Land and Water Conservation Fund 

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Program, administered in Kansas by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP), is a federally funded initiative committed to enhancing outdoor recreational opportunities across the United States. Established by Congress in 1964 and permanently funded through the Great American Outdoors Act in 2020, the LWCF supports state and local governments through matching grants to acquire and develop public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. The program is notable for its funding source—primarily derived from offshore oil and gas leasing revenues—rather than taxpayer dollars, and it has been instrumental in supporting projects in nearly every county across the nation. KDWP serves as the state administrator for the LWCF in Kansas, managing the application and selection process for eligible public entities. Through this program, Kansas communities can receive financial support to build or improve recreational infrastructure, such as playgrounds, restrooms, visitor centers, trail systems, cabins, and other park amenities. These investments serve both conservation and community enrichment goals by promoting access to green spaces and enhancing residents’ quality of life. The 2026 application cycle is currently open, with a final submission deadline of 5:00 PM on July 1, 2026. Applicants are required to download and complete the updated LWCF application form and review the revised Open Project Selection Process (OPSP) documentation. These documents are essential for understanding project eligibility, evaluation criteria, and submission mechanics. All files must be downloaded from the KDWP SharePoint portal before editing; direct edits within SharePoint are not permitted. Eligible applicants include state and local units of government. Funding is structured as a matching grant, typically requiring a 50% non-federal cost share, though the specific match requirements are detailed within the application materials. Projects must focus on public outdoor recreation and demonstrate lasting benefits to their communities. Award amounts vary depending on project scope and available funding, but notable recent awards in Kansas include revitalization of community parks, development of splash pads, accessible restrooms, campground upgrades, and new trail systems. Applications are evaluated based on the criteria outlined in the OPSP, which includes project need, community impact, sustainability, and alignment with Kansas’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). There is no indication of a pre-application phase such as a Letter of Intent or concept submission; the process appears to rely on a single full proposal deadline. For assistance or inquiries, applicants can contact Riston Landwehr at the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks via phone at 620-672-5911 or email at riston.landwehr@ks.gov. The grant cycle follows an annual rhythm, and recurring application cycles can be anticipated. Given the current open status, prospective applicants are encouraged to begin preparing their proposals promptly to meet the July 1, 2026 deadline.

Review OPSP and application instructions carefully; ensure all documents are downloaded before editing.