Conservation Education Program (CEP) – REAP

Conservation Education Program (CEP) – REAP is sponsored by Iowa Department of Natural Resources (REAP). Competitive grants to support conservation education programs for Iowans.

REAP Funding Opportunities | Department of Natural Resources Official State of Iowa Website Department of Natural Resources Programs & Services sub-navigation Beginning Farming & Habitat Leases Business Regulatory Assistance Conservation Law Enforcement Help Us Stop Hunger (HUSH) Natural Resources License Plates Resource Enhancement & Protection (REAP) Section 401 Water Quality Certification Vehicle Registration & Bonding Wildlife Diversity Program Wildlife Landowner Assistance Places to Go sub-navigation Lakes, Ponds, and Reservoirs Wildlife Management Areas Things to Do sub-navigation Iowa’s Accessible Outdoors Paddling & River Recreation Create a Backyard Habitat Environmental Protection sub-navigation Animal Feeding Operations Environmental Field Offices Household Hazardous Materials Spills & Emergency Planning Environmental Field Offices Mission, Vision & Leadership Nondiscrimination, Accessibility & Language Access Solicitations & Contract Conditions Resource Enhancement & Protection (REAP) REAP Funding Opportunities City Parks and Open Space Private/Public Open Space Acquisition Conservation Education Program (CEP) Historical Resource Development Program Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) is a State of Iowa program that invests in, as its name implies, the enhancement and protection of the state's natural and cultural resources.

Iowa has a diverse array of natural and cultural resources, and REAP is likewise diverse and far reaching. REAP provides money for projects, primarily through grant programs. A summary of grant opportunities are listed below.

Please view the links for more information. City Parks and Open Space This money is available to cities through competitive grants. Parkland expansion and multi-purpose recreation developments are typical projects funded under this REAP program.

The DNR administers the city grant program. City Parks & Open Spaces Grant Resources (254. 2 KB) .

pdf REAP City grants are competitive funds, providing assistance for acquisition, conservation and recreational projects across the state. Map of Past City REAP Funded Projects This money is available to counties, only if they are dedicating at least 22¢ per $1,000 of the assessed value of taxable property in the county for county conservation purposes, through competitive grants.

This money is available to counties for land easements or acquisition, capital improvements, stabilization and protection of resources, and environmental education, etc. The DNR administers the county conservation grant program. County Conservation Grant Resources (254. 2 KB) .

pdf REAP Projects for Counties REAP County grants are competitive funds, providing assistance for acquisition, conservation and recreational projects across the state. Map of Past County REAP Funded Projects Private/Public Open Space Acquisition This money is available for cost-share land acquisitions with private organizations.

The cost-share arrangement entails 75% of the acquisition costs coming from REAP and the other 25% coming from private contributions. The DNR owns and manages the property that is jointly purchased. The DNR administers the private/public open space acquisition program.

Private/Public Open Space Acquisition Grant Resources (254. 2 KB) . pdf Conservation Education Program (CEP) This money is available to grantees for programs that teach people of all ages about their environment and how to make intelligent, informed decisions about its well-being.

$350,000 is available for this program. The DNR administers the conservation education program. Conservation Education Program Grant Resources (254.

2 KB) . pdf State Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Plan The 2023-2028 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (19. 07 MB) .

pdf titled Outdoor Recreation in Iowa, is now available and produced in an interactive StoryMap format. State Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Plan Historical Resource Development Program Grants are available to private individuals and businesses, as well as to non-profit organizations and agencies of Certified Local Governments.

Grants under this program support a wide variety of projects that fall under three basic categories: (1) historic preservation; (2) library and archives; and (3) museums. This program has proven to be very popular throughout Iowa and truly demonstrates the diversity of REAP. The State Historical Society administers this program.

This money is available for state, county, and city management of roadside vegetation. The establishment of attractive gateways into cities is also becoming a popular use for this money. Demonstration and research projects are typically funded under this program in an effort to learn and share news approaches to vegetation management.

The purchase of specialized equipment and seed to carry out management practices is also a part of this program. The Department of Transportation administers this program. These funds are available to landowners for soil and water conservation and enhancement projects and practices.

Project money is directed towards protecting the state's surface and ground water resources from point and non-point sources of contamination. Practices money is directed towards reforestation, woodland protection and enhancement, wildlife habitat preservation and enhancement, protection of highly erodible soils, and water quality protection.

The Division of Soil Conservation in the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship administers this program. Secondary Navigation Menu Resource Enhancement & Protection (REAP) REAP County Expenditures Data REAP Funding Opportunities Department of Natural Resources Iowa DNR Customer Service © 2026 State of Iowa - Read our accessibility, data, and privacy policies .