Land and Water Conservation Fund is sponsored by Nebraska Game & Parks Commission. Provides funding for community outdoor recreation projects across Nebraska.

Land and Water Conservation Fund - Nebraska Game & Parks Commission Home About Community Resources Grants Land and Water Conservation Fund Land and Water Conservation Fund This grant program provides funding for community outdoor recreation projects across Nebraska.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is a federal program that supports outdoor recreation in Nebraska by providing funding to eligible state and local government entities for acquiring, developing, and renovating parks, recreation areas and public lands. The LWCF grant helps fund urban projects such as playgrounds, sports fields and aquatic centers.

It also supports activities like hiking, camping, fishing and wildlife viewing, and ensures the ongoing preservation of green spaces for activities such as birdwatching, trail running and outdoor play. By improving recreational access and equity, the LWCF enhances outdoor opportunities for all Nebraskans, enriching the state’s recreational and environmental experiences.

2026 grant applications for the Land and Water Conservation Fund will open on Monday, Aug. 3 at 9 a. m.

CT and close on Friday, Oct. 30 at noon CT . A commitment letter will be required by 5 p.

m. CT on Friday, Sept. 18.

Interested applicants can view the Grant Application Portal .

natural resource districts political subdivisions, except for schools counties and state agricultural societies Examples of eligible projects: tennis courts/multi-purpose courts restrooms (and other types of support amenities) fishing and observation docks ziplines and climbing walls Grant minimum: $75,000 (with a project cost of $150,000 minimum) Grant maximum: $600,000 (with a project cost of $1.

2 million minimum) Reimbursable expenses are limited to the period of performance, approximately a three-year period after award, with the exception of architectural or engineering fees. Design and cost estimation fees that occur three years prior to award can be reimbursed as a pre-award cost if included in the detailed project budget and noted as such in the application.

Land acquisition eligibility: Acquisition of land for outdoor recreation is eligible for fund assistance and is required to be developed within three years. Land can also be donated for development. Please seek guidance from the Game and Parks LWCF team on the land acquisition process.

The governing board of a political subdivision will be required to pass a resolution at a public meeting in addition to completing the application and supplemental documents. The application guide provides Game and Parks LWCF team contact information and covers general program information, project sponsor responsibilities, application questions, scoring information, and necessary attachments in one document.

The Game and Parks LWCF team would be happy to assist with any application or program requirement questions and discuss details about your project.

Additional application resources Environmental Review Report Guide View legislative districts map View House of Representatives Congressional Map View Commissioner District Info Limitations & program provisions Fund assistance is restricted to public outdoor recreation facilities located on land owned or leased for 25 or more years by the project sponsor.

All project elements must meet applicable building codes and a project sponsor should engage, if needed, professional assistance during the application stage to ensure codes are met and cost estimates are valid. Eligible project costs must be incurred during the period of performance which is determined following project approval from the National Park Service (approximately 9-12 months after the application window closes).

(Please note the exception for pre-award costs as noted under funding parameters). The award is a reimbursable grant; therefore, project sponsors are expected to cover all costs until the project is closed. The project sponsor’s minimum 50% cost share may derive from cash, private donations, taxes, grants, bequests or from other political subdivisions.

Often federal dollars cannot be used as match on LWCF projects. Section 6(f)(3) of the Act requires that all grant-assisted property be used and retained for public outdoor recreation uses in perpetuity. The project sponsor will be required to complete a conversion for any grant-assisted encumbered property that is no longer in outdoor recreation and/or open to the public.

The conversion will occur at the project sponsor’s expense. All project sponsors must display a permanent recognition sign on the project site. Acknowledgement signs are available from Game and Parks LWCF team upon request.

The governing body of a political subdivision must assure the state and federal governments that it will commit both the financial resources to complete the project and operate and maintain the funded site in a setting that is both attractive and safe for public use. The project sponsor will assure that all programs and facilities, where it is possible, are accessible to, and usable by, the disabled.

