Please Note: If you are applying for the Fall 2022 grant round it is important for you to understand that most of the funding available comes from federal sources. Additional requirements and restrictions apply. See the FAQ document here.
The DCNR Bureau of Recreation and Conservation (BRC) builds connections between the citizens and the outdoors through recreation enhancement, natural resources conservation and community revitalization efforts. Click here to view our Grant Manual.
The Grant Process:
1) If you have not logged in or do not have an account, visit the Sign In page to get started.
2) Before you start your application, contact your Regional Advisor
3) Finish and submit your application
4) Relax while we process your grant
If you need additional assistance, feel free to call (1-800-326-7734, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM EST Monday through Friday) or email us at any time.
Grant Program
Open Date(s)
Description
Community and Watershed Forestry
Available until 12/31/2026 04:00 PM
The DCNR Community and Watershed Forestry Program provides financial assistance to identify locations in need of riparian forest buffers, lawn conversion, and community tree planting and to design, implement, and establish those practices. Eligible applicants requesting TreeVitalize funding should apply here.
Community Recreation and Conservation Planning
Available until 12/31/2026 04:00 PM
Planning projects "lay the groundwork" for future land acquisition, development and/or management of parks, recreational facilities, critical habitat, open space, natural areas, greenways, and river/watershed corridors.
DCNR Administrative Projects
Available until 12/31/2026 04:00 PM
Motorized Trails
Available until 12/31/2026 04:00 PM
Pennsylvania Recreational Trails (PRT) motorized projects. PRT motorized projects include the development, rehabilitation or maintenance of designated routes on land for all types of motorized recreation activities. Funding for projects in this category comes from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and DCNR is the designated state agency to administer this federal program in Pennsylvania. ONLY motorized trail projects applying for PRT funding should be submitted in this category. Match requirements are established at a minimum of 20%.
Non-motorized Trails
Available until 12/31/2026 04:00 PM
Trail projects include the acquisition, planning, development, rehabilitation, or maintenance of designated routes on land or water for non-motorized recreation activities.
Park Rehabilitation and Development
Available until 12/31/2026 04:00 PM
These projects involve the rehabilitation and development of public parks, recreation facilities, greenways and river conservation projects.
Peer and Circuit Rider
Open year round
These grant programs fund projects that help municipalities, counties, multi-municipal partnerships, and council of governments to increase local capacity for recreation, parks and conservation. The Peer program funds projects that, through a collaborative process, focus on a specific need identified by the grantee and its partners. The Circuit Rider program aides in the hiring of a full-time park, recreation or conservation professional whose services are shared by the members of a formal partnership, commission or authority.
State and Regional Partnerships
Available until 12/31/2026 04:00 PM
Partnerships projects are collaborative statewide or regional initiatives that help build local, county, regional and statewide capacity to better develop and manage recreation and park facilities and to promote the conservation of natural and heritage resources through plan implementation, education and training.