Land and Water Conservation Fund

The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a federally funded outdoor recreation grant program administered in Nebraska by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in coordination with the National Park Service. The program supports the acquisition, development, and renovation of public outdoor recreation facilities and spaces throughout Nebraska. Funding is intended to improve equitable access to parks and recreation opportunities while preserving outdoor recreation assets for long-term public use. The program is authorized under the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act and emphasizes projects that improve quality of life, support healthy lifestyles, increase recreational accessibility, and preserve outdoor recreation opportunities in perpetuity. Nebraska statutes direct that 60 percent of the state allocation be made available to political subdivisions through competitive grants. The grant program supports a broad range of outdoor recreation projects including playgrounds, aquatic facilities, sports courts, ballfields, recreational trails, picnic shelters, restrooms, observation docks, fishing access improvements, climbing structures, and other public outdoor recreation amenities. Land acquisition projects are also eligible if the acquired property will be developed for public outdoor recreation within three years. Facilities funded through the program must remain available for public outdoor recreation use in perpetuity under the federal conversion protection requirements. Projects must be located on land owned by the applicant or leased for at least 25 years. All funded facilities must comply with accessibility standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Architectural Barriers Act. Eligible applicants include villages, cities, counties, tribes, public power districts, natural resource districts, state agricultural societies, and other eligible political subdivisions in Nebraska excluding schools. Schools are specifically excluded from serving as the direct project sponsor due to federal perpetuity requirements and ongoing redistricting concerns, though school partnerships are permitted if a local government entity serves as the sponsor. Applicants must provide a minimum 50 percent nonfederal match and must demonstrate the availability of matching funds at the time of application. Match contributions may include cash, donations, grants, taxes, and approved in-kind contributions. The grant operates as a reimbursement program, meaning applicants must initially cover project costs and later request reimbursement for eligible expenses. Grant requests must be at least $75,000 with a minimum total project cost of $150,000, while the maximum grant request is $600,000 with a minimum total project cost of $1.2 million. The application process is conducted through the Nebraska Game and Parks online grant portal. For the 2026 cycle, applications open on August 3, 2026 and close on October 30, 2026 at noon Central Time. A required commitment letter deadline occurs on September 18, 2026. Applicants must complete multiple application sections covering project overview, SCORP alignment, budget and financial documentation, project site details, community involvement, environmental compliance, and project abstract information. Required attachments include a detailed budget, budget narrative, proof of financial match, audit, location and boundary map, deed or lease documentation, site plan, governing body resolution, Section 106 historic preservation review, and Environmental Review Report generated through the CERT environmental review system. Optional attachments may include letters of support, master plans, commitment letters, and in-kind documentation. Applications are evaluated using a 325-point scoring system. Major scoring categories include alignment with the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, project budget quality, project site characteristics, environmental and conservation features, public participation, accessibility, service to underserved populations, and overall application quality. Additional consideration is given to projects that increase permanently protected outdoor recreation space, include sustainable and resilient design elements, demonstrate strong public engagement, and serve multiple age groups or underserved communities. Review activities include preliminary eligibility review, pre-award site visits, environmental review, and final ranking by the LWCF Selection Committee before recommendation to the Nebraska Game and Parks Board of Commissioners. The anticipated timeline includes preliminary review and site visits during the fall following the application deadline, state recommendation during the winter, federal National Park Service review during the spring and summer, and execution of grant agreements during late summer or early fall of the following year. Projects generally receive an approximately three-year performance period after federal approval. Applicants are prohibited from beginning construction, ground disturbance, or land acquisition before receiving official federal approval and executed agreements. Procurement requirements mandate formal sealed bid procedures for projects exceeding aggregate thresholds, and all projects must comply with federal environmental review, historic preservation, and Buy America requirements. Questions regarding the program may be directed to Recreation Grants Administrator Shari Sorenson at shari.sorenson@nebraska.gov or 402-471-5283.

Align the project closely with SCORP goals and priority recreation facilities. Demonstrate strong public involvement early in project planning. Include clear accessibility and underserved population benefits. Provide detailed and realistic budgets with documented cost estimates. Ensure all environmental and historic preservation reviews are completed early to avoid delays.