Community Conservation Cost-Share Program is sponsored by Missouri Department of Conservation. Supports sustainable development and natural resource conservation in municipal and developing areas, including community gardens.

The Department of Conservation offers communities and partners a number of grant and cost-share options to assist with everything from green development to wildlife habitat to enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities.

MDC Grant and Cost-Share Opportunities Community Conservation Cost-Share MDC’s Community Conservation Cost-Share Program promotes sustainable development practices and the establishment of natural resource conservation practices in municipal and developing areas. Eligibility is determined by the project planner and regional supervisor based on regional priorities.

Due to the limited dollars available, proposed projects may be reviewed as needed by the Regional Community Conservation Team based on regional priorities. Eligible property includes lands in public ownership or open to the public, such as, but not limited to, municipal and county parks and schools.

Private property that extends or connects to projects on public land providing stormwater conveyance, habitat connectivity, or other public benefits is eligible. Cost-share is authorized for activities such as native grass and pollinator plantings, forest and woodland management, invasive species control, and aquatic resource management.

In addition, other practices eligible for cost-share include urban green space planning, engineered drawings, and training of staff on conservation-related programs. Cost-share funds are available beginning in July. Due to limited funding, applications are funded on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information about the Community Conservation Cost-Share opportunities, please contact your regional office . Community Forestry Cost-Share Community Forestry Cost-Share is designed to assist Missouri communities with improving their community forest.

This cost-share program encourages communities to have a sustainable, balanced, and comprehensive community forestry program based on a current tree inventory and managed with the guidance of a community forestry professional. Lastly, Community Forestry Cost-Share is designed to promote community forest benefits through the proper management and care of trees.

Eligible applicants include (1) government entities (e.g., municipal and county parks departments, schools), or (2) non-profit corporations. Applications from schools and school districts must identify a full-time staff member as project manager. If the applicant is not the property owner, a letter of permission must accompany the application.

Cost-share opportunities available under the Community Forestry Cost-Share include municipal tree ordinance development, development of a written community tree management plan, or community readiness plan for addressing exotic insect disease outbreaks, community tree inventories, management of ash ( Fraxinus sp .)

trees, training of city employees and volunteers to improve community forestry, purchase of tree-care education materials, development and/or distribution of tree-care-related educational materials, removal of critical-risk trees, pruning, tree planting, and other opportunities to further community forestry. Cost-share opportunities are available beginning in July.

Due to limited funding, applications are funded on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information about the cost-share opportunities, please contact your regional office . Opportunity for communities to acquire and conserve forests that provide public access and recreational opportunities, protect water supplies and wildlife habitat, and serve as demonstration sites.

Get funding and technical assistance to convert golf course roughs to quality monarch butterfly habitat. Urban Waters Restoration Program Grants available for addressing water quality issues in priority watersheds, such as such as erosion from unstable streambanks and pollution from stormwater runoff. NACD Urban Agriculture Conservation Grant Aids communities in developing their technical capacity for agricultural conservation projects.