State Natural Resources Grants

This grant provides financial and technical support to local governments, academic institutions, and non-profits for projects that improve water quality, restore waterways, enhance climate resilience, and promote environmental stewardship in Maryland.

This grant provides funding for local governments and non-profit organizations to design and construct habitat restoration projects that combat erosion and flooding while benefiting communities and addressing climate change.

This funding opportunity is designed to assist local and state organizations, private companies, and nonprofits in Maryland with projects that improve water quality by reducing pollution in designated watersheds.

This grant provides funding to local governments, non-profits, and educational institutions to implement projects that improve flood resilience and tackle the effects of climate change.

This grant provides funding to non-profits, schools, and government agencies to develop environmental education projects that empower students and communities to protect Chesapeake and coastal ecosystems.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Chesapeake & Coastal Service (CCS) offers grants to support the sustainable development and use of Maryland waterways. Funded by the Waterway Improvement Fund (WIF), the program supports projects that improve and promote the recreational and commercial capabilities, conditions, and safety of Maryland’s waterways. Eligible applicants, including county, town, or city governments and state or federal agencies, can apply for projects such as constructing or maintaining public boating facilities, dredging channels, and purchasing fire/rescue vessels. Applications are due by September 18, 2024, with funding available starting July 1, 2025.

This program provides financial assistance to marinas and boat docking facilities in North Carolina's coastal counties for installing or upgrading sewage pumpout stations to improve water quality.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state agencies, local governments, and special purpose districts to create or improve recreational facilities in economically disadvantaged communities.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is accepting grant applications for the Land and Water Conservation Fund program until September 13, 2024. The program provides 50 percent reimbursement to selected outdoor recreation projects sponsored by political subdivisions and other public agencies. Eligible projects include the development and/or acquisition of outdoor facilities for public recreation. Applications will be reviewed for eligibility according to the LWCF guidelines and the 2021 Kansas Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). Applications should include all required documentation and meet the needs identified in the 2021 Kansas Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). A checklist is included to ensure project sponsors have met all requirements. Incomplete or late applications will result in withdrawal from funding consideration. Federal Standard Forms (SF-424) for Budget Information and Compliance Assurance are also required.

The Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm Grants is for tree repair, removal or replacement within urban areas following a catastrophic storm event for which the governor has declared a state of emergency under s. 323.10, Wis. Stats. Donor Name: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources State: Wisconsin County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/27/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: A catastrophic storm means damage to urban forests caused by snow, ice, hail, wind or tornado. Catastrophic storm does not include insect infestation or disease, forest fire, drought or water saturation due to flooding. Funding Information  Grants range from $4,000 to $50,000. Grant Period 1 Year. Eligible Costs Eligible costs are limited to damaged tree repair, removal or replacement within urban areas in the geographic area covered by the state of emergency and incurred as a direct result of the catastrophic storm event for which the governor has declared a state of emergency. Eligible costs are those necessary for—and consistent with—damaged tree repair, removal or replacement. Costs must be documented and reasonable. Eligible costs include regular wages and fringe benefits of people working directly on tree repair, removal or replacement (overtime costs are not eligible) and cost of services, supplies, equipment or facilities used for tree repair, removal or replacement. Costs reimbursed by another funding source (including federal disaster assistance or insurance) are not eligible. Eligibility Criteria Cities, villages, towns, counties, tribes and 501(c)(3) organizations that have experienced damage to an urban forest as a direct result of a catastrophic storm event for which the governor has declared a state of emergency are eligible to apply for an urban forestry catastrophic storm grant. Private property owners are not eligible for this funding. Urban forest damage must have occurred in an area with a minimum of 100 residents per square mile. Residential density is determined from statistics provided by the Wisconsin Demographic Services Center [exit DNR] according to U.S. Census Bureau data. For more information, visit Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

This grant provides funding to local governments and nonprofit organizations in Indiana for the development and improvement of public shooting ranges, promoting recreational shooting opportunities and hunter education.

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) is currently accepting applications for the popular Micro-Grant for Food Security Program (MGFSP). Donor Name: Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) State: Hawaii County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/12/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 4 Years Details: This is the fourth year of the grant program which provides support for small-scale gardening, herding and livestock operations to increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food in food-insecure communities. A total of $3,576,470 is available for this year’s program which was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the 2018 Farm Bill. Examples of the types of activities that may be funded under this grant include: Small-Scale Gardening – purchase tools or equipment, soil, seeds, plants, canning equipment, refrigeration, composting equipment, towers, hydroponic and aeroponic farming. Small-Scale Herding and Livestock Operations – purchase animals, buy, erect or repair fencing for livestock. Apiary – bees and bee boxes, education, expanding food markets. Eligibility Criteria  This year’s program is open to: Individuals, including backyard farmers – for the amount set at $5,000 per applicant. Applicants must be Hawai‘i resident, at least 18 years old and head of the household. Those previously granted awards under the MGFSP are ineligible. Organizations that are registered to do business in Hawai‘i, including Native Hawaiian, nonprofits, federally funded educational facilities – for the amount set at $10,000 per applicant. Organizations receiving awards will be required to provide matching funds of at least 10% of the grant award. The matching funds cannot be derived from other federal sources. For more information, visit Hawaii Department of Agriculture.

