Coldwater Conservation Planning Grants

The Coldwater Conservation Planning Grant, offered through the Coldwater Heritage Partnership (CHP), provides funding for the development of comprehensive Coldwater Conservation Plans aimed at preserving and protecting Pennsylvania’s coldwater streams and their surrounding watersheds. This initiative is a collaboration among the Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds. The DCNR provides financial support through the Community Conservation Partnership Program. The Coldwater Heritage Partnership’s goal is to provide leadership and funding to assess and protect the ecological health of coldwater ecosystems across the Commonwealth. Planning grants of up to $10,000 are awarded to eligible organizations for the creation of Coldwater Conservation Plans. These plans serve as strategic documents that help local stakeholders identify watershed issues, assess environmental conditions, and recommend actionable solutions for conservation. The plans must include detailed sections covering the watershed’s background and geography, current and historical data, areas of concern, scientific findings, and proposed conservation strategies. Required plan sections include introduction, background, watershed description, summary of studies, methodology, analysis, areas of concern, recommendations, funding prospects, and conclusions. The planning process must engage local stakeholders through at least two public meetings—one early meeting to gather input and a final meeting to present the draft plan and obtain feedback. Eligible applicants include Pennsylvania-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, land trusts, watershed groups, educational institutions, conservation organizations, municipalities, municipal authorities, counties, and conservation districts. Entities without nonprofit status must identify a qualified fiscal sponsor to manage funds. All nonprofit applicants or fiscal agents must be registered with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Charitable Organizations. A 25% match of the total project cost is required, which may consist of cash or in-kind contributions such as volunteer labor or donated goods and services. The maximum total budget, including match, is $50,000. The grant will be awarded in two parts: 90% will be disbursed upon contract execution, and the remaining 10% upon approval of the completed plan, final budget, and a DCNR success story form. The Coldwater Heritage Partnership requires that the planning project be completed within 18 months of the award. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact CHP staff before applying to discuss the proposed project’s scope and eligibility. The final plan must be submitted in a single digital document and include all maps, figures, tables, and relevant appendices. Applications for the 2026 grant round (Round 31) must be submitted via email to [email protected] by Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 4:00 PM Eastern. Applicants should expect confirmation of receipt within 1–2 business days and should follow up if none is received. Questions about the grant or planning process can be directed to Eric Null, Executive Director of the Coldwater Heritage Partnership, at 724-640-1022.

Use both public meetings to build stakeholder buy-in; plans with specific, measurable recommendations are more competitive.