Willamette Valley Project (WVP) 2026 NRM Education and Training of Botanically Sophisticated Restoration Workers

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, is offering a funding opportunity under its Environmental Education Program to support land stewardship and ecological restoration activities in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. This initiative is administered through a cooperative agreement and is authorized under federal conservation and recreation management statutes. The program is designed to advance the agency’s environmental stewardship mission while fostering education, workforce development, and community engagement. The funding opportunity specifically targets restoration of native prairie landscapes and wildlife habitats while integrating hands-on training and environmental education. The primary purpose of this grant is to provide education and training in botanically sophisticated ecological restoration practices. Participants, including young professionals, veterans, displaced workers, college students, and other community members, will gain practical experience in plant identification, restoration planning, and implementation. Additionally, the program emphasizes outreach to local primary schools, where students will participate in growing and installing native plants, thereby promoting environmental awareness and stewardship among younger populations. Activities will take place across multiple sites within the Willamette Valley Project, particularly at southern lakes such as Fern Ridge, Fall Creek, and Cottage Grove. Funding will support a wide range of restoration and educational activities, including invasive species removal, native plant propagation, habitat restoration, and environmental education programming. Work may involve the use of tools and equipment typical in land management operations, as well as participation in structured educational sessions covering ecology, biology, and land management practices. The cooperative agreement is fully funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, with no cost-sharing or matching requirement. The total estimated funding is $250,000, distributed across a base year and four optional one-year extensions, each funded at up to $50,000. Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to non-federal public entities or nonprofit organizations that serve the local community and have demonstrated experience in land stewardship and ecological restoration. Applicants must also be capable of training participants in botanical identification and managing environmental education programs in local schools. The program requires applicants to recruit and manage participant crews, provide supervision, ensure safety compliance, and maintain documentation of training and activities. Federal involvement is substantial, with the agency providing technical guidance, materials, and oversight throughout the project. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov, including standard federal forms such as SF-424 and SF-424A, along with a detailed program narrative, management plan, budget documentation, and past performance records. Applicants must also be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and possess a valid Unique Entity Identifier. The application deadline is April 30, 2026, following the announcement release on March 31, 2026. Questions must be submitted by April 18, 2026, and an estimated award date is May 3, 2026. Proposals will be evaluated based on alignment with program goals, management capability, and past performance, with equal weighting given to each criterion. The selected recipient will enter into a cooperative agreement with a one-year base period extending through April 30, 2027, with the possibility of four additional one-year extensions subject to funding availability. Reporting requirements include quarterly financial reports and a final performance report within 120 days of project completion. Contact for this opportunity is Melanie Barrett, Grants and Agreements Officer, reachable via email at Melanie.A.Barrett@usace.army.mil or by phone at 503-808-4617.

Align proposal closely with stated restoration and education goals; demonstrate strong past performance and management capability; ensure budget is reasonable and compliant with federal cost principles