Need funding for a local park, trail, or conservation project and want to know more about applying for grants? Registration is now open for the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (DCNR) Bureau of Recreation and Conservation’s annual grant workshop.

This free, virtual workshop on Thursday, November 6, runs from 9 a.m. to noon. Anyone interested in applying for grants through DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) in 2026 is strongly encouraged to attend. The workshop is geared toward municipal officials, consultants, board members, trail managers, land trust staff, and parks and recreation professionals.

The workshop will explain who can apply, what can be funded, and how to make project applications more competitive.

Starting in 2026, the C2P2 grant round will be open more than a month longer than in previous years. Applications will be accepted starting January 12, and the deadline is 4 p.m. April 30.

Last year, C2P2 distributed over $80 million in funding to more than 300 projects, including local parks, playgrounds, trails, nature preserves, boat launches, pools, ballfields, and more.

The workshop will take place virtually via a Microsoft Teams Town Hall. Attendees do not need Teams installed on their computers to access the workshop. Videos of workshop presentations will also be made available on the DCNR YouTube channel for those who cannot attend.

The workshop is free, but pre-registration is required to ensure participants receive needed materials. To register, visit events.dcnr.pa.gov. Choose “November 6” under “Select a Date” and then click the “2025 Grant Workshop–C2P2–Community Conservation Partnerships Program Statewide Annual Grant Workshop” picture. Follow the “Register” prompt to sign up.

The workshop will feature ample time for project-specific Q&As with DCNR’s professional grant managers and regional advisors.

Project types discussed will include:

• Community recreation planning, rehabilitation, and development;

• Land acquisition and conservation;

• Non-motorized and motorized trail planning and construction;

• River access, restoration, and conservation;

• Community and watershed forestry; and

• Statewide and regional partnerships.

A general session for all applicants will begin at 9 a.m. Project type-specific breakout sessions will follow. Applicants should plan on attending both the general session and the breakout session for the project type that applies to them.