50/50 Conservation Grant

The 50/50 Conservation Grant, administered by the Eagle County Conservation District (ECCD), is a cost-share funding initiative aimed at supporting conservation-focused improvements on private lands within Eagle County, Colorado. ECCD, an organization dedicated to equipping landowners and agricultural producers with resources for land stewardship and natural resource conservation, created this annual grant program to enhance soil health, water quality, wildlife habitat, vegetation management, and sustainable land practices. The grant reflects ECCD’s mission to promote environmental resilience and its 2026–2030 Strategic Operating Plan priorities. This program is tailored for private landowners and land managers within the ECCD boundary and explicitly excludes municipal and government properties from eligibility. The grant provides a 50/50 cost-share match, with a maximum award of $15,000 per project. Applicants must contribute an equal share toward project costs, of which at least 50% must be in cash. The remaining match can include in-kind contributions such as labor, materials, or contractor services, provided they directly relate to the project. The total maximum eligible project cost is $30,000. Costs above this limit are not covered by ECCD funds and are the sole responsibility of the applicant. Grant funds can be used for a wide array of technical, on-the-ground conservation practices. Examples include cover cropping, erosion control, irrigation infrastructure improvements, invasive species management, pollinator habitat creation, riparian restoration, wildlife connectivity projects, and climate-smart agricultural strategies. Projects that address multiple resource areas—land, water, vegetation, wildlife, or sustainability—are favored during evaluation. Preference is given to applications that demonstrate long-term ecological or community benefit and align with ECCD’s conservation goals. Applications are accepted via email or in hard copy and must include a complete package: Project Scope and Deliverables (Exhibit A), Budget and Budget Narrative (Exhibit B), signed Terms and Conditions, a W-9, and optional supporting materials. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered. Funding is awarded competitively, based on the Grant Scoring Rubric, and all projects must be completed within one year of the grant award. Award disbursement occurs on a reimbursement basis, with monthly payments available upon submission of eligible expenses of at least $1,000. A final disbursement is only made after receipt of a final report. The program has two application cycles in 2026. The first deadline is March 31 for projects to be implemented during 2026. The second deadline is September 30 and will be the recurring annual cycle for implementation in the following year. Because the September 30 deadline recurs annually, the program is considered recurring. Recipients may apply for a one-year project extension if needed. Required reporting includes a mid-year update by July 31 and a final report by December 15. ECCD’s district manager, Allegra Waterman-Snow, is the primary contact for questions and guidance related to the application and funding process. The grant process is designed to be competitive, transparent, and focused on funding the most impactful projects that meet the strategic conservation goals of ECCD. With a focus on technical conservation practices, matched investment from landowners, and an emphasis on measurable environmental outcomes, the 50/50 Conservation Grant represents an important tool for enhancing the ecological and agricultural resilience of Eagle County.

Highlight multiple natural resource benefits and measurable outcomes to strengthen application.