Wild Resource Conservation Program

The Wild Resource Conservation Program is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources through the Wild Resource Conservation Board to support the conservation, restoration, management, and study of Pennsylvania’s native flora, non-game wildlife, fungi, terrestrial invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and associated habitats. The program was established under the Wild Resources Conservation Act of 1982 to provide a mechanism for citizens to support biodiversity conservation in the Commonwealth through voluntary tax check-offs, specialty license plates, permits, merchandise sales, and related conservation contributions. The program does not receive direct funding from the Pennsylvania state budget and instead relies on the Wild Resource Conservation Fund and portions of the Environmental Stewardship Fund to support grants and conservation initiatives. The program mission is to maintain, manage, enhance, and restore Pennsylvania’s native non-game wildlife and native wild plants and their habitats in partnership with agencies, organizations, researchers, conservationists, and concerned citizens. For the 2026 grant round, the program is accepting applications from May 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026 for projects occurring during Fiscal Year 2026-2027. Eligible applicants include counties, municipalities, municipal agencies, educational institutions, and tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations registered with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Charitable Organizations. The program specifically encourages projects aligned with agency conservation priorities developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pennsylvania Game Commission, and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Priority topics include surveys and habitat research for species of greatest conservation need, conservation genetics studies, restoration and recovery planning, amphibian and aquatic invertebrate studies, fungal inventory work, terrestrial invertebrate assessments, and conservation projects involving threatened and endangered species. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the designated agency coordinators before preparing an application in order to improve project competitiveness and alignment with agency priorities. Funding under the program supports survey work, scientific inventories, conservation research, habitat management studies, ecological restoration approaches, propagation methods, taxonomy and genetic analysis, conservation assessments, and related biodiversity protection activities. Projects may include field surveys, museum and herbarium research, DNA barcoding, ecological monitoring, species recovery planning, and technical studies designed to improve conservation outcomes. Outreach and communication projects may also be considered if they directly support agency priorities. Ineligible projects include infrastructure development, recreational facility construction, projects focused on game or agricultural species, and activities unrelated to the conservation of native non-game wildlife, native flora, fungi, or orphan taxa. The program states that funded projects are generally science-driven and should produce measurable conservation benefits, useful data, and statewide applicability whenever possible. The grant program requires a 25 percent match contribution, meaning WRCP funds may cover no more than 75 percent of total project costs. Both cash and non-cash match contributions are allowable. Cash match must come from non-WRCP and non-Environmental Stewardship Fund sources, while non-cash match may include volunteer labor or donated professional services documented through timesheets and valuation methods. The average grant award is approximately $30,000, although no fixed minimum or maximum award amount is specified. Grant agreements generally cover a three-year project period, extended from prior 18-month agreements, and no-cost extensions may be requested up to a maximum total project duration of five years. Eligible costs include salaries, fringe benefits, travel, lodging, materials and supplies, equipment dedicated to the project, curatorial fees, and subcontract expenses directly tied to project implementation. Administrative expenses are capped at 2 percent of total project costs under the Environmental Stewardship and Watershed Protection Act. Applications must be submitted electronically through the DCNR Grants online portal no later than 4:00 PM Eastern Time on June 30, 2026. Applicants must obtain a Commonwealth SAP vendor number before applying, which may require up to two weeks for processing. The application process includes preparation of a project narrative, detailed scope of work, budget documentation, evidence of matching funds, eligibility documentation, and a completed resolution page identifying the authorized signatory for grant agreements. Applicants should also review sample grant agreement terms because funded applicants will later execute agreements through the Commonwealth Legal Contracts Portal. The Ready-To-Go checklist included in the grant manual emphasizes the importance of eligibility verification, agency advisor consultation, complete budget details, and readiness to proceed if selected for funding. Applicants are additionally responsible for obtaining all required permits, Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory reviews, research approvals, and collection permits prior to execution of a final agreement. Applications are evaluated by agency staff and external technical reviewers using criteria that include conservation importance, technical quality, statewide significance, innovation, feasibility, organizational qualifications, cost effectiveness, and matching contributions. The Wild Resource Conservation Board makes funding recommendations during its annual fall meeting, and final selection decisions are made shortly thereafter by the Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Funded applicants must provide annual progress reports, final reports, and public-facing presentations summarizing project findings. Research involving rare or endangered species must follow approved data submission protocols, and biological specimens collected through funded projects must be deposited in recognized curatorial institutions capable of maintaining long-term scientific collections. Questions regarding the application process may be directed to WRCP Director Rebecca Bowen at rebbowen@pa.gov or WRCP Program Assistant Ryan Bortnyk at rbortnyk@pa.gov. General technical support for the grants portal is available through the Grants Customer Service Center at 1-800-326-7734.

Contact the appropriate agency coordinator before submission to improve competitiveness and alignment with agency priorities. Applications that clearly demonstrate measurable conservation benefits, technical soundness, statewide significance, innovation, and cost effectiveness are more competitive. Ensure all permits, PNDI reviews, and matching funds are secured before submission.