NatureWorks Grant Program is a grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) that funds the acquisition, development, and rehabilitation of public park and recreation areas across Ohio. Financed through the Ohio Parks and Natural Resources Bond Issue approved by voters in 1993, the program has supported over 2,300 public park projects across all 88 counties.

Local government subdivisions — including townships, villages, cities, counties, park districts, and conservancy districts — are eligible; nonprofit agencies and local school boards are not. Awards reimburse up to 75% of approved project costs, with a maximum of $150,000 per county. Applicants must demonstrate proof of ownership or a 15-year irrevocable lease.

The application deadline is July 1, 2026.

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The NatureWorks grant program provides up to 75% reimbursement assistance for local government subdivisions (townships, villages, cities, counties, park districts, joint recreation districts, and conservancy districts) to for the acquisition, development, and rehabilitation of recreational areas. Since its inception, the NatureWorks grant has funded over 2300 public park projects in all 88 counties.

See 2025 NatureWorks Grant Recipient List (PDF) * All local subdivisions of government are eligible (local school boards are ineligible). * Local governments can apply for up to 75 percent reimbursement grants (state funding) for acquisition, development, or rehabilitation of public park and recreation areas.

* The agency must have proper control (title or at least a 15-year non-revocable lease) to be eligible for a development or rehabilitation grant. * Eligible government agencies within each county Application Due Date: **July 1, 2026** Maximum Project Award: **County allocation up to $150,000 max if available** Funding Source: **State Capital Budget** Authorization: Ohio Revised Code 1557.

06 **Total funding for the Natureworks grant program has not been determined for the FY2027 grant cycle. This page will be updated to reflect county allocations upon final appropriation by the Ohio General Assembly. ** #### Notice of NatureWorks Grant Funding This video will explain the purpose and filing process for the Notice of NatureWorks Grant Funding.

#### Completing the Performance and Billing Form This video will demonstrate how to complete the Performance and Billing Form which is the first step to claim reimbursement for a NatureWorks Grant. #### Submitting Expenditure Documentation This video will explain how to properly account for project expenditures when requesting reimbursement for a NatureWorks Grant. **When is the application due?

**The standard application deadline will be June 1st, annually. If June 1st falls on a weekend, the application deadline would be the following Monday. In some cases, appropriation of new funding is delayed which may impact the application deadline.

Documents will not be considered beyond this date other than resolutions of authorization, which can be submitted up to an additional 30-days after the application deadline. **How are awards determined? **Received applications are reviewed, scored and ranked.

The scoring criteria used is stated in the application. The highest-ranking application is awarded the full county allocation if requested. If the full county allocation is not requested and there are additional funds available in the county, the next highest scoring application is awarded remaining funds.

When only one application is received in a county, it is reviewed for eligibility and if eligible is awarded. **When will awards be announced? **Awards are typically announced no later than mid-November.

The Local Project Coordinator as specified in the application will receive a decision letter directly from ODNR. Following this notification, the ODNR website will be updated with a list of awardees and a press release will be issued. **Who can apply for NatureWorks grants?

**Per ORC 1557. 06 (B) NatureWorks grants are open to “local governmental entities” which are defined as “any county, municipal corporation, township, metropolitan or township park district, soil and water conservation district, conservancy district, or joint recreation district” (ORC 1557. 01).

Nonprofit agencies are not eligible to apply. **Can we apply for land we are about to acquire or have already acquired? **If there is a need to acquire land prior to receiving an award, you must request a Waiver of Retroactivity as specified beginning on page 3 of the application.

Land already acquired by the applicant agency would be ineligible for grant funding. **Can we apply for a development project on property we do not own? **You must establish proof of ownership of the property to be developed or have in place an irrevocable lease on the property for, at minimum, 15 years.

**Can we request the amount of funds we need? **Applications should request what is available or what is needed, whichever is less of the two. The last page of the application provides the amount of funds available in each county and no additional funds can be awarded.

For counties with allocations more than $150,000, the maximum request is $150,000. For counties with allocations less than $150,000, the maximum request is the county allocation amount. **If awarded, when will we receive the funds?

**The funding is on a reimbursement basis. Awarded applicants will receive a procedural guide which outlines how to track project expenditures, and the documentation required to request reimbursement. Awarded applicants will be reimbursed 75% of total approved expenditures up to the grant award amount.

