Land and Water Conservation Fund

    Funding agency
    Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF)
    Program name
    Bureau of Parks & Lands / Grants & Community Recreation
    Status
    Open
    Description

    The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1964 (LWCF) was established to assist federal, state, and local governments in the acquisition and/or development of public outdoor recreation facilities. Administered at the federal level by the National Park Service and at the state level by the Bureau of Parks and Lands, Grants & Community Recreation Program, LWCF grants can provide up to 50% of the allowable costs for approved acquisition or development projects for public outdoor recreation. Funds are made available on a reimbursement basis. LWCF can fund virtually any public outdoor recreation development project, and or the infrastructure that enables and supports public outdoor recreation.

    Contact
    Mat Henion, Mathew.B.Henion@maine.gov
    Total funding
    $2,500,000
    Max award
    $1,000,000
    Match required
    Yes
    Match description
    A minimum of 50% of eligible project costs must be provided by the applicant. In-kind values and donated services are eligible. Most other federal funds cannot be used as match.
    Applications close
    Future rounds
    Opens annually
    Eligible applicant description

    The only eligible applicants are the State of Maine, counties, municipalities, school districts, and tribal nations.

    Eligibility requirements

    Applicant must request a project eligibility assessment to be cleared to apply. Applicant must currently own the land or will own the land as a result of the award. The resulting development must be open to the public in perpetuity. Current recipients are not eligible to apply, but once their project is completely closed out, they may reapply.

    Geographic eligibility

    Projects must be located within the state of Maine.

    Project type
    Climate Planning and Resilience
    Community and Economic Development
    Infrastructure and Transportation
    Natural Resource and Environmental Stewardship
    Project subcategory
    Bike/Ped and Trails
    Boats and Ferries
    Climate Resilience
    Culverts and Stream Crossings
    Dams
    Ecological Restoration
    Green Infrastructure
    Invasive Species
    Land Acquisition/Easements
    Outdoor Recreation
    Parks and Recreation
    Public Health
    Tourism and Hospitality
    Transit and Vehicles
    Other (Climate Planning and Resilience)
    Other (Community and Economic Development)
    Other (Infrastructure and Transportation)
    Other (Natural Resource and Environmental Stewardship)
    Project stage
    Design
    Implementation
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    Last updated: January 13, 2026