Land and Water Conservation Fund Grants is sponsored by Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. This program offers matching grants to state and local units of government for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities, including projects that protect the natural beauty of the state.

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Chickadee Checkoff Grants KDWP administers this donor‑supported program to fund projects that improve wildlife diversity and non‑game habitat across Kansas. Land & Water Conservation Fund Grants KDWP administers these federal funds to bring meaningful outdoor recreation improvements to communities across Kansas, supporting projects such as parks, trails, and public access facilities.

Recreational Trails Grants KDWP administers these federal funds to help communities build, maintain, and upgrade diverse recreational trails statewide. Jump to details about a specific grant program, or keep scrolling to explore all three.

Chickadee Checkoff Small Grants Program This program provides funding for habitat related work, researchers, educators, and naturalists to carry out projects focused on wildlife diversity and native non-game wildlife species. Through the generosity of Kansans who donate to the Chickadee Checkoff Program hundreds of projects over the past 40 years have been funded.

These projects directly relate and benefit wildlife diversity and non-game habitat improvement in Kansas. These efforts range from the very short and simple projects of the $500 level to much more substantial projects leveraging funds to match federal grants totaling in the several hundred thousand dollar range. Most of these larger projects and the most current efforts utilize the checkoff funds for matching federal grants such as Sec.

6 portion of the Endangered Species Act and the State Wildlife Grants program. In recent years, the KDWP has used a portion of these funds to solicit project proposals through the Chickadee Checkoff Small Grants Programs.

This program provides funding for habitat related work, researchers, educators, and naturalists to carry out projects focused on wildlife diversity and native non-game wildlife species related to the Kansas Statewide Wildlife Action Plan . 2025 Chickadee Checkoff Small Grant Funding Applications are now being accepted. Applications must be submitted by close of business on March 21, 2025.

Review the guidance document below for more information on program requirements and how to apply. 2025 Chickadee Checkoff Small Grants Program Budget Template 2025 Chickadee Checkoff Small Grants Program Guidance Learn more about Chickadee Checkoff Land and Water Conservation Fund Grants In Kansas, the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is administered by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.

The program offers matching grants to state and local units of government for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. From new playgrounds and restrooms to expanded trail systems and community parks, LWCF projects help build vibrant, healthy communities and protect the natural beauty of our state for future generations.

The 2026 application cycle is now open, and applications are due by 5:00pm July 31, 2026. The LWCF application and the Open Project Selection Process have been updated, and applicants are strongly encouraged to review all materials carefully before applying.

Download the LWCF Application Packet LWCF Grant Reference Materials: Open Project Selection Process of Kansas Local Funding Source Statement Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan of Kansas The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is a landmark federal program dedicated to preserving and enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities across the United States.

Established by Congress in 1964, LWCF has provided critical funding—totaling billions of dollars nationwide—to protect natural areas, develop public outdoor recreation facilities, and ensure all Americans have access to parks, trails, and green spaces. The LWCF program is funded primarily through revenues from offshore oil and gas leasing—not taxpayer dollars—and supports projects in every state and nearly every county in the nation.

In 2020, the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act marked a historic moment for conservation and recreation in the United States. This bill permanently funded the LWCF at $900 million annually, ensuring a stable and long-term investment in America’s public lands and local recreation resources.

Past LWCF Grant Recipients City of Arkansas City: Wilson Park Pickleball Courts City of Coffeyville: Hillcrest Golf Course Driving Range Upgrades City of Goddard: North Park DevelopmentCity of Kingman: Walker Park Development City of Pratt: The Point Visitor and Outdoor Recreation Center City of Roeland Park: Nall Park Revitalization Shawnee County: Lake Shawnee Campground Cabins Sublette Recreation Commission: Recreation Commission Splash Pad Unified Government of Wyandotte County, KCK: Parkwood Pool Revitalization City of Garden Plain: City Pool Development City of Gardner: Veterans Memorial Park Accessible Restroom USD 102, Cimarron: Elementary School Playground Revitalization USD 246, Arma: Northeast School Park Renovation City of Atchison: Guerrier Hill Scenic Overlook City of Derby: Library Outdoor Playspace City of Liberal: Bluebonnet Park Playground City of Liberal: Mahuron Park Playground City of Ottawa: Golf Course Acquisition City of Pittsburg: Four Oaks Miniature Golf Course Wilson State Park: Campground Upgrades and Hell Creek Cabins For more information about LWCF in Kansas, contact: Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Recreational Trails Grants The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is not currently accepting applications for Recreational Trails Funding.

The deadline for 2025 applications was November 14, 2025. The program provides 80 percent reimbursement to selected outdoor recreation projects. Projects that provide for motorized recreation activities are encouraged, as 30% of the funding is to be devoted to motorized projects.

