Urban Challenge Program Assistance

Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge is seeking to award a cooperative agreement to a local organization to convene partners to provide high quality nature-based engagement of urban audiences both on and off refuge lands within the Portland-Vancouver Metropolitan Area. Specifically the refuge wants to invest approximately $367,000 to accomplish work in four focal areas to include: 1) public engagement strategies that combine modern technology (such as websites and mobile applications) with connecting urban residents with nature and provide venues for partners to interact and participate in metropolitan-wide conservation efforts; 2) equity and inclusion trainings, workshops, and similar forums that support the parks and conservation community as a whole to become more diverse and equitable in their approaches connecting people with nature; 3) convene representatives from health, conservation, and social justice sectors to create better health outcomes for the community; and 4) convene organizations that can help further youth engagement in the outdoors through playing, working, serving, and learning programs. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be substantially involved under this funding opportunity. In particular, the Service will be responsible for coordinating with the Recipient to define project/program specifics and scope; participate in the planning and implementation of specific projects/programs; and participate in meetings, workshops; and forums that the Recipient convenes.