Riparian Plant Propagation Program

What’s RPPP? 

SCC is excited to announce 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. Funded by a $1.3 million annual budget, this program is designed to address the shortage of native trees and shrubs available for riparian habitat restoration.

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.

RPPP draft guidelines available for review and comment – due July 10

Draft RPPP guidelines are now available for review and comment. To ensure an inclusive and collaborative process, we are inviting all districts and stakeholders to participate in a 45-day review period. This offers an excellent opportunity to contribute your thoughts and feedback on the draft guidelines so far.

At this initial phase of the program, this portion of the draft guidelines is focused on supporting conservation districts to cultivate and propagate native riparian trees and shrubs at holding sites until ready to be used in restoration projects. This draft of the guidelines was developed based on the first two rounds of funding awarded to conservation districts this fiscal year. Language from the first two Request for Applications (RFA) and award notifications have been incorporated to establish a comprehensive framework. The programmatic guidelines will be expanded to include opportunities with other partners, including Washington nurseries and Tribes, to increase the availability of native riparian plants for restoration projects.

If you have any questions or require further clarification, please feel free to reach out to B'Elanna Rhodehamel.

Comments are due by 5 p.m. on July 10. Learn how to share comments here.

Draft guidelines

Learn more about RPPP: Q&A webinar recording

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.

Grants for conservation districts to cultivate native plants

Funding rounds for conservation districts to cultivate native plants have closed. In preparation for future funding in the fiscal year 2024, you may review the past funding guidelines and the application here.

The award funding selection process for the creation of new holding sites was guided by the following factors: 

  • geographic necessity
  • experience in plant cultivation
  • long-term capacity to maintain plant cultivation for restoration projects.

For any questions regarding the application, please contact B'Elanna Rhodehamel, RPPP Manager.

Meet the team

B'Elanna Rhodehamel
Riparian Plant Propagation Program Manager
Alison Halpern, PhD
Scientific Policy Advisor