About this Conservation Program

News & Updates

  • 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.
  • 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. Please share feedback by Sept. 1.

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:

  1. Determining the numbers and species of native plants needed
  2. Coordinating seasonal propagation schedules
  3. Providing financial support for increased native plant nursery stock
  4. Matching plants with riparian restoration projects
  5. Building community through outreach, education, and potential engagement opportunities

The RPPP program will be implemented through 3 phases: propagation, cultivation, and restoration.

  1. Propagation: Working with nurseries to increase propagation of locally sourced native trees and shrubs.
  2. Cultivation: Increasing holding sites at conservation districts to grow out native trees and shrubs until they are mature enough to be used in riparian projects. Survival rate is increased if plants are 2-3 years old when transplanted into habitat.
  3. Restoration: Working with restoration groups to match locally-grown native trees and shrubs with riparian habitat projects.

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.

Files & Publications

File Name
Summary

The Riparian Plant Propagation Program (RPPP) was established to support statewide salmon recovery efforts and the many co-benefits riparian habitats provide by addressing the critical shortage of native riparian trees and shrubs needed for restoration projects. The Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC) has been appropriated approximately $1.3 million in operating funds per fiscal year to support these efforts.

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.

Success Stories from this Grant Program

Come back soon for new stories!