Organization:
Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR)
FY25-26 Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program (GOSP) / Conserve Georgia Grant
Last Updated:
May 21, 2025
Type:
Federal
State,
Private,
Other
Status:
Pre-Application Period Open 8/1/2025 - 10/17/2025
Minimum Project Cost:
Estimated $666,667
Annual Award Amount (min):
$500,000
Annual Award Amount (max):
$3,000,000
Eligible Activities:
Planning
Design
Construction
State,
Private,
Other
Eligible Applicants:
Natural Resources or Public Lands Agencies
State,
Private,
Other
Description
The Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act became effective July 1, 2019. Applicants may apply for Conserve Georgia grants and loans through the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program by completing an online application. Eligible proposals include projects that support state parks and trails; support local parks and trails of state and regional significance; provide stewardship of conservation land; or acquire critical areas for the provision or protection of clean water, wildlife, hunting, fishing, military installation buffering, or for natural resource-based outdoor recreation.
Eligible Projects
Local parks and trails of regional significance
These funding opportunities are specially reserved for local governments, constituted recreation authorities, and nongovernmental entities to acquire and/or improve local parks, trails, and conservation lands. The Local Parks and Trails of State and Regional Significance Application shall be used to apply for any of the three distinct projects below:
- Acquisitions of property, to include conservation easements
- Local stewardship funding for maintenance, restoration, or improvement projects
- Combination projects that involve both the acquisition of land, either through fee-simple or conservation easement purchase AND for maintenance, restoration or improvement for the land or conservation easement acquired
Best Practices
Pre-applications are scored based on the following questions:
- What percentage of matching funds can you provide? (5 points)
- Does this project satisfy specific and clearly identified priority needs, as identified in a formalized planning document? (up to 25 points)
- Will this project provide outdoor nature-based recreational opportunities? (25 points)
- Is this project located in one of the areas listed (HUC-12 or other water conservation areas)? If YES, will any Best Management Practices be used for any improvements, restoration, or management activities associated with the project beyond what is required by existing commitments or local and state law? (up to 25 points)
- Does this project include the acquisition or stewardship of land with a cultural or historical value? (10 points)
- Does this project include the acquisition or stewardship of land with a significant ecological, conservation, restoration, or natural resource sustainability value? (25 points)
- Do you have a plan and budget to maintain, manage, and secure this property for multiple years of commitment beyond the project completion date? (up to 15 points)
- Is this project regionally significant? (25 points)
- Is there a measurable monetary value added to this project through cooperation with external qualified local governments, Local Authorities registered with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, Community Improvement Districts or with other partners? (10 points)
- Does this project support goals and objectives in Georgia's current State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP)? (20 points)
- Does this project overlap with the Foundational Goals in Georgia's current State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan? (5 points)
- Will this project create opportunities to enhance the regional and/or statewide economy? (15 points)
- Will this project provide access or a connection to other outdoor recreation facilities or areas? (15 points)
- Will this project promote the stewardship of natural resources? (5 points)
- Will this project add new water access points where none is currently available? (10 points) 16. Is there documented public support for the project? (5 points)
