone. Invasive vegetation will be replaced by mixed, drought and fire-resistant vegetation, use of coir logs and extending pipes to the toe of the slope.
• Columbia Land Trust and Bird Alliance of Oregon ($27,175) – The Backyard Habitat Certification program turns residents into restoration and clean river volunteers with education and resources to manage stormwater on their properties, plant native plants, remove invasive weeds, reduce and/or eliminate use of pesticides and steward wildlife. Approximately 30 new sites will be added to the 238 residents currently enrolled in the program.
• Ecology in Classrooms and Outdoors ($12,000) – Will engage students at Whitcomb Elementary and Clackamas High School in hands-on watershed restoration, climate action education and place-based science learning. The project combines classroom instruction with direct stewardship experiences in rain gardens and wetlands within the Kellogg-Mt.Scott Watershed to restore habitat and enhance water quality.
• Friends of Trees ($30,000) – Will plant native plantings, expand community stewardship and facilitate youth watershed education. Lead volunteer planting events at Rose Creek with Oregon Trail Elementary and Sabin-Schellenberg High School. Continue work with community partners to support site preparation on new and pre-existing sites.
• Happy Valley Heights Homeowners Association ($29,715) – Will continue riparian restoration of natural areas in Happy Valley and Milwaukie, in coordination with Watershed Action Plans for Mt. Scott, Johnson Creeks and Clackamas River basin. Project is a collaboration among 5 HOAs and one private landowner.
• Johnson Creek Watershed Council ($23,561) – Will engage 200 volunteers and six community partners in the annual Johnson Creek Clean-Up and 250 volunteers in Watershed Wide planting event to promote environmental stewardship, as well as increase participation of private landowners in riparian restoration CreekCare program.
• North Clackamas Watersheds Council ($30,000) – Will continue and add to restoration efforts of riparian conditions at Parmenter Ponds, in the Kellogg-Mt. Scott Watershed . The Council uses thermal drone imagery to target cold water plumes and prioritize restoration locations. Conduct site visits and workshops for landowners on restoration and maintenance best practices. Lead workshops among community members to reduce wildfire risk and maintain riparian vegetation.
• Northwest Youth Corps ($27,000) – Will lead restoration and job training activities in the Rock Creek (Rock Creek Headwaters, Windswept Waters HOA), Sieben Creek (Rose Creek Natural Area), Johnson Creek (Happy Valley Park) and Kellogg-Mt. Scott Creek (Spring Mountain/ Southern Lites Park) watersheds. Youth will install mulch, dig out Himalayan blackberry, shear grasses, and hand remove broadleaf weeds to maintain previously planted riparian project sites.
• The Wetlands Conservancy ($25,600) – Will expand monitoring and access points to survey two additional acres of wetlands within the interior of Hearthwood Wetlands. Partner with Indigenous Workforce Crew led by Mad Bears LLC to clear pathways. Conduct water quality tests, host volunteers for trash-clean ups and engage neighbors from Hearthwood Mobile Home Park.
• Tualatin River Watershed Council ($30,000) – Will conduct streamside enhancements with six riparian landowners on Wilsom, Saum and Rock Creek tributaries. Restoration efforts include removal of invasive species, installing native plants, establishing long-term shade over streams and engaging with streamside residents to become stewards of their own land.
• World Salmon Council ($15,000) – Will provide students with accessible environmental education about Pacific salmon through flagship program Salmon Watch. Engage students in multidisciplinary, place-based learning with field trips and lessons on salmon biology, water quality, macroinvertebrates, invasive species and riparian ecology, while integrating cultural significance to foster a sense of environmental connection and stewardship.

Learn more about the RiverHealth Stewardship Program.