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Recreation for all.

DCNR Community Conservation Partnerships Program Grants Now Accepting Applications
The annual Community Conservation Partnerships Program grant application window is now open.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) oversees the grant program, which funds local recreation and conservation projects in communities across Pennsylvania.
Last year, the program awarded more than $79 million to more than 300 projects statewide.
Grant applications are only accepted through the DCNR Grants Customer Service Portal. A portal tutorial video is available to help applicants learn about grant requirements and how to navigate the application.
Applications are due by 4:00 PM, Wednesday, April 2.
Video walkthrough of the electronic application for the Community Conservation Partnerships Program

Funding Opportunity: Mini-Grant Partners Support Local Projects

One project type the Community Conservation Partnerships Program can support is the development of a mini-grant program. With mini-grants, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) provides funding to a partner. That partner then disburses the funding in small amounts through their own competitive grant program.
The idea is to support small, quick, local projects that contribute to natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation improvements.
In last year’s grant announcement, DCNR funded 18 mini-grant programs through 15 partner organizations.
Each mini-grant program has unique details that align with the partner’s goals and geographic area. Each program also has its own funding round and timeline.
If you have a conservation or outdoor recreation project that can be completed within one year and will cost roughly $50,000 or less, a mini-grant from one of these partners may be a good fit to help fund your project.
Organizations with mini-grants coming in 2025 include:

Celebrating 10 Years of Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps
Outdoor Corps members pose at a tree planting site in a field
Agency staff and outdoor corps members pose along a forested trail
The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps celebrates its 10-year anniversary in 2025.
The program has grown into Pennsylvania’s premier youth conservation work skills training program. It has expanded from five crews in 2016 to 29 crews in 2025.
More than 1,400 participants, aged 15-25, have come through the program.
Almost 60 alumni have found employment with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Others have gone on to find jobs in the National Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, county conservation districts, land conservancies, and private land management companies.
The Corps accomplishes a lot of conservation work each year. Since it started, the Corps has planted more than 18,000 native plants and trees. They have created or improved more than 1,000 miles of trail. And they have rehabilitated and installed countless user-support structures like bridges, kiosks, campgrounds, visitor information signs, trail structures, and pavilions.
As we celebrate the past 10 years, we hold up the hard work, partnerships, creativity, dedication, and community that have formed around this incredible program. DCNR is thankful for all our program partners and extremely proud of all the Outdoor Corps alumni that have risen to the occasion to make this program a success.

Registration Open for Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society Conference
Registration is now open for the 2025 Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society (PRPS) annual conference.
The conference will be held March 16-19 at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey.
The conference theme, “PRPS University: Unlocking Potential, Shaping Tomorrow,” focuses on classic recreation topics as well as sessions that provide information on new concepts and exciting trends.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources supports the conference as part of a Partnership grant to PRPS. Funding comes from the Environmental Stewardship Fund.

Grant Application Tip
stylized dollar bill symbol
The annual Community Conservation Partnerships Program grant application period is open through 4:00 PM on Wednesday, April 2.
During the grant round, we’ll include tips in this e-news to help you submit the most competitive application you can.
This issue’s tip: Even though the grant round just opened, it’s never too early to contact your regional advisor for assistance. Regional advisors are available for site visits, questions, and project-specific advice.
In fact, the earlier you contact your regional advisor, the better. Advisors’ schedules fill up as the application deadline nears. Setting up a site visit early can help you identify potential issues with your project and give you more time to fix them before the grant round closes.
map showing the areas covered and contact information for regional advisors. Links to larger version.

Dates to Remember
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