Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Program
Application Period: August 1 - October 31, 2023 (12:00 Noon Deadline)
Overview: The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is a federal grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Interior, National Park Service (NPS). LWCF consists of two parts or sides: the federal and the state side. The latter, administered in partnership with individual states and U.S. territories, provides grants for projects featuring "close-to-home" outdoor recreational opportunities for the public. (Note: Under the provisions of this competitive grant program, boroughs, municipalities, and other local government entities must protect LWCF-assisted parklands or parks infrastructure in perpetuity.)
Alaska: The LWCF program has served as an essential catalyst in all 50 states in helping create a wide diversity of outdoor recreational resources. More than $40 million in LWCF grants has been invested in over 350 projects in Alaska since the inception of the LWCF program in 1965. Locally sponsored projects vary widely. Examples include: a skate park in Sitka; ball fields in Utqiagvik; connecting trails in Haines and Metlakatla; the Campbell Creek Greenbelt and Chanshtnu Muldoon Townsquare Park within the Municipality of Anchorage; and a community garden in Bethel. LWCF grants have also assisted State-sponsored sites such as Chugach State Park, Clam Gulch State Recreation Area (SRA), Nancy Lake (SRA), Chena River (SRA), and Old Kasilof Landing (SRA).
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: See attachments labeled "Regional Needs: Prioritized" and "Public, Land Managers & Tribal Survey Needs_Prioritized"
To see required forms, examples, and resources to use if applying for an LWCF grant, click the following links:
A&R Form for Applications
Grant Application
Pre-Award Inspection Report
Examples
APE Map: Example
Budget: Example & Blank
Project Abstracts: Example
Project Timeframe & Milestones: Example
Section 106 Request for Review: Example
LWCF Boundary Map: Example
Maps and Site Plans: Examples
Resolution: Example
Naming Conventions: Example
Resources
Categorical Exclusions from 2015 NEPA Handbook
Frequently Asked Questions
424a, 424c, and 424d
Evaluation Score Sheet with SCORP Goals
Open Project Selection Process (OPSP)
Public, Land Managers & Tribal Survey Needs_Prioritized
Regional Needs: Prioritized
SCORP 2023-2027 (Submitted to NPS January 2023)
For more information, contact the Grants Section manager at danette.berkovitz@alaska.gov or 907-269-8700.
