DCNR Circuit Rider Grant

The grant programs offered by the DCNR are designed to support partnership projects that are collaborative at various levels, including statewide or regional, focusing on recreation, conservation, or heritage projects. These projects aim to convene, educate, or train partners; build capacity; undertake special purpose studies or implementation projects; or offer mini-grants to grassroots partner organizations. Specifically, the grants aim to:

• Enhance local, county, regional, and statewide capacity for the development and management of natural, recreational, or heritage resources through plan implementation.
• Support local capacity building projects, assisting municipalities, multi-municipal entities, and counties in developing, managing, and promoting recreation and park facilities as well as conserving natural resources. Primarily targeting counties and municipalities.
• Fund the Circuit Rider program, which focuses on increasing local capacity for recreation, parks, and conservation by funding the hiring of full-time park, recreation, or conservation professionals whose services are shared among members of a formal partnership, commission, or authority. Projects under this program include hiring professionals to expand recreational program offerings or assist in implementing greenways and open space network plans. The duration of funding is a four-year commitment, with a matching requirement that varies based on the year of funding.