Oregon Community Green Infrastructure Grant Program

In 2023, the Oregon legislature passed House Bill 3409, which, in part, establishes the Community Green Infrastructure Grant Program in an effort to “provide direct social, environmental, and economic benefits to communities” by funding green infrastructure investments throughout the state. As noted in the bill, green infrastructure yields numerous benefits to communities, including climate change adaptation and resilience, stormwater management, public health benefits, and restoration of floodplain functions. 

The law defines green infrastructure as infrastructure that (1) mimics or lessens the stress of natural systems through conservation or restoration and (2) focuses on community-based concepts and practices to combat climate change and manage resource use. To this end, the Grant Program supports the implementation of these projects by:

  1. Offsetting planning and development costs for community green infrastructure projects or green economic development projects;
  2. Supporting native seed banks and plant nurseries; and 
  3. Supporting and implementing green infrastructure master plans, such as storm water management plans, urban forestry plans, or plans to establish green spaces.

The Grant Program is administered by the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (OR DLCD) with appropriated funds from the State Treasury. The law requires investment into certain programs and groups:

  • 30% must be reserved for “green infrastructure economic development projects.” These are green infrastructure projects that economically benefit community members in the area through job creation. 
  • 40% must be reserved for “entities or projects located in green infrastructure improvement zones.” This is an area designated by the State Forestry Department with a high level of poverty and poor or threatened vegetation, low tree canopy cover, or restoration needs. 
  • 30% must be reserved for “for entities or projects in tribal, rural, remote, or coastal communities.”

 

To facilitate the Grant Program, OR DLCD has the ability to enter into intergovernmental agreements with other agencies to assist with implementation of projects and funds. As authorized by the law, OR DLCD also appointed an “Advisory Committee on Community Green Infrastructure Investment” to assist with implementation of the Grant Program. The law provides specific guidelines concerning the representatives included within the group, mandating representatives from city and county governments, school districts, environmental justice communities, tribes, industry, and more. This Advisory Committee is required to submit to the Oregon Legislative Assembly a biennial report on the implementation status of the Grant Program. 

In the 2025 Call for Applications, OR DLCD identifies the project types and goals that the grant program will prioritize: 

  • Large, low-maintenance, resilient tree plantings; 
  • Native plants or pollinator-friendly species plantings; 
  • Public tree plantings, such as plantings near schools, nursing homes, and parks; 
  • Strengthening communities and combating displacement;
  • Developing solutions for use of biomass; 
  • Increasing urban tree canopy cover; 
  • Utilizing cultural practices to conserve resources for future generations; 
  • Constructing new green infrastructure; and
  • Accessible benefits to the community, such as a project on public property. 

Codified in ORS §197.470, the Grant Program accepts applications annually from non-profit and faith-based organizations, Indian tribes, watershed councils, local workforce development boards, and local governments. These applicants may also choose to partner with relevant state agencies, privately owned businesses, or owners of a rented property. The previous round of funding granted about $3.6 million to twenty-three projects. The grant awardees for the ongoing application cycle will be announced in January 2026.

Publication Date: July 24, 2023

Related Organizations:

  • State of Oregon

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