June Is National Rivers Month! |
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June is National Rivers Month, a time to celebrate and protect the waterways that sustain our communities.
Pennsylvania has more than 80,000 miles of waterways. Among U.S. states, that makes the Commonwealth second only to Alaska in miles of waterways per square mile of land.
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Here at the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, our Rivers Program works to safeguard and enhance Pennsylvania rivers and streams. We do that by providing technical and financial support to partners across the state. These efforts improve watershed health and expand opportunities for water-based outdoor recreation.
While the program name highlights rivers, it supports initiatives that benefit all types of waterways and significant water resources.
Looking to get out on the water this summer? A Pennsylvania River Sojourn is a great opportunity to enjoy the water as part of a guided paddling group.
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Rivers Program Scope of Work Updated |
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One way the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) supports Pennsylvania waterways is by funding plans that will improve water quality and enhance recreational access to rivers and streams.
DCNR recently updated its waterway planning guidance to the new Watershed Conservation and Recreation Plan.
Previously called a Rivers Conservation Plan, the new guidance better reflects the variety of planning scales eligible for funding. Plans may focus on:
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- Entire watersheds
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Tributary segments
- Waterbodies (such as lakes or bays)
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Alongside these plans, Master Site Development Plans are also eligible for grant funding when they’re focused on water-based conservation, restoration, or recreation projects.
The grants offer flexibility to fit the plan to your study area and objectives. That said, plans that keep program priorities in mind have a better chance of getting funded. Watershed Conservation and Recreation Plan priorities include:
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- Recreation and connectivity
- Public participation
- Climate resiliency
- Stewardship and implementation
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Plans should be structured as a five- to ten-year roadmap, depending on the scope and scale of the work. Both municipalities and non-profit organizations are eligible.
As with any DCNR grant, please contact your DCNR regional advisor for more information prior to applying.
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New Video: Community Conservation Partnerships Program Brief Overview |
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The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) recently published a brief overview video about Community Conservation Partnerships Program grants.
The short video introduces the program and highlights a few examples of past projects.
Special thanks for the creation of this video go to Jamal Childs Jr., past intern at Chesapeake Conservation Partnership, and Cooper Naugle, 2026 Communications Intern in DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.
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Funding Opportunity: Wild Resource Conservation Program Accepting Applications |
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The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is accepting applications for the 2026 Wild Resource Conservation Program (WRCP).
The WRCP provides critical support for conserving non-game animals, native plants and fungi, and invertebrates such as insects — species often left out of traditional conservation programs but vital to the Commonwealth’s ecosystems.
“This program is key to ensuring science-driven, hands-on conservation work is done to protect Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable wildlife and plant species,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn.
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More than $500,000 is available to support projects across Pennsylvania.
Applications are being accepted through 4:00 PM on June 30, 2026. Apply using DCNR’s online grant portal.
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