Community Conservation Funding Opportunities

A group of more than a dozen potted trees being used in a community tree-planting event
Community Conservation Funding Opportunities

The Department of Conservation offers communities and partners a number of grant and cost-share options to assist with everything from green development to wildlife habitat to enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities.

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MDC Grant and Cost-Share Opportunities

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MDC’s Community Conservation Cost-Share Program promotes sustainable development practices and the establishment of natural resource conservation practices in municipal and developing areas.

Eligible Groups

Eligibility is determined by the project planner and regional supervisor based on regional priorities. Due to the limited dollars available, proposed projects may be reviewed as needed by the Regional Community Conservation Team based on regional priorities. Eligible property includes lands in public ownership or open to the public, such as, but not limited to, municipal and county parks and schools. Private property that extends or connects to projects on public land providing stormwater conveyance, habitat connectivity, or other public benefits is eligible. 

Eligible Practices

Cost-share is authorized for activities such as native grass and pollinator plantings, forest and woodland management, invasive species control, and aquatic resource management. In addition, other practices eligible for cost-share include urban green space planning, engineered drawings, and training of staff on conservation-related programs.

Application Process

Cost-share funds are available beginning in July. Due to limited funding, applications are funded on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information about the Community Conservation Cost-Share opportunities, please contact your regional office. 

Community Forestry Cost-Share is designed to assist Missouri communities with improving their community forest. This cost-share program encourages communities to have a sustainable, balanced, and comprehensive community forestry program based on a current tree inventory and managed with the guidance of a community forestry professional. Lastly, Community Forestry Cost-Share is designed to promote community forest benefits through the proper management and care of trees.

Eligible Groups

Eligible applicants include (1) government entities (e.g., municipal and county parks departments, schools), or (2) non-profit corporations. Applications from schools and school districts must identify a full-time staff member as project manager. If the applicant is not the property owner, a letter of permission must accompany the application.

Eligible Practices

Cost-share opportunities available under the Community Forestry Cost-Share include municipal tree ordinance development, development of a written community tree management plan, or community readiness plan for addressing exotic insect disease outbreaks, community tree inventories, management of ash (Fraxinus sp.) trees, training of city employees and volunteers to improve community forestry, purchase of tree-care education materials, development and/or distribution of tree-care-related educational materials, removal of critical-risk trees, pruning, tree planting, and other opportunities to further community forestry.

Application Process

Cost-share opportunities are available beginning in July. Due to limited funding, applications are funded on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information about the cost-share opportunities, please contact your regional office. 

MDC's Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Grant (ORIG) is a reimbursement-based grant program for enhancing public access and opportunities for citizen engagement in conservation-related outdoor recreation through the development of outdoor recreation infrastructure. Funding will be based on available funds, viability of the proposal, and the extent to which the project advances MDC’s goal to connect people to nature through conservation-related activities.

Eligible Groups

This grant can be used by nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service or organized under Chapter 355 of the Missouri Nonprofit Corporation Act, counties, municipalities, cities, towns, and townships, school districts, agencies, or instrumentalities of local governments and special districts established under Missouri law.

Project Types

Applicants will be asked to identify their project in one of the following three categories:

Planning and Design

Applicants can apply for up to $100,000 of MDC reimbursement to share at least 50% of the cost of planning and design of infrastructure projects. Additional funds could be available for higher cost share depending on geographic locations and approval from MDC.

Light Infrastructure Project

Applicants can apply for up to $100,000 of MDC reimbursement to share at least 50% of the cost of infrastructure projects that, due to their nature, would not require a licensed design professional (RSMo 327) to design. Additional funds could be available for higher cost share depending on geographic locations and approval from MDC. Examples of such projects could be installation of a natural or aggregate surface trail, trail maintenance, installation of small items like benches or tables, or other projects that do not include concrete or other heavy construction work. MDC staff can assist in consulting with partners to determine if their project qualifies as a Light Infrastructure Project.

Heavy Infrastructure Project

Applicants can apply for up to $300,000 of MDC reimbursement to share at least 50% of the cost of infrastructure projects that, due to their nature, would require a licensed design professional (RSMo 327) to design. Additional funds could be available for higher cost share depending on geographic locations and approval from MDC. Examples of such projects could include construction of a pavilion, installation of a boat ramp, creating a concrete trail, or other projects that include concrete or other heavy construction work. Successful applicants will be required to show verification of work by the Missouri-licensed engineer for the project before reimbursement will be issued.

