West Chester, PA (January 26, 2024) – Counties, municipalities, land trusts, nonprofit organizations, and other eligible agencies can now apply for state grant funding to support outdoor recreation and conservation projects, state Senator Carolyn Comitta said.
Applications are open for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Community Conservation Partnerships Program. The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3.
“Investments in preserving open space, protecting our waterways, and expanding outdoor recreation means more opportunities to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of nature,” said Comitta, who serves as minority chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. “The Community Conservation Partnerships Program has provided millions in funding for environmental stewardship and protection across our region. These grants can go a long way in supporting parks, open space, and other outdoor projects. I encourage all eligible applicants to apply.
Last year, the program awarded more than $52 million to more than 225 local and community projects across the Commonwealth, including a total of more than $1.5 million for seven projects in Chester County. Statewide, those awards will help build or renovate more than 80 local parks, 23 miles of trails, and permanently protect 6,000 acres of land for public recreation.
Eligible projects include:
- Park and recreation rehabilitation and new development.
- Recreation and conservation planning.
- Trail planning and construction.
- Land acquisition and conservation.
- River access and conservation.
- Community and riparian tree planting.
- Regional and statewide partnerships to better develop and manage resources.
“We are excited to open up the Community Conservation Partnerships Program grants for 2024 and look forward to reviewing worthy applications from across the Commonwealth,” DCNR Secretary Cindy Dunn said. “These grants are key to achieving the Shapiro administration’s goal of investing in public health, safety, and wellness for all Pennsylvanians through the outdoors and critical conservation projects.”
Grant applications are only accepted through DCNR’s Grants Customer Service Portal. A portal tutorial video is available on DCNR’s YouTube channel to help potential applicants learn about grant requirements and how to navigate the application interface.
DCNR staff are available to assist with answering questions, visiting potential project sites, and developing competitive grant applications. Before starting an application, potential applicants should contact the agency regional advisor who serves the county where their project will be located. Contact information is available on the Regional Staff Assignment map.
“We encourage all manner of projects to apply for these grants to help support important community conservation projects,” DCNR Deputy Secretary Claire Jantz said. “These grants are key in helping DCNR accomplish its mission to conserve and sustain Pennsylvania’s natural resources for present and future generations’ use and enjoyment, and our staff is available to assist throughout the application process.”
Funding for Community Conservation Partnerships Program grants comes from multiple state and federal sources, including:
- Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund
- Environmental Stewardship Fund
- Pennsylvania Heritage Area Program
- Keystone Tree Fund
- Land and Water Conservation Fund
- Recreational Trails Program
Community Conservation Partnerships Program grants have helped permanently protect more than 435,000 acres across Pennsylvania for outdoor recreation, wildlife habitat, and water quality. More than 40 percent of Pennsylvania’s 6,200 local parks have received DCNR grants.
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