DCNR Announces 2024 Virtual Workshop to Explain Grant Application Process for Recreation, Conservation Projects

The workshop will take place Thursday, November 7 - any parties interested in applying for DCNR grants in 2025 is strongly encouraged to attend.

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania -- Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn today announced a free, virtual grant workshop for those seeking funding assistance for a new park, trail, or conservation project.

"This workshop provides valuable insight into the grant process and offers an opportunity for applicants to meet with knowledgeable DCNR staff directly and ask questions," said Secretary Dunn. "Residents of the Commonwealth have incredible plans for advancing conservation and recreation opportunities in their communities and we want the application process to be accessible and achievable for every municipality, nonprofit, or watershed group that wants to turn those plans into action."

The workshop will take place Thursday, November 7, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Anyone interested in applying for DCNR grants in 2025 is strongly encouraged to attend.

The grant workshop is especially suited for municipal officials, consultants, board members, trail managers, land trust staff, and park and recreation professionals.

The workshop will take place virtually via a Microsoft Teams Live Event. Attendees do not need Teams installed on their computers to access the workshop.

Videos of workshop presentations will be made available on the DCNR YouTube channel for those who cannot attend.

The workshop will explain:

• Who can apply?

• What can be funded?

• When funding will be available?

• How to make project applications more competitive?

The workshop is free, but pre-registration is required to ensure participants receive needed materials. To register, visit the DCNR Calendar of Events and choose November 7 as the date.

The workshop will include time for discussion with DCNR grant managers and regional advisers.

Project types discussed will include:

• Planning, constructing, and renovating community outdoor recreation facilities such as parks, pools, and playgrounds

• Land acquisition and conservation

• Non-motorized and motorized trail planning and construction

• River access and conservation

• Community and watershed forestry

• Statewide and regional partnerships

A general session for all applicants will begin at 9:00 AM. Project type-specific breakout sessions will follow.

Applicants should plan on attending both the general session and the breakout session for the project type of which they plan to apply.

DCNR's Bureau of Recreation and Conservation provides grants to support outdoor recreation and conservation projects, and has funded projects in every Pennsylvania county.

In 2023, the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation funded more than 225 projects totaling $54 million across the Commonwealth to support local parks, playgrounds, trails, nature preserves, boat launches, pools, ballfields, and more.

Grant funding comes from a mix of state and federal sources such as the state Environmental Stewardship Fund and the Keystone Fund; as well as the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.

For more information about DCNR grants, please contact one of the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation's regional office staff. Bureau staff can meet with community leaders and stakeholders to discuss projects and explore potential funding sources.​

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