Pennsylvania Natural Resources Grants

This grant provides funding to Great Lakes states and tribes for projects that prevent and control aquatic invasive species, benefiting the Great Lakes ecosystem.

The York County Community Foundation is offering a three-year grant of $100,000 to $500,000 for municipalities, county agencies, school districts, and non-profit organizations in York County, Pennsylvania, to preserve and protect open spaces, natural habitats, and waterways through land acquisition, planning studies, and ordinance assistance, with a focus on public access, recreational opportunities, and natural resource protection.

This grant provides funding to local governments and non-profit organizations for projects that improve the environment, culture, or community along the Lower Delaware River corridor.

The All-Terrain Vehicle and Snowmobile grant supports projects focused on the planning, acquisition of land, development, rehabilitation, maintenance, purchase of equipment for maintenance and construction, and the development of educational programs related to ATV and/or snowmobile trails and facilities. Only projects specifically related to ATV or snowmobile endeavors are eligible for submission under this category. The grant is funded by the ATV Management Restricted Account and the Snowmobile Management Restricted Account as authorized by Act 97 of 2016. Although there is no mandatory match requirement for this funding opportunity, applications that include match funding will receive additional consideration. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual Fall opening/ closing deadlines: opens first business day in August and closes the last business day in September

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Great Lakes states and tribes for collaborative projects aimed at preventing and managing aquatic invasive species across state and tribal boundaries.

The Vision Partnership Program (VPP) – Cash Grant is offered by Chester County to its municipalities and multi-municipal groups. Established in 1996, and revised in 2010 and 2019 to align with Landscapes and then Landscapes2 and Landscapes3, the program aims to improve planning efforts at the local level. This grant program is deeply aligned with Chester County's comprehensive plan, Landscapes3, by promoting consistency and implementation of its goals, objectives, recommendations, and map. The core mission of the VPP is to foster cooperation between local governments and the County to achieve impactful, lasting, and positive benefits through innovative municipal and multi-municipal planning. The VPP targets all Chester County municipalities that have endorsed or acknowledged Landscapes3, including single municipalities or multi-municipal groups. The program aims to achieve a variety of impact goals, such as advancing consistency with the county comprehensive plan, accomplishing positive benefits for municipalities through innovative planning, and addressing community concerns through new and revised municipal plans, ordinances, and planning studies. The program prioritizes projects enabled by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), Act 247, and also includes "Planning Studies" for projects not adopted under the MPC. The VPP focuses on a broad range of eligible projects. These include comprehensive plans, open space, park, and recreation plans, zoning and subdivision ordinances and amendments (covering topics like agriculture, historic resources, natural resources, housing, and traditional neighborhood development), official maps and ordinances, urban center revitalization plans, resource protection/stewardship plans, environmental and community sustainability/resilience plans, community design guides, village master plans, heritage interpretation plans, historic resource surveys, housing plans/studies, economic development studies, transportation corridor plans/studies, streetscape master plans, multimodal plans/studies, trail feasibility studies, and plans/ordinances that support the transition to renewable or alternative energy, as well as agricultural economic development plans. Expected outcomes of the VPP include the successful adoption of plans or ordinances, for which grants of $50,000 are provided, with an additional $10,000 for each additional municipality involved. For planning studies, the expected outcome is acceptance, with grants of $30,000 plus $5,000 for each additional municipality. The strategic priorities of Chester County, as evidenced by the VPP, are to support local governments in developing robust planning programs that align with the county's comprehensive vision, ultimately leading to well-planned, sustainable communities. The theory of change is that by providing financial incentives and guidance, municipalities will be empowered to implement the principles of Landscapes3, resulting in tangible community improvements and a coordinated approach to regional development.

This grant provides funding to government agencies and nonprofit organizations to improve aquatic habitats and recreational access in the Tulpehocken and Quittapahilla Creek watersheds in Pennsylvania.

This grant provides funding to Great Lakes states to implement their plans for managing and preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species, benefiting both the states and the Great Lakes ecosystem.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to various organizations in Pennsylvania for projects aimed at reducing nonpoint source pollution and improving water quality in impaired watersheds.

This funding opportunity supports organizations working to restore and sustain forests and freshwater habitats in Central Appalachia, benefiting native wildlife and engaging local communities in conservation efforts.

This program provides financial assistance to municipalities, nonprofits, and conservation organizations in Pennsylvania for improving public access to fishing and boating facilities across the state.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments and nonprofit organizations in Maryland, West Virginia, and select areas of Pennsylvania for early-stage projects focused on watershed restoration and planning to improve water quality and promote environmental sustainability.

This funding opportunity supports projects that enhance fish and wildlife habitats, improve water quality, and promote outdoor recreation within the Delaware River watershed, targeting nonprofits, educational institutions, government agencies, and Tribal organizations.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Chester County, Pennsylvania, to acquire land or conservation easements that promote public benefits like natural area preservation, farmland conservation, and recreational access.

This program provides funding to municipalities and nonprofit organizations in southeastern Pennsylvania to enhance and protect open spaces, improve public access to nature, and support environmental quality initiatives.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in developing community-driven climate resilience plans for vulnerable neighborhoods in the Greater Philadelphia region, focusing on adaptation and recovery strategies against climate impacts like extreme heat and flooding.

This grant provides funding to local governments and nonprofit organizations in six Pennsylvania counties to develop and enhance greenways, trails, and active transportation networks.

This program provides competitive funding to Pennsylvania municipalities, nonprofits, and other eligible organizations for projects that prevent and mitigate flooding, helping to protect property and infrastructure across the state.

This funding opportunity supports community groups and organizations in Western Pennsylvania to develop and improve safe and accessible canoe and kayak access sites on local rivers and streams.

This grant provides funding for projects that improve and protect Pennsylvania's water resources, focusing on watershed restoration, stormwater management, and addressing abandoned mine drainage, particularly in underserved communities.