Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program (GOSP)

The Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program (GOSP) was established following the passage of House Bill 332 and House Resolution 238 by the Georgia General Assembly in 2018, and was affirmed by public vote with 83% approval. The Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act became effective on July 1, 2019. This state-managed grant and loan initiative is administered by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and is designed to provide a dedicated funding source for the protection and acquisition of lands important to wildlife, clean water resources, and outdoor recreation across the state of Georgia. The purpose of the GOSP is to fund projects that conserve and enhance Georgia’s natural resources through the acquisition, stewardship, and improvement of state and local parks and trails, wildlife management areas, and conservation lands. Acceptable project types include those that support state parks and trails, local parks and trails of regional or state significance, stewardship of conservation land, or the acquisition of land critical to providing or protecting clean water, wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation, and military installation buffers. For the 2025–2026 funding cycle, GOSP requires all interested applicants to submit a Pre-application online beginning August 1, 2025. The Pre-application period will close on October 17, 2025. Following a competitive review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a Second-level application, which must be completed by May 29, 2026. Final approval of project agreements is expected to occur in the summer of 2026. The program is structured as a recurring funding opportunity and includes educational resources and workshops to assist applicants in preparing their proposals. Eligible applicants include qualified local governments (as determined by the Department of Community Affairs), constituted recreation authorities, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations with a conservation-focused mission. Application materials and resources include Pre-application and Second-level application forms, budget worksheets, environmental review documents, and implementation schedules. Applicants are advised to consult the 2025–2026 Program Manual and related guidance for complete submission instructions. Workshops will be conducted to support applicants, including an in-person session on June 3, 2025, at Indian Springs State Park, and an online webinar on June 5, 2025. These sessions are free and will cover the same content. Registration is required. Tutorial videos for the program are uploaded annually in July. Contact information for program inquiries includes Soheila Naji, Program Coordinator (soheila.naji@dnr.ga.gov, 404-463-8570), and Trevor Brownlee, Grants Specialist (miltontrevor.brownlee@dnr.ga.gov, 404-463-0288). The Board of Trustees, which oversees the GOSP, consists of 11 members and meets quarterly to evaluate and approve proposals in alignment with established program priorities.

Applicants are encouraged to attend educational workshops for guidance.