The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) is excited to announce the Youth Community Access Program to expand outdoor access and build a healthier California. Donor Name: California Natural Resources Agency State: California County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/14/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: YEPEITA funds appropriated to the California Natural Resources Agency (the State) are to be used for competitive grants to support youth access to natural or cultural resources with a focus on low-income and disadvantaged communities. The grants may include, but are not limited to,  community education and recreational amenities to support youth substance use prevention and early intervention. The Youth Community Access Grant Program is a competitive program to award grants to communities disproportionately affected by past federal and state drug policies, also known as the War on Drugs, as well as other underserved communities. The Youth Community Access Grant Program aims to be a resource to address and repair the multi-generational community impacts of the War on Drugs. Funding Priorities Projects containing one or more of the following elements will be given priority consideration in funding decisions: Projects in which youth participate in project planning, decision making, facilitation, and evaluation Projects in which youth participate in outreach and awareness campaigns Projects that empower youth to make healthy choices Projects that empower youth to make healthy choices Funding Information The maximum award for an individual project is $300,000. The minimum award is $25,000. Eligibility Criteria Eligible applicants include local, state, and federal agencies; nonprofit organizations; and federally recognized Native American tribes. Nonprofit organizations are defined as any nonprofit public benefit corporation that is formed pursuant to the Nonprofit Corporation Law, incorporated for a minimum of two years, qualified to do business in California, and qualified as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization under the US Internal Revenue Code. Requirements To be eligible for funding, projects must meet ALL the following program requirements: Project must serve youth. For the purposes of this program, youth is defined as a person between the ages of birth and 26 years old. Project must directly support youth access to either natural or cultural resources. Project must include design features and program elements to promote youth health, safety, well-being, and comfort. For more information, visit CNRA.

The Department of Toxic Substances Control's (DTSC) Site Mitigation and Restoration Program Office of Brownfield manages the Equitable Community Revitalization Grant, which provides approximately $185 million in grants through a competitive process for investigations and cleanup of brownfields, in disadvantaged, vulnerable communities, to protect public health and provide opportunities for community revitalization.

This grant provides financial assistance to local agencies and organizations in California for the construction, operation, and maintenance of facilities that help recreational boaters properly dispose of sewage waste, promoting cleaner waterways and safer boating experiences.

This funding program provides financial assistance to local water systems, particularly those serving disadvantaged communities, to ensure access to safe and reliable drinking water and to address urgent water quality issues.

This funding provides financial support for projects that restore natural resources, enhance public access to outdoor recreation, and promote community resilience against wildfires in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is accepting applications for its Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grants. Donor Name: Illinois Department of Natural Resources State: Illinois County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 09/13/2024 Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Program is a state-financed grant program that provides funding assistance to local government agencies for acquisition and/or development of land for public parks and open space. Funding Information Grant awards up to $1,725,000.00 are available for acquisition projects, while development/renovation projects are limited to a $600,000 grant maximum. Eligible Projects Example of Eligible Projects include: Acquisition of land for new park sites or park expansion, water frontage, nature study, and natural resource preservation. Development/Renovation of: Picnic and playground facilities; Outdoor nature interpretive facilities; Sports courts and play fields; Swimming pools, beaches and bathhouses; Campgrounds and fishing piers; winter sports facilities; Park roads and paths, parking, utilities and restrooms; and Architectural/engineering (A/E) services necessary for proper design and construction of approved project components. Eligibility Criteria OSLAD grants are available to units of local government that are authorized by Illinois law to expend public funds for the acquisition and development of land for public outdoor park, recreation, or conservation purposes are eligible to apply for funding assistance. School districts are not eligible. For more information, visit IDNR.

