The RiverHealth Stewardship Program

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

The RiverHealth Stewardship Program (Program) is a grant program implemented in 2013 by Clackamas County’s Water Environment Services (WES) Watershed Protection Program to support community groups, businesses, and property owners who want to help improve the health of Clackamas County Service District No. 1 (District) watersheds. The Program provides funding for projects that align with the District’s Watershed Action Plans (WAPs) to improve and protect water quality and reduce the impacts of urbanization on area streams. Due to the District’s limited staff and funds, the Program was developed to make progress on the WAPs goals more efficient and timely. Over the past three years, the Program has improved the health and wildlife habitat of 44.2 acres of land, including 27,500 linear feet of stream and aquatic habitat, with the help of approximately 20,000 volunteers at nearly 300 projects sites. Additionally, the Program has strengthened WES' partnership with the participating organizations, which has brought to light new and innovative ways of working together to effectively restore natural systems within Clackamas County.