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Outdoor Places, Shared Spaces.

November 12, 2025

Grant Workshop Videos Published
A video playlist of all 2026 Community Conservation Partnerships Program grant workshop sessions is now available.
Check them out if you missed our recent grant workshop, or if you want a refresher as you get ready for the next grant round.
We recommend watching the General Overview video first. Then watch the project type video that corresponds to the kind of grant you plan to apply for.
The 2026 grant round opens in about two months, on Monday, January 12.
For those interested in applying, it’s never too early to contact your regional advisor to schedule a site visit and discuss ways to make your application more competitive.
General session video of the 2026 Community Conservation Partnerships Program grant workshop

Featured Project: Pine Creek Rail Trail Connection to Wellsboro Opens
Partners cut the ribbon on the opening of the Pine Creek Rail Trail extension to Wellsboro
Visitors walk and ride bikes on the newly opened Pine Creek Rail Trail Extension.
It’s official: the Pine Creek Rail Trail now connects to Wellsboro.
The new three-mile connection opened recently. Critical investments of $6 million from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and the Department of Transportation (PennDOT) made the project possible.
The connection ensures a safe, direct route between Wellsboro’s downtown shops, restaurants, hotels, and the nationally recognized trail. It also closes another of Pennsylvania’s Top 10 Trail Gaps.
“This trail connection is a perfect example of how state and local collaboration can deliver real value to communities,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “It not only closes a major gap in our trail network but also strengthens Wellsboro as a destination for outdoor recreation.”
The Pine Creek Rail Trail Northern Extension is the result of close collaboration among DCNR, PennDOT, Tioga County’s Planning Department, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, and local municipalities.
“The Pine Creek Rail Trail Extension is a shining example of what can be accomplished through strong partnerships and a shared vision,” said Tioga County Commissioner Marc Rice. “From the very beginning, this project has been guided by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ commitment to expanding outdoor recreation and connecting communities through Pennsylvania’s trail network.”
A visitor center at the northern terminus of the extension is set to open to the public this fall. The center will feature community displays, local businesses, trail resources, and local history.

Featured Project: Bedford County to Add Outdoor Recreation Coordinator through Circuit Rider Program
cover of the Bedford County Peer Grant study
Bedford County will soon add an Outdoor Recreation Coordinator to its staff with the assistance of Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) funding.
In August, the Bedford County Commissioners, in collaboration with the Bedford County Development Association (BCDA), received a Circuit Rider grant to help offset the costs of the newly created, full-time position.
The grant came from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund.
“We are thrilled to see this position come to fruition,” said Jen Marsh, President and CEO of BCDA. “Community members and business owners rallied together to make this possible, and we are fortunate to have a forward-thinking board that truly understands the value of outdoor recreation.”
The process to secure the four-year capacity-building grant began with a Peer Management study, also funded by DCNR. The study assessed the need and defined the purpose of the new position.
The BCDA and Bedford County Commissioners spearheaded the study along with technical consultant Michael Baker International.
The Outdoor Recreation Coordinator will serve as a catalyst for expanding, connecting, and promoting outdoor recreation assets throughout Bedford County.
The initiative stems from the Bedford County Outdoor Recreation Alliance, an open group of outdoor enthusiasts and business owners who recognize the economic and community value of enhancing Bedford County’s trail network.
The new Outdoor Recreation Coordinator is anticipated to start in early 2026.

Funding Opportunity: Volunteer Fire Assistance Program
silhouette of a wildland firefighter with fires burning behind them
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is now accepting applications for its Volunteer Fire Assistance Program.
The program provides funding to help volunteer fire companies protect rural communities from wildfires.
“We appreciate the value of well-equipped and highly trained wildland firefighters and encourage fire companies to apply for these grants,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn.
Applications must be submitted electronically through DCNR’s Grants Customer Service Portal by 4:00 PM, Wednesday, December 31.
The maximum grant award in 2026 is $15,000 per fire company, with funding provided on a 50/50 cost-share basis.
Eligible applicants include local firefighting forces in rural areas or communities with fewer than 10,000 residents. Funding can be used for training and equipment purchases directly related to fighting brush and forest fires.

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