The mission of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is to conserve and sustain Pennsylvania’s natural resources for present and future generations’ use and enjoyment. As Pennsylvania’s leader and chief advocate for conservation and outdoor recreation, DCNR aims to inspire citizens to value their natural resources, engage in conservation practices, and experience the outdoors.
The grant programs offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) focus on advancing statewide or regional recreation, conservation, or heritage projects through partnership projects and local capacity building. Partnership 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, thereby enhancing local, county, regional, and statewide ability to develop and manage natural, recreational, or heritage resources. Specifically, the Local Capacity Building Projects support municipalities, counties, and other eligible applicants in developing and managing recreation, park facilities, and conserving natural resources. The Peer Grant Program aims at increasing local capacity for recreation, parks, and conservation by funding projects focused on specific needs such as forming new intergovernmental recreation and park agencies, improving management of facilities, conducting reviews for green principles, and offering board training and development.