Choose a grant or funding opportunity below to learn about
Virginia Land Conservation Fund (VLCF)
Website: www.dcr.virginia.gov/virginia_land_conservation_foundation/index.shtml
Contact: John Davy, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, 203 Governor St., Richmond, VA 23219, (804) 786-1119, john.davy@dcr.virginia.gov
The VLCF (§10.1-1020 et.seq., http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+10.1-1020) is used to conserve certain categories of special land. Those categories are open spaces and parks, natural areas, historic areas, and farmland and forest preservation. A portion of the fund may be used for developing properties for public use. Matching grants provided to holders and public bodies for acquisition are generally used only for current projects; only in exceptional cases - where considerable public benefit and compelling, unusual financial need and circumstances have been shown - might grants be made for already complete purchases.
Virginia Open-Space Lands Preservation Trust Fund (VOSLPTF)
Website: www.virginiaoutdoorsfoundation.org/VOF/PTF.shtml
Contact: Tamara Vance, Virginia Outdoors Foundation, 302 Royal Lane, Blacksburg, VA 24060, and (540) 951-2822
The VOSLPTF (§10.1-1801.1, http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+10.1-1801.1) helps landowners cover costs of conveying conservation easements and the purchase of all or part of the value of the easements. Conservation easements preserve farmland, forestland, and natural and recreational areas by restricting intensive uses, such as development and mining, which would alter the conservation values of the land. Costs that the fund may reimburse include:
Website: http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/recreational_planning/vof.shtml
Contact: Jerry Cassidy, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, 203 Governor St., Richmond, VA 23219, (804) 786-3218, synthia.waymack@dcr.virginia.gov
The Department of Conservation and Recreation administers a grant-in-aid program for acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. These grants are for public bodies only. Towns, cities, counties, regional park authorities and state agencies may apply for 50 percent matching fund assistance from the Virginia Outdoors Fund (VOF). When available, these funds are provided through state general fund appropriations and from federal apportionment from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (L&WCF) meant for the acquisition and/or development of outdoor recreation areas. This is a reimbursement program meaning that the sponsoring agency should be capable of financing the project while requesting periodic reimbursement.
Virginia Recreational Trails Fund (VRTF)
Website: www.dcr.virginia.gov/recreational_planning/trailfnd.shtml
Contact: Jerry Cassidy, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, 203 Governor St., Richmond, VA 23219, (804) 786-6140, synthia.waymack@dcr.virginia.gov
The VRTF provides grants for developing and maintaining recreational trails and trail-related facilities. Funding may be provided to private organizations, local governments, other government entities, and federal agencies if teamed with private trail groups and organizations.
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
Website: www.dcr.virginia.gov/soil_&_water/crep.shtml
Contact: Gary Moore, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation,
203 Governor St., Richmond, VA 23219, (804) 692-0070, email gary.moore@dcr.virginia.gov
The CREP aims to improve the Virginia's water quality and wildlife habitat by offering rental payments to farmers who voluntarily restore riparian buffers, filter strips and wetlands through the installation of approved conservation practices. Another CREP goal is to establish 8,000 acres of perpetual conservation or open space easement statewide. State cost-share payments are administered through local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) offices. The state will reimburse up to 25 percent, not to exceed $200 per acre of restored buffer or wetland, of conservation practice costs deemed eligible by the local soil and water conservation district. There is also a 25 percent state income tax credit for out-of-pocket expenses, thus further reducing the landowner's cost. Federal reimbursement is made through the Farm Service Agency (FSA) for up to 50 percent of a participant's eligible expenses for implementing best management practices (BMP), such as fencing or alternative watering systems.
Farmland Protection Program (FPP)
Website: www.va.nrcs.usda.gov/NewsInfo/FactSheets/FPPandFPPA2002.doc
Contact: Ken Carter, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), 1606 Santa Rosa Rd., Suite 209, Richmond, VA 23229, (804) 287-1663
The voluntary Farmland Protection Program, managed by the NRCS, helps farmers keep land in agriculture. The program provides matching funds to state, local or tribal government entities and non-governmental organizations with existing farmland protection programs to purchase conservation easements. Participating landowners agree to keep land in agricultural uses and retain all rights to use the property for agriculture. To qualify for FPP, the land offered must be:
American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP)
Website: http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/funding.shtml
Contact (state): Leon App, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation,
203 Governor St., Richmond, VA 23219, (804) 786-4570, email david.dowling@dcr.virginia.gov
This program provides funding for battlefield preservation projects. Individual project funding has ranged from $1,000 to more than $115,000. The average grant is about $25,000. Although not required, the ABPP encourages matching funds or in-kind services. The program supports partnership projects that lead to the protection of battlefield land and sites associated with battlefields. The ABPP does not fund land acquisition or capital improvement projects. Projects associated with lands already owned by the National Park Service are not eligible for ABPP grants. Types of projects that support this goal may include:
Civil War Battlefield Acquisition Grants
Website: http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/LWCF2002.shtml
Contact: Leon App, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, 203 Governor St., Richmond, VA 23219, (804) 786-4570, david.dowling@dcr.virginia.gov
Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) monies are available to help states and localities acquire and preserve threatened Civil War battlefield land. The grants are awarded on to state and local governments. Private, nonprofit organizations can seeks to acquire these funds by applying in partnership with a state or local government agency. In Virginia, the designated agency partner is DCR.
LWCF grants will be awarded through a competitive process over three years. Each grant requires a dollar-for-dollar non-federal match. They are available for the fee simple acquisition of land, or for the acquisition of permanent, protective interests in land as listed by the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission, Civil War battlefields. Greater consideration is given to proposals for acquisition of endangered priority I or II battlefield lands.
Historic Resources (DHR) Incentives and Grants
Website: www.dhr.state.va.us
Contact: Virginia Department of Historic Resources, 2801 Kensington Ave., Richmond, VA 23221, (804) 367-2323, ext. 137, email webmaster@dhr.state.va.us
Contact the DHR for historic resources incentives and grants, including easements, archaeological threatened sites, local government grants, survey and planning cost-share, rehabilitation tax credits, state grants, and nonstate grants.
Water Quality Improvement Fund (WQIF)
Website: www.dcr.virginia.gov/soil_&_water/wqia.shtml
Contact: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, 203 Governor
St., Richmond, VA 23219, (804) 786-2064
WQIF is to provide water quality improvement grants to local governments, soil and water conservation districts and individuals for point and nonpoint source pollution prevention, reduction and control programs. This includes riparian open-space and conservation easements. The fund received no money for fiscal year 2002, hence no request for proposals will be issued.
