HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has announced the acceptance of grant applications for the 2024 cycle of the Community Conservation Partnerships Program (CCPP). This initiative offers funding for recreation and conservation projects across the state, supporting local governments and non-profit organizations in enhancing public health, safety, and wellness through outdoor activities and vital conservation efforts.
Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn expressed enthusiasm about this year’s program, stating, “These grants are key to achieving the Shapiro administration’s goal of investing in public health, safety, and wellness for all Pennsylvanians through the outdoors and critical conservation projects.”
In 2023, the CCPP awarded over $52 million to more than 225 local and community projects. These funds facilitated the construction or renovation of over 80 local parks, the creation of 23 miles of trails, and the permanent protection of 6,000 acres of land for public recreation.
The grants awarded by the CCPP support a broad range of initiatives, including park and recreation rehabilitation and new development, recreation and conservation planning, trail planning and construction, land acquisition and conservation, river access and conservation, community and riparian tree planting, and regional and statewide partnerships for resource management.
The grant application process, which opened last week, will continue until 4:00 P.M., Wednesday, April 3, 2024. Applications are accepted exclusively through the DCNR’s Grants Customer Service Portal, where a tutorial video is also available to guide potential applicants through the process.
Before starting an application, prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the agency regional advisor serving the county where their project will be located. DCNR staff are available to assist with answering questions, visiting potential project sites, and developing competitive grant applications.
“We encourage all manner of projects to apply for these grants to help support important community conservation projects,” said DCNR Deputy Secretary Claire Jantz. “These grants are key in helping DCNR accomplish its mission to conserve and sustain Pennsylvania’s natural resources for present and future generations’ use and enjoyment, and our staff is available to assist throughout the application process.”
The CCPP is funded by multiple state and federal sources, including the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, Environmental Stewardship Fund, Pennsylvania Heritage Area Program, Keystone Tree Fund, Land and Water Conservation Fund, and Recreational Trails Program.
Since its inception, the CCPP has helped permanently protect more than 435,000 acres across Pennsylvania for outdoor recreation, wildlife habitat, and water quality. Over 40 percent of Pennsylvania’s 6,200 local parks have benefited from a DCNR grant, demonstrating the program’s significant impact on the state’s green spaces.
As the DCNR opens the 2024 grant application round, the potential for further enhancing Pennsylvania’s outdoor and recreational landscapes remains immense. The grants represent not only an investment in the state’s natural resources but also a commitment to the well-being of its communities, making them a crucial tool for local governments and conservation non-profit organizations.
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