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Outdoor Places, Shared Spaces.

January 28, 2026

Community Conservation Partnerships Program Announces Grant Awards
officials and trail users cut the ribbon on a new trail project
officials celebrate the groundbreaking of a new park
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) recently announced awards from the 2025 round of Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) grants.
Awards totaled nearly $82 million for 295 recreation and conservation projects across Pennsylvania. The DCNR website includes a complete list of awarded projects.
“The outdoors are for everyone — whether you enjoy spending time at a local park, out on the water, or on a trail — every Pennsylvanian deserves access to safe, welcoming outdoor spaces close to home,” said Governor Shapiro. “Because of our investments, communities across Pennsylvania will be able to improve parks, build new trails, and help more people enjoy the benefits of nature, in cities and rural towns alike.”
Among the projects funded were:
  • 140 park, recreation, and conservation facility projects
  • 4,818 acres of land conservation to expand public access
  • 53 statewide and regional conservation and recreation organizations
  • 22 community and watershed forestry projects
  • 29 trail planning and development projects
  • 16 river conservation projects
Funding for this round of C2P2 comes from the Keystone Fund, Environmental Stewardship Fund, and other funding sources.
Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 round of funding. To get started, visit the DCNR Grants Customer Service Portal.

Featured Project: New Video Collection Highlights Nature-Based Economic Development
The Kittatinny Ridge Conservation Landscape recently released a video collection highlighting ties between the land and economic development.
Its “Business on the Ridge” series interviewed five business owners along the Kittatinny Ridge who weave the region’s natural resources into their operations and identities.
“This is the home farm,” says Will Brownback, owner of Spiral Path Farm, in one video. “I feel very tied to the land here and want future generations to also feel that sense of home.”
For over 20 years, Pennsylvania’s Conservation Landscapes Program has been using place-based partnerships to drive strategic investments and actions around sustainability, conservation, community revitalization, and recreation.
The eight landscapes cover more than 15 million acres of land. More than 4.8 million Pennsylvanians live in a conservation landscape.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources supports the conservation landscapes with grants from the Environmental Stewardship Fund.
birds-eye view of the Doyle Hotel with a video play mark over it

Featured Project: 35-Year Leases Support Small Business in the PA Wilds
Another conservation landscape supporting small business and outdoor tourism in Pennsylvania is the PA Wilds. The commonwealth’s largest conservation landscape, the PA Wilds includes 13 counties in northcentral Pennsylvania.
In a sign of commitment to the region, the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources recently announced a 35-year lease agreement for the Center to operate gift shops at Kinzua Bridge and Leonard Harrison State Parks.
The shops sell products that are 90 percent sourced from small businesses in rural areas of the PA Wilds.
“Thirty-five year leases are a big deal,” said PA Wilds Center CEO Ta Enos. “They give small businesses, community partners, current and future employees, and funders the confidence to invest with us because they know what we’re building is here to stay.”
About half the money earned from the shops goes directly back to rural small businesses. The rest helps run the stores and support jobs.

Water Trail Mini-Grants Awarded
a person kayaks on a river with a forested hillside in the background
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) recently announced recipients of the 2026 Pennsylvania Water Trail mini-grants.
The mini-grants support projects that improve the paddling experience on Pennsylvania’s designated water trails.
PEC administers the Pennsylvania Water Trail Program in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and the National Park Service. The program promotes and maintains a network of waterways offering exceptional recreational opportunities for non-motorized boating.
DCNR supports the mini-grants with funding from the Environmental Stewardship Fund.

Grant Application Tip
stylized graphic of a green dollar sign
The annual Community Conservation Partnerships Program grant application period is open through 4:00 PM on Thursday, April 30.
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: Check out the department’s YouTube channel for helpful tutorial videos and walkthroughs.
Missed the November grant workshop or need a refresher? Videos of the general session and every breakout are in one convenient playlist.
Unsure how to navigate the portal? Our step-by-step walkthrough guides you through every page of the application.
video link for Community Conservation Partnerships Program 2026 grant workshop general session

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