Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Program

Application Period: August 14 - October 31 (5:00PM Deadline)

Submit your LWCF Grant Application

Submittable Quick Start Guide

Overview: The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) provides funding for the acquisition and development of outdoor recreation spaces. Through LWCF grants, communities can protect public lands, create parks, and improve recreational facilities to expand access to outdoor recreation, preserve natural landscapes, and ensure that these resources are available for future generations. Under the provisions of this competitive grant program, boroughs, municipalities, and other local government and tribal entities must protect LWCF-assisted parklands or parks infrastructure in perpetuity.

Locally sponsored projects vary widely. Examples include: a skate park in Sitka; ball fields in Utqiagvik; connecting trails in Haines & Metlakatla; Anchorage's Campbell Creek Greenbelt & Chanshtnu Muldoon Townsquare Park; and a community garden in Bethel. Additionally, LWCF grants assist State-sponsored sites including Chugach State Park, Clam Gulch, Nancy Lake, Chena River, and Old Kasilof Landing.

Eligible Applicants: State, regional or local governments, and federally recognized tribal governments, with the legal authority to provide park and recreation services on public lands, are eligible to apply for LWCF assistance.

Funding Priorities: Please review the following documents: Public Land Managers & Tribal Survey Needs and Regional Needs: Prioritized.

Start Early: The application is extensive and requires a great deal of backup information and/or coordination with other agencies.

For example, at least 30 days prior to the due date:

• Post public notice of the potential project in your area & elicit/track/respond to public comments.
• Contact the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) in writing with information on your project and request a Section 106 determination as to any effects on cultural or historic properties.
• Contact various agencies (ADF&G, USFWS, EPA, DEC, etc.) to determine potential impacts to the environment and wildlife. Scroll down for additional information and guidance.

Click the following links to view examples & utilize resources:

Examples

Resources

Meeting Minutes
ORTAB meeting January 16, 2025
ORTAB meeting December 24, 2024

For more information, please feel free to contact us at DNR.LWCFGrants@alaska.gov or 907-269-8706.