Parks and nature community partnerships

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Community partnerships support community-based organizations and groups as they connect people of color to nature.

A Metro educator kneels and explains the history of Oxbow Regional Park to standing group of masked people

People of Color Outdoors exploring and learning about the history of Oxbow Regional Park.

A Metro educator wearing a mask addresses a group of people at Scouters Mountain Nature Park

Familias en Accion health promotores event and food distribution at Scouters Mountain Nature Park.

People sort through table full of lanterns

IRCO's Asian Family Center received a 2019 sponsorship and hosted a fall event celebrating Diwali and Moon Festival at Blue Lake Park

Children are standing at a picnic table painting tealights to celebrate Diwali.

IRCO's Asian Family Center received a 2019 sponsorship and hosted a fall event celebrating Diwali and Moon Festival at Blue Lake Park

IRCO's Asian Family Center received a 2019 sponsorship and hosted a fall event celebrating Diwali and Moon Festival at Blue Lake Park

Group of children looking at log in nature

Verde's Club Aves program received a 2019 sponsorship for outdoor education at Metro Parks

Children and an adult stand on the bank of a wetland looking through binoculars.

Verde's Club Aves program received a 2019 sponsorship and went bird watching at Smith and Bybee Wetlands.

Vendor points out different native plants to mix for tea

Pacific Northwest Council of Water Protectors and Native Wellness Institute both received 2019 sponsorships to support the Medicine Gathering, a three-day family camp at Oxbow Park

woman laying on table while elder does vibration therapy

Pacific Northwest Council of Water Protectors and Native Wellness Institute both received 2019 sponsorships to support the Medicine Gathering, a three-day family camp at Oxbow Park

Metro teamed up with the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization to host community picnics at Metro sites.

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Metro's community partnerships program works with community organizations big and small to build community and connect people of color with nature at Metro's parks and natural areas. These partnerships organize community events, implement nature programming activities, connect communities with park planners and decision makers, explore nature-based career pathways, and offer other activities that build racial equity, diversity and inclusion in the region.

The program manages an annual budget of $250,000. Organizations and groups led by and for people of color can access these funds and Metro staff support through four program areas designed to strengthen community-led, Metro-led and co-created activities. All activities must benefit communities in greater Portland. Some funds require that activities take place at Metro parks and natural areas. The sponsorships for community-led programs do not require that activities take place in Metro parks and natural areas.

Program goal

Increase opportunities for communities of color to experience nature in greater Portland. Some funds require that activities increase opportunities for communities of color to experience nature in Metro parks and natural areas.

Program areas

Community-led programs Funding

These grants provide funding for community organizations and groups to facilitate connection to nature for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and other people of color) communities.

Total funding available for 2024 cycle: $220,000 Total funding per partner: up to $5,000 per application.

Applications closed Feb 4, 2025

Metro Parks and Nature access program

These funds are to cover parking and shelter fees for BIPOC-led groups and organizations in Metro parks and natural areas. Request funds here.

Timeline: ongoing.

If you or someone you know requests this form in a language other than English, please contact us at: [email protected]

Metro-led programming support

This funding provides financial support for transportation and interpretation so community members can take part in Metro-led classes and activities.

Total funds: $10,000. Total funding per partner: Up to $1,100 per activity.

Open now. Request through the nature education program reservation process.

Contact

News

Metro Council appoints parks and nature oversight committee

4 years 3 months ago

The Metro Council appoints an independent oversight committee for parks and nature capital investments
IRCO celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival and Diwali with community

By Cristle Jose
5 years 7 months ago

On Oct. 5, at Blue Lake Regional Park, the Asian Immigration and Refugee Youth Council hosted its first Asian Autumn Festival to celebrate two Asian fall festivals— Moon Festival, a tradition across much of eastern Asia, and Diwali, a Hindu festival.
Club Aves exposes Latinx and Somali youth to nature and history at Smith and Bybee

By Cristle Jose
5 years 7 months ago

Most of the students come from the Latinx and Somali communities in Cully Neighborhood in northeast Portland, a neighborhood that has historically had limited access to nearby natural spaces.
Medicine Gathering seeks to educate about Native culture and sustainability

By Cristle Jose
5 years 8 months ago

The three-day family camp, created by and for Native people, focused on learning about Native cultures, which is part of the council’s mission of education and sustainability.