Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced that grant applications are now being accepted for recreation and conservation projects in communities across Pennsylvania.

“This COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the critical importance of parks, forests and trails to our mental and physical health as demonstrated by the significant increase in their use, even now during the cold months,” Dunn said. “Our DCNR grants can assist communities with local park acquisition and improvements, trails and river access that are so critically in demand.”

Dunn said for the first time this year, climate resiliency will be included in the criteria used to review grant applications. Grantees are asked to explain how their project implements sustainable and climate resilient adaptations and/or mitigations.

Grantees include local governments and recreation and conservation organizations.

The 2020 grant application round closes at 4 p.m. on April 14.

Funded through DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program, grants benefit planning, acquisition and development of: public parks, recreation areas, motorized and nonmotorized trails, river conservation and access, streamside forest buffers, open space conservation and regional and statewide partnerships to better develop and manage resources

For more information, visit DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnership Grant Program website.