The Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program is a grant and loan program administered by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and authorized by The Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act. Program funds will be dispersed for the purpose of providing stewardship to state parks; state lands and wildlife management areas; to support local parks and trails; and to protect critical conservation lands.

All eligible applicants must complete a Pre-application online. Following the competitive Pre-application phase, successful Pre-applicants will be invited to complete a Second Level application. Applicants may submit Pre-applications for both the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program and Land and Water Conservation Fund Program, but applications must be for separate projects. 

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include qualified local governments (as determined by the Department of Community Affairs), constituted recreation authorities, state agencies and nongovernmental entities with a core mission of conservation. Make sure you are in good standing with DCA. 

Past Awards

2021-2022 Conserve Georgia Grant Awards

Some of the 2021-2022 Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program Selections:

City of LaGrange
Ridley Lake Project; $3,000,000
The City of LaGrange is developing a 45-acre inclusive/accessible facility known as Ridley Lake Project. This project will include approximately 1.3 miles of multi-use trails, boardwalks and bridges to wetland areas, ADA inclusive kayak/canoe launch, fishing piers, wildlife viewing areas, pavilions, amphitheater, accessible playgrounds, and a trailhead.

City of Sandy Springs
Trail Segment 2a; $3,000,000
The City of Sandy Springs plans to acquire easements and construct approximately two miles of multi-use trail and boardwalk. This project is a segment of a larger trail system which will connect existing recreational areas and provide opportunities for walking and biking, as well as fishing and wildlife viewing.   

City of Tucker
Johns Homestead Dam and Park Improvements; $2,521,800
The City of Tucker will enhance the Johns Homestead Park through construction of new access points, boardwalks, ADA-accessible fishing pier, permanent orienteering course, educational kiosks, and bird viewing blind. The shorelines and stream buffers will be restored through planting native plants and vegetative restoration of streambank. The proposed project will also rehabilitate two existing dams to make the park safer for the users, improve stormwater mitigation, and reduce sediment flowing downstream.

Contact

Taylor Brown, Grants Unit Chief

[email protected] | 404-463-8601