The sponsor is also expected to keep facilities open for public use at reasonable times of the year. Land and Water through Nebraska Game and Parks has given fund assistance on locally sponsored outdoor recreation projects in 89 of Nebraska’s 93 counties. The Nebraska Unicameral, per statutes 37-904, 37-905 and 37-906, assented to the provisions of the LWCF Act to assist the state and political subdivisions.

The statutes also designate the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and staff to perform all such acts on behalf of the State of Nebraska to carry out the purpose and objectives of the Act. The law also stipulates that 60% of Nebraska’s apportionment be made available to political subdivisions, while the Commission is authorized to use the remaining 40% on agency-sponsored projects.

The Commission meets annually to consider staff recommendations for allocating the federal funds to various projects across the state. LWCF & RTP grants webinar Interested in applying for a Recreational Trails Program or Land and Water Conservation Fund grants? Learn more about RTP and LWCF grants and get helpful tips and instructions about the grant application process by watching our webinar.

Game and Parks is unveiling a new grant management portal for the Recreational Trails Program and Land and Water Conservation Fund grants. Watch our webinar to follow along as we navigate the registration and application process in this new, intuitive system. Watch the grant portal webinar Looking for some guidance on submitting a budget for a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant in Nebraska?

Watch this webinar for some tips and insights. Download budget form and example sheet Use the following resources when planning for outdoor recreation or when preparing your application. State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan The 2026-2030 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan is a resource for Nebraska communities and recreation professionals planning for outdoor recreation.

SCORP evaluates the supply and demand for outdoor recreation opportunities and summarizes state and regional demographics. It also provides guidance on future development of park lands through the goals and Land and Water Conservation fund priority projects.

Communities and outdoor recreation professionals are encouraged to use the data and guidance within the plan to guide their outdoor recreation planning efforts over the next five years. If you would like to receive via email the monthly LWCF Newsletter that covers announcements as well as deep dives into various topics, please email [email protected] .

LWCF selection committee identified the following projects which received approval from the Board of Commissioners to proceed with the next step of awarding from the National Park Service. The City of Auburn will receive $600,000 for Legion Memorial Park improvements.

The grant will assist with swimming pool and bathhouse refurbishments including a new zero entry toddler pool, and renovations to the sports courts facility with resurfacing and new lighting. The total project cost is estimated to be $1,724,000. The City of Beatrice will receive $265,665 for the acquisition of land and expansion of the pickleball courts at Chautauqua Park.

The total project cost is estimated to be $513,330. The City of Curtis will receive $600,000 for a new swimming pool and bathhouse. New features will be a zero entry pool, a flume slide and modern shade structures.

The total project cost is estimated to be $4,101,800. The City of LaVista will receive $340,410 for the renovation of two neighborhood parks, Ardmore and Camenzind. Both parks will receive new playgrounds and picnic shelters, and Camenzind will receive new sidewalks.

The total project cost is estimated to be $680,820. The City of Neligh will receive $210,000 for development of Russell Park and a playground expansion and court refurbishment at Riverside Park. Russell Park development will include a disc golf course (extension from Riverside) and a dog park.

The total project cost is estimated to be $420,000. The Village of Spalding will receive $542,255 for a pool refurbishment. This will include new liner and filtration system for the main pool, shade structures, a new kiddie pool with splash pad features, and a new bathhouse.

The total project cost is estimated to be $1,084,510. The Village of Stamford will receive $96,666 for refurbishment of City Park. This will include new playground equipment, picnic tables, seating and landscaping throughout the park.

The total project cost is estimated to be $241,665 If you have questions or comments about LWCF projects, please contact our Recreation Grants Administrator, Shari Sorenson. Recreational Trails Program The Recreational Trails Program fund is specifically for land acquisition for trail development. Discover resources that will help you make your community or land management visions a reality.

This guide takes you through a step-by-step process on how to create a natural playscape.