Introduction EEM projects must contribute to mitigation of the environmental effects of transportation facilities. The California Natural Resources Agency (Agency) prescribes procedures and criteria to evaluate grant project proposals and submits a list of projects recommended for funding to the California Transportation Commission (CTC). The CTC awards grants to projects from Agency’s list. Related Transportation Facility EEM projects must mitigate, either directly or indirectly, the environmental impacts of a) the modification of an existing Transportation Facility or b) the construction of a new Transportation Facility (hereafter Related Transportation Facility or RTF). The EEM project can be the required mitigation for the RTF or enhancement to mitigation required for the RTF. Statewide Project Goals Agency grant programs assist state and local entities to develop more sustainable communities, increase adaptability to climate change using nature-based strategies, and protect biodiversity in compliance with Executive Order N-82-20, the Pathways to 30 x 30 California, and the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy. Projects that demonstrate the following multiple benefits will be more competitive: • Improved air and/or water quality. • Reduced consumption of natural resources and energy. • Increased reliability of local water supplies. • Increased adaptability to climate change. • Increased protection and restoration of biodiversity Eligible Projects Examples The list below isn't comprehensive, but provides examples of project elements that meet statutory conditions. Urban Forestry: • Planting of trees and plants along urban streets and medians. • Greening existing public lands and structures, including school campuses and urban parks. • Greening vacant lots and abandoned sites. • Restoration of urban creeks. Resource Lands: • Removal of invasive and restoration of natural plant species. • Enhancement or restoration of natural areas such as inland wetlands, forests, oak woodlands, mountain meadows, creeks, and streams with riparian or riverine fish or wildlife habitat, wildlife corridors and fish passages, coastal estuaries, grazing land and grasslands. • Acquisitions in fee title or through conservation easements to safeguard regional water supplies, protect riparian and wildlife habitats, conserve agricultural lands for secure wildlife migration corridors, and provide public access for compatible wildlife/nature-oriented recreation by the wider community. • Acquisitions to preserve in perpetuity Resource Lands for agricultural uses, open space, wetlands, biodiversity, etc. Mitigation Projects Beyond the Scope of the Lead Agency: Project examples listed under Urban Forestry and Resource Lands categories may be eligible for the Mitigation Projects Beyond the Scope of the Lead Agency category, if the mitigation or enhancement measures for the RTF were infeasible or beyond the jurisdiction and/or authority of the Lead Agency for the RTF. Project Criteria Questions Applicants must choose only one project category and respond to all questions in the selected category. If a question doesn't apply to the project, indicate Not Applicable with a brief explanation.

Introduction EEM projects must contribute to mitigation of the environmental effects of transportation facilities. The California Natural Resources Agency (Agency) prescribes procedures and criteria to evaluate grant project proposals and submits a list of projects recommended for funding to the California Transportation Commission (CTC). The CTC awards grants to projects from Agency’s list. Related Transportation Facility EEM projects must mitigate, either directly or indirectly, the environmental impacts of a) the modification of an existing Transportation Facility or b) the construction of a new Transportation Facility (hereafter Related Transportation Facility or RTF). The EEM project can be the required mitigation for the RTF or enhancement to mitigation required for the RTF. Statewide Project Goals Agency grant programs assist state and local entities to develop more sustainable communities, increase adaptability to climate change using nature-based strategies, and protect biodiversity in compliance with Executive Order N-82-20, the Pathways to 30 x 30 California, and the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy. Projects that demonstrate the following multiple benefits will be more competitive: • Improved air and/or water quality. • Reduced consumption of natural resources and energy. • Increased reliability of local water supplies. • Increased adaptability to climate change. • Increased protection and restoration of biodiversity Eligible Projects Examples The list below isn't comprehensive, but provides examples of project elements that meet statutory conditions. Urban Forestry: • Planting of trees and plants along urban streets and medians. • Greening existing public lands and structures, including school campuses and urban parks. • Greening vacant lots and abandoned sites. • Restoration of urban creeks. Resource Lands: • Removal of invasive and restoration of natural plant species. • Enhancement or restoration of natural areas such as inland wetlands, forests, oak woodlands, mountain meadows, creeks, and streams with riparian or riverine fish or wildlife habitat, wildlife corridors and fish passages, coastal estuaries, grazing land and grasslands. • Acquisitions in fee title or through conservation easements to safeguard regional water supplies, protect riparian and wildlife habitats, conserve agricultural lands for secure wildlife migration corridors, and provide public access for compatible wildlife/nature-oriented recreation by the wider community. • Acquisitions to preserve in perpetuity Resource Lands for agricultural uses, open space, wetlands, biodiversity, etc. Mitigation Projects Beyond the Scope of the Lead Agency: Project examples listed under Urban Forestry and Resource Lands categories may be eligible for the Mitigation Projects Beyond the Scope of the Lead Agency category, if the mitigation or enhancement measures for the RTF were infeasible or beyond the jurisdiction and/or authority of the Lead Agency for the RTF. Project Criteria Questions Applicants must choose only one project category and respond to all questions in the selected category. If a question doesn't apply to the project, indicate Not Applicable with a brief explanation.