BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is currently accepting applications for the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant program. The program allows local governments with qualifying projects to apply for $50,000 to $1.5 million to develop new outdoor recreation spaces, revitalize existing parks, and forge connections between people and nature.

The DNR will be accepting applications through June 28, 2024. A webinar on April 23, 2024, will be held to provide additional information about the process. Prospective applicants can also view more details and application information on the DNR’s Land and Water Conservation Fund webpage.

Through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the DNR will select the highest scoring applicants and send them on to the National Park Service to compete for up to 50% matching fund assistance. Municipalities and counties that are awarded funding can then apply for additional local matching funds from the Maryland DNR through the Program Open Space — Local or Community Parks and Playgrounds programs.

To be eligible for the program, projects must be located in Maryland and target the creation of new outdoor recreation spaces, revitalization of existing parks, or creating connections between people and the outdoors.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.