Supporting innovation in conservation and nature equity.
Regional Vision Demonstration Projects
Background
In August 2023, the Metro Denver Nature Alliance (Metro DNA) Steering Committee unanimously decided to create a vision that lays the foundation for a regional collective impact model and greater resources for our collective goals. In service of that vision, Metro DNA will be providing funding for multiple demonstration projects designed to help prioritize and catalyze greater investments in habitat protection and connection, and equitable access to nature across the seven-county metro Denver region. One of our goals is to gain greater understanding of barriers, opportunities, and best practices in urban conservation in the region. In keeping with the “demonstration” intent of these projects, Metro DNA will be engaging recipients in learning how the projects might inform, guide, and strengthen the foundation for a regional vision for people and nature.
2025 Regional Vision Demonstration Projects
Metro DNA is excited to support a second round of Regional Vision Demonstration Project grants!
2025 Grant Opportunity
In this second round we will continue to prioritize projects from existing members, organizations closely affiliated, and/or in partnership with existing members of Metro DNA.
Metro DNA will also be prioritizing projects that are already partially funded and plan to be completed within one year of the grant award.
We will be prioritizing projects that strive to make unique and tangible positive impacts for both Metro DNA's habitat goals and equitable access to nature goals.
Project applications that focus on funding existing/ongoing programs may score lower depending on the nature of the project and the contribution to the range of scoring criteria.
In hopes of providing high-level guidance for how Metro DNA will likely be selecting projects, we have created this document with a range of likely selection criteria, definitions related to those criteria, and some example projects.
Timing
Proposals were due on December 11, 2024.
We plan to provide notice on grant awards to all who apply by Friday, January 31, 2025.
Questions?
Feel free to reach out to us via email: info@metrodna.org
2023-2024 Regional Vision Demonstration Project Grants
Members of both the Executive and Steering Committees evaluated and selected the Regional Vision Demonstration Projects using a fair scoring process that reflected the priorities identified by the Regional Equity Assessment and Regional Conservation Assessment.
Metro DNA is proudly supporting six demonstration projects in the metro Denver region that exemplify cohesion of our Regional Equity and Conservation Assessments and support productive alliances for people and nature.
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2023-2024 Regional Vision Demonstration Project Grants
Bluff Lake Nature Center Northwest Access Entrance Project - Facilitated by Bluff Lake Nature Center
Daniels Park Grassland Demonstration Garden: Reconnecting Metro Denver to Colorado’s native and
culturally significant plants - Facilitated by Denver Zoo
Healthy Water, Healthy Communities - Facilitated by Groundwork Denver
Open Space Restoration at The Urban Farm - Facilitated by The Urban Farm
Tierras Verdes - 4790 Josephine - Facilitated by The GES Coalition
Ecological factors determine tree-planting success along an urban greenway - Facilitated by Denver Botanic Gardens
You can learn more about the six demonstration projects on this story map and stay tuned for updates about these projects here and on our social media channels!
Learn More
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Bluff Lake Nature Center Northwest Access Entrance Project
Facilitated by Bluff Lake Nature Center
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Daniels Park Grassland Demonstration Garden
Facilitated by Denver Zoo
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Healthy Water, Healthy Communities
Facilitated by Groundwork Denver
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Open Space Restoration at The Urban Farm
Facilitated by The Urban Farm
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Tierras Verdes - 4790 Josephine
Facilitated by The GES Coalition
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Ecological factors determine tree-planting success along an urban greenway
Facilitated by Denver Botanic Gardens