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The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State Program is a federal program administered in Wisconsin by the Department of Natural Resources that funds high-quality outdoor recreation opportunities in communities across the state. Grants cover up to 50% of eligible project costs and are awarded competitively once per year, with applications due by 11:59 p. m.
on May 1. Eligible applicants include towns, villages, cities, counties, tribal governments, and school districts. Funded project types include acquisition of recreation land with water frontage or nature-based trails, development of public picnic areas and basic outdoor recreation facilities, and renovation of existing facilities at risk of closure.
LWCF is a competitive program and typically receives more requests than available funds. The review and approval process, including National Park Service sign-off, typically takes 12–18 months.
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Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Program | | Wisconsin DNR Aid_Content Page_Land and Water Conservation Fund LWCF Program Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Program This is a federal program administered in all states that encourages the creation and interpretation of high-quality outdoor recreational opportunities.
Funds received by the DNR for this program are split between DNR projects and grants to local governments for outdoor recreation activities. Grants cover up to 50% of eligible project costs. Grant applications are due by 11:59 p.
m. on May 1 . Application Review Process Local sponsors work with a DNR Regional Project Manager to plan projects, follow program requirements and complete grant applications.
The following is an overview of the LWCF grant process. Potential applicants are highly encouraged to contact their Regional Project Manager for further details regarding the grant process and application guidance. Applications for LWCF grants are accepted once a year.
LWCF grants offer up to 50% cost share. LWCF is a competitive grant program that typically receives more grant requests than available grant funds. Regional Project Manager review and rank eligible projects relative to eligibility and priorities for the LWCF grant program outlined in the LWCF program guidance.
The scoring reflects provisions outlined in the LWCF Act and Ch. NR 50, Wis. Admin.
Code. Coordination among Regional Project Managers across the state ensures consistency and fairness in application scoring. Final scores are used to generate the list of proposed grant awards.
When approved by the department, Regional Project Manager send tentative award letters to applicants whose projects are selected for funding. Regional Project Manager then work with applicants on final project due diligence and assist with completion of the National Park Service (NPS) application package. Once approval is received from NPS, the DNR will execute grant agreements with project sponsors.
Sponsors can then move forward with their project. Projects that break ground before a contract has been signed will not be eligible for reimbursement Towns, villages, cities, counties, tribal governments and school districts are eligible to apply for grants for acquisition and/or development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities.
Land acquisition or development projects that will provide opportunities for public outdoor recreation. Property with frontage on rivers, streams, lakes, estuaries and reservoirs that will provide water-based outdoor recreation. Property that provides special recreation opportunities, such as floodplains, wetlands and areas adjacent to scenic highways.
Land or development within urban areas for day-use picnic areas. Land or development of nature-based outdoor recreation trails. Development of basic outdoor recreation facilities.
Renovation of existing outdoor recreation facilities that are in danger of being lost for public use. Ineligible project examples A project that is not supported by a local comprehensive outdoor recreational plan. Acquisition and development of golf courses.
A project where storm water management is the primary purpose. Land that will be used for non-outdoor public recreation purposes. Deadlines and funding cycles Applications must be received by your regional project manager or postmarked by 11:59 p.
m. on May 1 to be considered. Per s.
990. 001(4)(c), Wis. Stats.
, if any grant application deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or State Holiday, the deadline is moved to the next State working day. Applicants are advised that grant awards will be subject to the availability of funds and any procedural changes that may result from the forthcoming federal appropriations.
Final selected projects will be reviewed and approved by the National Park Service prior to the sponsor receiving an agreement with the DNR. This process typically takes between 12-18 months.
Calendar Year 2026 Grant Guidelines Land and Water Conservation Fund grant application Form 8700-191LWCF LUG application answer template Form 8700-338 Public access and acceptable uses application Form 8700-322 Cost estimate worksheet Form 8700-014 Environmental Hazards Assessmen Form 1800-001 Sample resolution for outdoor recreation aids Site development plan example Land Acquisition Information for DNR grant applicants Stewardship Local Assistance, Federal Land & Water Conservation Fund and Recreational Trails Program grant application Form 8700-191 Application answer template Form 8700-338 Additional information can be found on the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program webpage.
Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plans (CORP) Development Guidelines (CA-010) Accessibility Guidance for Grant Funded Projects (CF-031) Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR Part 200) Grant Payment Request & Worksheet (Form 8700-001) Grant Partner Cost Sharing or Matching Report (Form 9300-230) Please contact us if you have questions about the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and before you submit a grant application.
Contacts for general program information. Regional Project Managers For grant questions and pre-application discussions, see the regional contacts listed below to find your local project manager. Department of Natural Resources
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: See the Wisconsin grants portal for complete eligibility requirements. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Funding amounts vary based on project scope and sponsor guidance. Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
Yes — AI tools like Granted can help research funders, draft proposal sections, and check compliance. However, always review and customize AI-generated content to reflect your organization's unique strengths and the specific requirements of the solicitation.
Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.