Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program
During the 2018 legislative session, the Georgia General Assembly passed House Bill 332 and House Resolution 238, establishing the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act. On November 6, 2018 Georgia voters passed the amendment with 83% support. This newly founded grant program will provide a dedicated funding mechanism to support parks and trails and protect and acquire lands critical to wildlife, clean water and outdoor recreation across the state of Georgia.
The GOSP Funding Cycle Dates:
- August 1, 2025 - Pre-application period opens
- October 17, 2025 - Pre-application period closes, Pre-applications due
- Spring 2026 - Applicants will be notified, Second-level Application window opens
- May 29, 2026 - Second-level Application period closes
- Summer 2026 - Final Approval of Project Agreements
Land & Water Conservation Fund
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Program is a federal program authorized by Congress for the purpose of acquiring federal lands and assisting states and local governments with funds to acquire lands and develop and renovate outdoor recreation facilities. LWCF funds are appropriated by Congress to the U. S. Department of the Interior, National Parks Service (NPS), and NPS allocates the funds through state agencies as a grant program to state and local governments. Grantees must match the grant award dollar for dollar.
The LWCF Funding Cycle Dates:
- September 1, 2024 - Funding cycle opens
- October 31, 2024 - Funding cycle closes, pre-applications due
- February 2025 - Selected applications announced
- May 2025 - Second level applications due
- Fall 2025 (anticipated) - Projects approved by NPS
Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program
On December 12, 2024, the National Park Service (NPS) released revised guidelines for the nation-wide grant program called the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program. The purpose of the ORLP Program is to provide new or significantly improved recreation opportunities in urban, disadvantaged communities lacking access to walkable outdoor recreation consistent with the purposes and requirements of the LWCF Act and LWCF Manual.
Recreation Trails Program
The Recreational Trails Program is a federal grant program funded by the Federal Highway Administration and administered at the state level by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The purpose of RTP is to support recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both nonmotorized and motorized recreational trail uses. Eligible applicants include qualified local governments, authorized commissions, and state and federal agencies.
RTP Funding Cycle Dates:
- September 1, 2025 - Pre-application period opens
- November 1, 2025 - Pre-application period closes, Pre-applications due
- March 2026 - Applicants will be notified, Second-level Application window opens
- May 2026 - Second-level Application period closes
- Winter 2026 - Final Approval of projects anticipated
2024-2025 Grants Unit Educational Workshops
DNR Grants Staff will conduct one in-person, and one webinar-based educational workshop about the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program, and Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant program. The two sessions will cover the same material and will be at no cost to the public, but we ask that you register at the following links:
In-Person: Tuesday, June 3, 2025 9:00am-12:30pm
Indian Springs State Park, Idlewilde Center - 678 Lake Clark Rd. Flovilla, GA 30216
Register for In-Person Workshop
Webinar: Thursday, June 5, 2025 9:00am-12:30pm
Register for Online Webinar- GOSP and RTP Nonmotorized Trail Grants
Webinar: Thursday, June 17, 2025 9:00am-10:30am
Register for Online Webinar- RTP Motorized Trail Grants
If you have any questions or need additional information concerning the workshops, please reference the attached announcement or contact:
GOSP - Soheila Naji at 404-463-8570 or soheila.naji@dnr.ga.gov
LWCF - Rayne Gaston at 404-590-7958 or rayne.gaston1@dnr.ga.gov
ORLP - Rayne Gaston at 404-590-7958 or rayne.gaston1@dnr.ga.gov
RTP - Stacy Garnier at 404-463-1030 or stacy.garnier@dnr.ga.gov