Grants

The overall goal of the Watershed Restoration and Protection Program (WRPP) is to restore, and maintain restored stream reaches impaired by the uncontrolled discharge of nonpoint source polluted runoff, and ultimately to remove these streams from the Department of Environmental Protection’s Impaired Waters list. Projects which involve the construction, improvement, expansion, repair, maintenance or rehabilitation of new or existing watershed protection Best Management Practices (BMPs).

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing up to $17 million for conservation partners to help protect and restore critical wetlands on agricultural lands through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP). USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is prioritizing proposals that focus on assisting historically underserved producers conserving wetlands. Proposals from partners are due August 15, 2021. PAST DUE - Check USDA Newsroom Releases for future funding oppotunities.

The Department of Agriculture (Department) is soliciting applications to conduct agricultural research on one or more of the following research topic areas, with the research to be conducted from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022, with the possibility, but not the assurance, of extending that research into subsequent years.

 Some topics include: various multiyear research projects, climate adaptation and mitigation, spotted lanternfly, conservation BMPs, the PA Pollinator Protection Plan, dairy product research, blockchain technology, workforce development, urban agriculture, pesticide impacts, noxious weeds, etc. 

Interested applicants must submit a complete electronic research project proposal and grant application using the Department of Community and Economic Development's Electronic Single Application web site at https://www.esa.dced.state.pa.us/Login.aspx on Friday, June 25, 2021, by 4 p.m. PAST DUE - Check back for more funding opportunities next year. 

Planning grants of up to $5,000 are awarded for the creation of a Coldwater Conservation Plan that identifies the threats to the health of local coldwater ecosystems that have naturally reproducing trout as well as the opportunities for habitat restoration and conservation within those watersheds -- ultimately aim to conserve and protect the coldwater streams of Pennsylvania. 

Implementation grants of up to $8,000 may be used to pay for equipment, materials, meeting expenditures, construction activities and other services to implement recommendations for projects that enhance, conserve, or protect the streams in which a conservation plan was originally completed. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to: aquatic habitat improvement structures, riparian buffers, stomrwater BMPs, agricultural BMPs, acid deposition abatement, education & outreach programs, stream bank restorations, etc. Trout Unlimited chapters, watershed associations, conservation districts, conservancies, and municipalities are among those eligible to apply.