**Can we use other grants as match? **It depends on the source of the funds. The NatureWorks program requires a 25% match of the project total.

The source for at least 20% must be local funds (non-state or non-federal funds). Appropriately documented donations and donated labor can count towards match. **Can we apply for multiple projects in multiple parks?

**Applications should propose land acquisition for one park or a project for one park. Awarded project sponsors will be required to record a Notice of Grant Funding with the county recorder’s office which sets forth the compliance period of 15 years during which the park must remain open for outdoor public recreation.

Applicants may submit more than one application, however, applications other than the priority application will receive a 25-point deduction in scoring. **Can we include equipment costs in our proposed budget? **The use of sponsor owned equipment can be included as a cost if appropriately documented using ODOT standard rates.

The program cannot fund the purchase of maintenance equipment such as mowers or power washers or moveable recreational equipment such as archery supplies, bases and nets. All funded recreational development must be permanent and affixed. **What is the responsibility of the “Local Project Coordinator”?

**The Local Project Coordinator as submitted on Form No. 1 of the NatureWorks application is the single point of contract with ODNR regarding the application. Assign this role to an individual who can receive and respond to email communication regarding the status of the application.

The Local Project Coordinator will be contacted with the award decision and if awarded, will be contracted to assist in the execution of the contract with exhibits. The Local Project Coordinator is responsible to provide progress reports and follow the guidelines in the provided Procedural Guide to request reimbursement. **What forms and attachments are important?

**All the required application questions, forms and requested attachments are important. Incomplete applications receive a scoring deduction. Submission of additional documents in direct support of narrative statements is encouraged.

When submitting lengthy supplemental reports, the location of relevant information/evidence must be clearly identified. Offering website addresses or links to audio-visual material is discouraged – we may not have the ability to access such information. **Should we include letters of recommendation?

**Up to three letters of recommendations from local community groups or organization will be accepted. Letters of recommendations from individuals within the applicant entity or its legislators are not considered. **Is an environmental study required with the application?

**Individual(s) with appropriate knowledge and experience must complete the Environmental Checklist and coordinate with the stated agencies regarding potential impacts. Documentation of such coordination should be included with the application. Applications which do not address evident environmental issues may receiving scoring deductions.

## Archive of Past Recipients NatureWorks Round 32 Grant Application [](https://ohiodnr. gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/buy-and-apply/apply-for-grants/grants/natureworks/! ut/p/z1/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfIjo8zi_SzdHQ0NvQ38DMxDHA0CDY0tXA0CTJ2CDU31w1EVWAQ5GxsEhhoGGPkahXoHBproRxGj3wAHcDQgpN-LkAKgD4yKfJ190_WjChJLMnQz89Ly9SMSCwpyKnXT8ot004sS80qK9SNgdF5iSWlRanl-UXYx0HFRqMZj8R5YAR73F-SGRlT5OFl6pisqAgAjix3i/)[](https://ohiodnr.

gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/buy-and-apply/apply-for-grants/grants/natureworks/! ut/p/z1/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfIjo8zi_SzdHQ0NvQ38DMxDHA0CDY0tXA0CTJ2CDU31w1EVWAQ5GxsEhhoGGPkahXoHBproRxGj3wAHcDQgpN-LkAKgD4yKfJ190_WjChJLMnQz89Ly9SMSCwpyKnXT8ot004sS80qK9SNgdF5iSWlRanl-UXYx0HFRqMZj8R5YAR73F-SGRlT5OFl6pisqAgAjix3i/)[](https://ohiodnr. gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/buy-and-apply/apply-for-grants/grants/natureworks/!

ut/p/z1/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfIjo8zi_SzdHQ0NvQ38DMxDHA0CDY0tXA0CTJ2CDU31w1EVWAQ5GxsEhhoGGPkahXoHBproRxGj3wAHcDQgpN-LkAKgD4yKfJ190_WjChJLMnQz89Ly9SMSCwpyKnXT8ot004sS80qK9SNgdF5iSWlRanl-UXYx0HFRqMZj8R5YAR73F-SGRlT5OFl6pisqAgAjix3i/) 2045 Morse Road, Bldg.

E-2 ### Guidance for Grant Recipients Steps to Complete a NatureWorks Grant Project - Checklist for recipients NatureWorks Procedural Guide (July 1, 2025) - In-depth instructions for recipients Administrative Leadership * Privacy Notice and Policies Search in our portal Submit your search Close