190516

The City of Portland ordains:

Section 1.  The Council finds:

1. Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) provides Environmental Education Programs

2. PP&R’s Environmental Education Programs include field trips that connect young children and families to urban nature through hands on outdoor learning. Topics include plants, habitats, amphibians, birds, geology, and stewardship. This program serves 1,500 children annually from local schools and community groups. For some children, this program provides first-time nature experiences and provides the opportunity for youth to view themselves as scientists and caretakers of our shared public lands.

3. Because fees create a barrier for many Portland schools and community groups to participate, grant funds will allow PP&R to provide free field trips for Title 1 Schools and community organizations.

4. Because transportation costs create a barrier for many Portland schools and community groups to participate, grant funds will allow PP&R to provide free transportation for Title 1 Schools and community organizations.

5. Being from underserved communities, the right equipment and gear for year-round NW weather can be an impediment or barrier keeping children from underserved communities from being able to participate.

6. Grant funding for gear will allow all youth to have access to these programs.

7. Being that the US Census Bureau estimates that by 2042, 50% of the US population will be people of color, yet trends in the environmental workforce show that ethnic minorities are severely underrepresented, these programs work to empower youth of color to pursue work in the environmental field and encourages peers of all races, ethnicities, genders, abilities, and religions to be allies. 

8. Grant funding will support PP&R to continue these environmental education programs during these acutely difficult fiscal times.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:

1. The Mayor is hereby authorized to accept on behalf of the City of Portland a grant (Exhibit A) in the amount of $40,000 from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service – Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office for Environmental Education Programs.
2. The FY 2021/2022 budget is hereby amended as follows:
    

   PP&R Environmental Education Programs

   Subsidize nature-based field trip fees and transportation costs for low-income schools and community organizations Experiences will be shaped by new community standards around COVID and will be responsive to community needs.	$15,000
   Support for up to three casual staff to co-lead field trips and mentor youth.  Experiences will be shaped by new community standards around COVID and will be responsive to community needs.	$20,000
   Supplies and outdoor gear to make participation possible for youth to participate; winter jackets, rain pants, supplies water bottles, boots, supply storage	$5,000

   GRANTS FUND
   Fund – 217
   Business Area – PK000063
   Bureau Program Expenses–$40,000
3. The Office of Management & Finance Grants Management Division is authorized to perform all administrative matters in relation to the grant application, grant agreement or amendments, requests for reimbursement from the grantor, and to submit required online grant documents on the Mayor’s behalf.
4. The Director of Portland Parks & Recreation of the City of Portland is authorized to accept on behalf of the City of Portland any subsequent modifications by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office for Environmental Education Programs, provided such modifications do not increase the City of Portland’s financial obligation or risk. Any modifications that increase the City of Portland’s financial obligation or risk must be authorized by the Portland City Council.

Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists because a delay would unnecessarily hinder the City’s ability to accept the funds and perform the activities authorized by the grant; therefore, this ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Council.