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

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Portland District, is offering a cooperative agreement opportunity under its Environmental Education Program to support Natural Resource Management (NRM) through education, training, and land stewardship in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. The funding is aimed at a non-Federal public or non-profit entity with experience in ecological restoration and native habitat stewardship, particularly through small crew-based efforts. This program is intended to foster restoration of native prairie landscapes and wildlife habitat at USACE-operated southern Willamette Valley Lakes, while also delivering hands-on education in ecological restoration techniques. The program focuses on training participants—including young professionals, veterans, displaced workers, and college students—in botanically sophisticated ecological restoration methods. These participants will develop skills in project planning, implementation, and native plant identification through applied work at project sites such as Fern Ridge, Fall Creek, Dexter, Lookout Point, Hills Creek, Cottage Grove, and Dorena. Furthermore, the program extends educational outreach to local primary school students, engaging them in producing and installing native plants at Corps-managed restoration sites. Activities include prairie and wildlife habitat restoration, riparian and wetland enhancement, native grassland management, and nursery operations involving seed collection and propagation. Participants will also gain natural resources education, including knowledge of local ecosystems and species. The cooperative agreement will be managed with substantial involvement from USACE, which will provide sites, materials, technical guidance, and educational orientation. The recipient must furnish work crews and supervisors, safety equipment, and logistical support like transportation and insurance coverage. The initial performance period spans one year from the award date through April 30, 2027, with the option to extend for four additional 12-month periods, contingent upon available funding. The total program funding is capped at $250,000, allocated in $50,000 increments per year. USACE will fund 100% of project costs, and no matching requirement is specified. The cooperative agreement authority is drawn from 33 U.S.C. § 2339, which pertains to Conservation and Recreation Management. Applicants must submit a comprehensive package including the SF 424, SF 424A, a program narrative (covering goals, management plan, and past performance), a cost rate agreement or de minimis statement, and relevant certifications. Only one application per organization is permitted. Proposals must be submitted through Grants.gov by April 30, 2026. Contact for program-related inquiries is Melanie Barrett at [email protected] or 503-808-4617. The estimated award date is May 3, 2026. The grant opportunity is issued annually, with the next expected cycle in April 2027. A final performance report is required within 120 days of each period’s end. All proposals will undergo an initial eligibility and completeness review, followed by merit evaluation based on program alignment, management capability, and past performance. Budget reasonableness will also be assessed. The award is made to the applicant that most effectively meets the program goals at a reasonable cost.

Ensure program goals in Section A are explicitly addressed; include measurable objectives and fully formatted documentation per instructions.