• Pennsylvania's conservation grants fund projects statewide.Forest image by filipkaluzny from Fotolia.com
  
  Pennsylvania Department of Conservation of Natural Resources grants cover more than conservation efforts. They fund recreational projects such as developing snowmobile trails and converting abandoned railroad tracks into hiking trails, protection of natural resources such as rivers and watersheds, and education efforts geared toward the community's relationship with nature. The DCNR has an online application system for its grants available on the DCNR website.
  
  

Conservation

• Land Trust Projects grants fund land trusts planning and acquisition of critical habitat, open space and natural areas. The grants require a 50 percent match or land donation. The DCNR's Bureau of Recreation and Conservation oversees the grant.
  
  Rivers Conservation grants fund those developing watershed and river conservation plans. These grants are matching funds grants, offering 50 percent of the project costs. Municipalities, counties, local government authorities and nonprofits such as river conservation groups are eligible. Projects include bank stabilization, waterfront improvements, river access, recreation development, archaeological or historical projects and habitat restoration projects.
  
  

Recreation

• Pennsylvania Recreational Trail grants maintain and develop trails and facilities for trails used for both motorized and non-motorized recreation. The grants can be awarded to federal and state agencies, local governments, nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Applicants must match 20 percent of the grant total, except in cases of acquisition, where the grant will cover half of the acquisition cost. Otherwise, the money must be split: 30 percent for motorized recreation, 30 percent for non-motorized recreation and 40 percent to facilitate diverse trail use.
  
  Rails-to-Trails grants are for building up the rail-trail corridors---sections of abandoned railroad that are being converted to trails. The grant requires a 50 percent cash or in-kind match, except for land acquisition projects which require cash or a land donation. This grant also is administered by the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. The grants can be awarded to county or municipal governments, land trusts and nonprofits.
  
  Snowmobile or ATV grants are available to assist in planning, acquiring, constructing and maintaining areas and facilities for snowmobile or ATV use. Nonprofits and local government are eligible. For-profit corporations are eligible if using lands not owned by the commonwealth. Applicants must match 20 percent of the cost, except land acquisition, which requires a 50 percent match.
  
  

Protection

• The Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant is aimed at protecting the state's forests and agricultural lands. It's awarded to help train, organize and equip local firefighters in communities with less than 10,000 residents in an effort to prevent, control and suppress fires. As of 2010, the grants were limited to $7,500 per fire company. The grants are administered by the DCNR's Bureau of Forestry. There are restrictions on the types of equipment that can be purchased with the grant.
  
  

Personnel and Education

• Technical Assistance grants are available for education, training and preparation of materials for informing professionals or the public on matters of recreation, parks, conservation, natural areas, open space and trails. The grant is available for government agencies, land trusts, nonprofits and schools of higher education. The DCNR does not have a defined scope for technical assistance projects, but applicants must pay 20 percent of the cost.
  
  Peer-to-peer grants help fund cooperative efforts between park, recreation and conservation professionals in neighboring communities. County and municipal governments are eligible. The receiving agency must match 10 percent of funds and an elected official is required to participate in any planning operations. The maximum grant is $10,000.
  
  Circuit rider grants provide funds for counties and multi-municipal agencies to hire professional staff to initiate programs and services for county or municipalities that cannot hire a professional staff person. The purpose is to aide counties and municipalities in meeting their recreational or conservation needs. The grant covers 100 percent salary for the first year and a diminishing percentage in subsequent years. It also includes money toward training and mentoring expenses.