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About this Conservation Program
News & Updates
- Applications now open for conservation districts only to support cultivation sites. The deadline for all application submittals is May 2, 2024, at 5pm. Please review the application here.
- At this time, applications are only open to conservation districts for unanticipated maintenance repair costs associated with existing RPPP sites. Please check back for updates about future rounds of funding.
- Explore the current FY24 projects that are being implemented by conservation districts for the cultivation phase of RPPP. This fiscal year, nine districts were awarded funding to either maintain, expand, or create holding sites designed to grow out native trees and shrubs until ready to be used in restoration projects among salmon-bearing streams.
What’s RPPP?
The Riparian Plant Propagation Program (RPPP) – A tree-mendous new initiative that will support habitat restoration for salmon-bearing streams and the many co-benefits riparian habitat provides. This program is designed to increase the availability of native trees and shrubs for riparian habitat restoration in support of statewide salmon recovery.
By coordinating with nurseries and restoration groups, including conservation districts, RPPP will help increase native trees and shrubs available for planting by:
- Determining the numbers and species of native plants needed
- Coordinating seasonal propagation schedules
- Providing financial support for increased native plant nursery stock
- Matching plants with riparian restoration projects
- Building community through outreach, education, and potential engagement opportunities
The RPPP program will be implemented through 3 phases: propagation, cultivation, and restoration.
- Propagation: working with nurseries to increase the propagation of native trees and shrubs to be provided to districts and other restoration projects. SCC plans to achieve this through two to four year contract grows, which allows for long-term planning and procurement of difficult-to-source species.
- Cultivation: Annual funding to support conservation districts. This part of the program supports the creation of new holding sites, expansion of existing holding sites, and purchase of plants that are ready within the fiscal year. Plants that are held 2-3 years have a greater chance of survival once planted and the holding sites may be used as a space for nursery overflow.
- Restoration: Matching locally grown plants with restoration groups to be implemented in riparian habitat projects. This can include districts, non-profits org, state/federal agencies, tribes, counties, etc.
Learn more about RPPP: Webinars
Plant Needs Form Q&A - Aug. 2023
To gather information about the projected plant requirements, a Plant Needs Form has been made available for districts and other restoration groups. This form will aid SCC in determining the expected quantity and species of native trees and shrubs needed for riparian restoration endeavors commencing in the fall of 2025.
Q&A Webinar - Feb. 2023
Join SCC staff for an introduction to RPPP and goals, what types of projects may be eligible for funding, funding rounds and timing, and what information is helpful to gather from CDs, restoration groups, and nurseries to help shape this work.
Program News
Staff & Contact
Files & Publications
Funding
Grants for conservation districts to cultivate native plants
The first round of application reviews for funding available to conservation districts is underway. If you submitted an application, please stay tuned for a notification. At this time, applications are only open to conservation districts for unanticipated maintenance repair costs associated with existing RPPP sites. Please check back for updates about future rounds of funding.
Please review the recently adopted programmatic guidelines.
This round supports Washington conservation districts in:
- The procurement of native trees and shrubs,
- The creation, improvement, and expansion of a holding facility, and
- Maintenance of plants at existing holding facilities.
The award funding selection process for the creation of new holding sites will be guided by the following factors:
- Geographic necessity (map of current holding sites).
- Experience in plant cultivation.
- Long-term capacity to maintain plant cultivation for restoration projects.
Additional rounds of reviews will occur monthly, with the exception of repairs, which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. New guideline updates now allow for repairs to existing holding sites. In the case where emergency repairs need to be made, you may apply outside of the normal review process.
All deliverables must be received, and all installation work completed no later than June 30, 2024.
For any questions regarding the application, please contact B'Elanna Rhodehamel, RPPP Manager.