| OWEB Local Innovation Fund |
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THE LOCAL INNOVATION FUND
Watersheds, Economies, Communities
The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) established The Local Innovation Fund as a pilot program in the fall of 2005. The purpose of the Local Innovation Fund program was to support creative initiatives that benefit and provide connections between the local watershed, economy, and community.
OWEB’s mission is to help create and maintain healthy watersheds and natural habitats that support thriving communities and strong economies. OWEB’s programs generally support the restoration and protection of healthy watersheds through a competitive grant program that funds on-the-ground restoration and protection of habitat, and project technical assistance, education, and monitoring.
The Local Innovation Fund expanded that approach. Rather than funding projects solely for their watershed benefit, the Local Innovation Fund sought to fund projects that made explicit connections between environmental restoration activities and pressing social and economic needs, effectively “leveraging” a conservation investment for positive outcomes in the community and economic spheres.
The Local Innovation Fund is part of OWEB’s sustainability program and Sustainability Plan.
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| LIF Grant Results |
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Restoration Enterprise Business Strategy
The Coquille Watershed Association (CWA) represents the leading edge in grass-roots, non-profit watershed restoration groups in the Pacific Northwest. The Restoration Enterprise Business Strategy is part of our strategy to maximize the CWA's mission impacts over the long term. It is our hope that an increased emphasis on earned income generation will result in improved self-sufficiency of the restoration crew and contribute to long-term sustainability for the CWA. Overall, the CWA considers this effort to be supportive of a longer-term efffort to establish a diversified, sustainable funding base for the organization.
Download full report (PDF)
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| Phase II Grants |
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The second grant cycle, to fund implementation of on-the-ground projects that benefit and strengthen the connections between the local watershed, economy, and community, concluded in September 2006. The OWEB Board awarded approximately $300,000 in funding to four projects. The funded projects are listed in the chart below.
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Project #
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Project Name
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Total
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South Coast Cranberries
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$114,524
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207-142
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Salmon-safe Applegate Restoration Initiative
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$29,367
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207-147
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Crystal Springs Restoration
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$42,860
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207-148
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Mosier Community Groundwater Management
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$113,548
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Total Awarded
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$300,299
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More information about these projects can be found in the Regional and Statewide Review Team Evaluations document (PDF), and in the September 2006 staff report (PDF or September 2006 staff reports).
Additional Phase II information:
Phase II Request for Proposals - May 2006 (PDF)
Phase II Grant Application Form (MS Word or PDF )
Phase II Instructions Manual (PDF)
For more information about the Local Innovation Fund, please contact Melissa Leoni, Senior Policy Coordinator, at (503) 986-0179.
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| Phase I Grants |
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The first grant cycle, providing project development funding, concluded in January 2006. The OWEB Board awarded approximately $100,000 in funding to eight projects. The funded projects are listed in the chart below. More information on these projects can be found at Funded Project Summaries.
OWEB Local Innovation Fund Grant Awards
January 2006
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Project #
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Project Name
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Amount
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206-381
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Ecosystem Workforce Program and the Siuslaw Basin Partnership: Developing a High Quality Restoration Industry in the SiuslawBasin
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$14,966
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206-383
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Coquille Watershed Association: Creating a Model for Sustainable, Family Wage Restoration Jobs in the CoquilleBasin
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$8,216
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206-386
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Lower Rogue Watershed Council: Incorporating Salmon Habitat Restoration in Sand and Gravel Mining
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$9,966
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206-387
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South Coast Watershed Council and The Wetlands Conservancy: Sustainable Cranberry Production and Marketing on the SouthCoast
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$14,466
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z206-389
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Mary’s River Watershed Council and The Food Systems Coalition: Healthy Watersheds, Healthy Food in the WillametteValley
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$14,486
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206-391
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McKenzie Watershed Council: Sand and Gravel Industry Salmon Habitat Restoration Incentives
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$7,966
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206-392
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Clackamas County Soil and Water Conservation District: Mt.HoodForestHabitat Restoration, Fire Fuel Reduction, and Small Diameter Wood Utilization
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$14,966
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206-400
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The Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council and The Juniper Group: Western Juniper Commercialization Study for Central Oregon
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$14,966
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Total Local Innovation Grants Funded
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$99,998
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Information about the first Local Innovation Fund Grant Cycle
Original Request for Proposals (October 2005)
Additional Information on The Local Innovation Fund
Staff Funding Recommendation for the first Local Innovation Fund Grant Cycle (January 2006 Staff Report)
List of Applications Received by December 1, 2005 (Attachment A)
Summary of Applications and Review Panel Comments (Attachment B)
For a copy of any application submitted to the Local Innovation Fund during the first grant cycle, please contact Melissa Leoni, Senior Policy Coordinator, at (503) 986-0179.
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