Qualifying projects include new trail or trailhead construction, maintenance or reconstruction of existing trails, enhancements or upgrades to existing trails/trailheads, development and planning, or land acquisition and easements. Your application must include the completed forms available for download below and a detailed cost breakdown along with a detailed site plan.

This program is very similar to the Land and Water Conservation Program. Many of the same guidelines, forms and documentation will be utilized. Generally, overhead or administrative costs will not be funded from this program, but a portion of these costs may be used as part of the local match.

The objective of the program is to get trails and trail facilities on the ground and not to fund administration. The local match must be detailed on the application form and may not be from any other Federal source. All projects selected must fall into one or more of three categories: motorized, non-motorized, or diversified recreational trail or trail-related projects.

Proposals that provide for improved ADA and environmental impacts will receive a high priority.

For more information about Recreational Trail Grants, contact Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Past Recreational Trail Grant Recipients 2023 Recreational Trail Grant Recipients City of Anthony: Anthony Lake Trail City of Basehor: Basehor City Park Trail Improvement Project Fort Scott: Riverfront Trail Expansion Hillsdale State Park: Multi-Use Trails Renovation Kanrocks Recreation Association, Inc.: Land Purchase and New Trail Development Kaw River State Park: Trail Enhancements Madison Place: Walking Trail Rehabilitation Manhattan: Warner Memorial Park Trailhead and Loop Marshall Co.

: Lake Idlewild Trail and Nature Center Meade State Park: Artesian Springs Trail Expansion Project Montezuma: Montezuma Fitness Trail - South Loop NCK Outdoors: Destination Beloit - Chautauqua Park Osawatomie: Marais des Cygnes Pump Track Osawatomie: MTB Course at Osawatomie State Hospital Prairie Center State Park: Prairie Center Trailhead Restroom Rossville: Rossville Community Trail Shawnee Co.

: Levee Trail Resurfacing Project Stanton Co & Johnson City: Stanton Co.

Trail Uniontown: Uniontown Trail Renovation 2022 Recreational Trail Grant Recipients Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad: Iron Horse Trail Phase 3 Central Kansas Conservancy: Meadowlark Trail: McPherson to Lindsborg Completion City of Andover: Add to 2020 Grant: Need Additional Funding City of Benton: Benton Poling Pond Trail City of Manhattan P&R: Linear Park Trail Maintenance and Restoration City of Manhattan P&R: Linear Trail Trailhead Improvements City of Derby P&R: Community Memorial Walkway City of Marion: Marion Hike and Bike City of Pratt: Land Acquisition for Rail Trail Clinton State Park: Interpretive Trail Friends of the Kaw: Informational Kiosks and Life Jacket Stations The Friends of the Trails: Upgrade of Melvern Riverfront Park and Trails Historic Lake Scott State Park: Lake Scott Lakeside Trailhead Restroom Kanrocks Recreation Association, Inc: Land Acquisitio Rossville Community Foundation: Rossville Community Trail 2021 Recreational Trail Grant Recipients Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad: Iron Horse Trail Phase 3 B-29 Museum Inc. - Pratt: Pratt Army Air Field Historical Connecting Walk Cherokee Co.

K-State Research & Extension: Increasing Access to Physical Activity in Cherokee Co.

City of Hutchinson: GVI Trail Extension Plum to Monroe - Phase 1 City of Augusta: Trailhead Construction and Parking Expansion/Signage City of Iola: Mo-Pac Extension City of Montezuma: Montezuma Fitness Trail City of Winfield: Walnut Valley Trails Project Emporia State University: Campus Prairie Trail Kanrocks Recreation Association, Inc.: Park Developments and Additions Helpful Links for Recreational Trails Program Applicants and Awardees Recreational Trail Grant Resources The grantee bears sole responsibility for being aware of and following all other laws pertaining to the completion of the Recreational Trails project.

Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program guidance and information 2 CFR 200 Implementation Guidance 2 CFR Part 200 – Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards Federal Highway Administration Form 1273 – Required Contract Provisions for Federal-Aid Construction Contracts Buy America Act – Applies to RTP projects Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 Outdoor Developed Areas Accessibility Standards (Access Board) Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 Executive Order 12432 – "Minority Business Enterprise Development" Davis-Bacon Act – U.S. Department of Labor Clean Air Act of 1970 – Requirements and History (EPA) Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 Title VI and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Federal Lobbying Regulations – Section 1352, Title 31, U.S. Code State of Kansas Contractual Provisions Attachment (DA-146a) Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program The 2025 ORLP Notice of Funding Opportunity was paused.

The NPS is not accepting applications at this time.