OPRD release - Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries (OCHC) has awarded $62,500 in grants to 11 historic cemetery projects throughout the state through the Historic Cemeteries Grant program. The funds will help support preservation efforts, tree care and survey. Individual award amounts ranged from $3,500 - $8,405.  Funded projects:  Fence repair at the Adams Cemetery in Clackamas County and the Clatsop Plains Cemetery in Clatsop County.  Marker repair at Hillsboro Pioneer Cemetery, Eastwood IOOF Cemetery in Medford, Clatsop Plains Pioneer Cemetery, Greenwood Hills Cemetery in Portland, Kings Valley Cemetery in Benton County, Riverside Cemetery in Albany, and twin Oaks Cemetery in Marion County.  Tree work at Dallas Cemetery in Polk County.  Shed construction at Burch Family Pioneer Cemetery in Polk County.  Complete survey, geophysical survey and install an information kiosk at the Lower Cove Cemetery in Union County.  Historic cemeteries are documented by OCHC and must include the burial of at least one person who died 75 years before the current date.  The historic cemetery grant program is offered annually by the OCHC, part of the Oregon Heritage Program at Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). The grant program is supported by lottery and other funds.  OCHC maintains a list of all pioneer and historic cemeteries in the state. The seven-member appointed commission helps people and organizations document, preserve and promote designated historic cemeteries statewide.  For more information about the grant program or the OCHC, visit www.oregonheritage.org or contact Kuri Gill at [email protected] or 503-986-0685.