The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), administered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), provides matching grants to support the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities across Michigan. This federal program, under Part 703 of P.A. 451 of 1994 as amended, is a vital tool for enhancing public recreational spaces and is aligned with national conservation priorities. The Michigan DNR collaborates with the National Park Service (NPS), which makes the final funding decisions based on DNR recommendations.
The program’s primary objective is to ensure the availability of high-quality outdoor recreation opportunities by assisting state and local governments. Funding supports the acquisition of land and the development or improvement of public outdoor recreational amenities such as parks, trails, and green spaces. Projects must comply with Michigan’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) 2023–2027, which outlines strategic priorities and addresses statewide recreation trends, resource gaps, and stakeholder needs.
Eligible applicants include all units of government in Michigan, such as counties, cities, townships, villages, school districts, and tribal governments. These entities must possess a DNR-approved five-year recreation plan submitted by February 1 of the grant year to qualify for funding. Grant applications are submitted through MiGrants and must be completed by April 1 annually. The application process involves evaluation by DNR staff, recommendation to the NPS, and final funding approval by the NPS.
Funding requests must be at least $30,000 and can go up to $500,000 for development projects. There is no specified cap for land acquisition projects; however, awards cannot exceed the DNR’s federal apportionment. All grants require a matching contribution from applicants. Applications are scored based on predefined criteria and their alignment with SCORP objectives, ensuring transparency and strategic alignment with state goals.
The program contact is Christie Bayus, Program Manager at the DNR, who can be reached at [email protected] or 517-242-8737. Additionally, applicants may contact their regional grant coordinator for guidance. This grant is offered annually, with application and pre-requisite deadlines remaining consistent year over year, indicating a recurring funding opportunity.
Through the LWCF program, the Michigan DNR aims to foster a well-rounded, accessible, and sustainable recreational infrastructure statewide. By supporting the long-term development and conservation of public lands, this initiative directly enhances the quality of life for Michigan residents and contributes to statewide environmental stewardship and recreation-based economic development.
Strong alignment with SCORP improves evaluation score. A current 5-year plan is mandatory and must be pre-submitted by Feb 1.