Funding Levels

Successful applicants are expected to provide at least 50% (1:1) match (in-kind match is allowed for non-maintenance activities) for the entire scope of the proposal. The Missouri Department of Conservation has established Community Conservation Tiers to help prioritize underserved areas of the state.

Depending on the location of the project, funding levels could change:

  • For projects within a Tier 2 community, applicants could receive up to 75% reimbursement.
  • For projects within a Tier 1 community, applicants could receive up to 90% reimbursement and receive upfront funding as opposed to reimbursement with demonstrated need.

Application Process

Applicants will prepare and submit an application for the ORIG. On June 24, 2024, the Department will release the official RFP and Application on this webpage. Applications will be due August 9. Applications will be reviewed by a department review committee and communication on the results of the review will be shared in early September. For those with questions, please contact the Recreational Use Specialist from your region below: 

Map outlining the 8 different MDC regions in Missouri.
  • Northeast Region and Central Regions: Tyler Blake, 660-785-2420 ext. 6508
  • Northwest and Kansas City Regions: Alek Lanter, 816-622-0900 ext. 1229
  • Ozark Region: Cody McKee, 417-256-7161 ext. 4760
  • Southeast Region: Bridget Jackson 573-290-5858 ext. 4490
  • St. Louis Region: Lafe Schweissguth, 636-441-4554 ext. 4177
  • Southwest Region: Phillip Stearns, 417-334-4865 ext. 1622
Land Conservation Partnership Grant

The Land Conservation Partnership Grant is a competitive, matching grant to help communities acquire land or easements and provide opportunities for land conservation or outdoor recreation access.

We are accepting applications for the Land Conservation Partnership Grants (LCPG).

Land Conservation Partnership Grant opportunities:

  • The Conservation Land Acquisition Program provides financial assistance to local governments and non-profit organizations for acquiring lands through fee title to be held and managed by the partner. The purposes of the grant are to: 1) provide public access to lands which allow citizens to discover and connect to nature and participate in related outdoor recreation activities, and 2) enhance long-term conservation of wildlife species, habitats, and ecosystem services through protection of lands having important conservation value. Applications for the Conservation Land Acquisition Program can be submitted and considered on a rolling basis at any time.
  • The Conservation Easement Assistance Program provides financial assistance to land trusts and local governments for acquiring conservation easements on privately-owned land having especially high conservation value. The primary purpose of the grant is to provide long term habitat protection of land that has especially high conservation value for wildlife, water quality, outdoor recreation, and/or other ecosystem services. Projects selected for funding will be eligible for 100% MDC reimbursement of the costs associated with establishing a donated conservation easement (e.g. drafting, closing costs, stewardship fees, etc.). The program currently does not pay landowners for the value of the conservation easement but is being reviewed to assess the feasibility of doing so for especially important tracts. For projects in which funding to pay the landowner for the easement value is needed/desired, applicants should wait until after our review before applying. Applications for the Conservation Land Acquisition Program can be submitted and considered on a rolling basis at any time.

If you have questions about the Land Conservation Partnership Grant, you can contact: Gus Raeker at Gus.Raeker@mdc.mo.gov or by phone: 573-522-4115 ext. 3129.

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LCPG Conservation Easement Assistance Program Overview
FY24 LCPG Conservation Easement Assistance Program75.66 KB
LCPG Conservation Land Acquisition Program
FY24 LCPG Conservation Land Acquisition Program78.02 KB
Other Funding Sources
Community Forest Program
Opportunity for communities to acquire and conserve forests that provide public access and recreational opportunities, protect water supplies and wildlife habitat, and serve as demonstration sites.
Monarchs in the Rough
Get funding and technical assistance to convert golf course roughs to quality monarch butterfly habitat.
Urban Waters Restoration Program
Grants available for addressing water quality issues in priority watersheds, such as such as erosion from unstable streambanks and pollution from stormwater runoff.
NACD Urban Agriculture Conservation Grant
Aids communities in developing their technical capacity for agricultural conservation projects.