Land Conservation Program Seeks Applicants

DLNR News Release

If you have an agency or non-profit land conservation organization that could use from funding for its efforts, this program may be for you. The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ (DLNR) Legacy Land Conservation Program (LLCP) is seeking applicants for grants from the State Land Conservation Fund to fund the protection, through acquisition, of lands having value as a resource to the state.

The Legacy Land Conservation Program provides an annual source of funding for the acquisition and conservation of watersheds; coastal areas, beaches, and ocean access; habitat protection; cultural and historic sites; recreational and public hunting areas; parks; natural areas; agricultural production; and open spaces and scenic resources.

State agencies, county agencies, and non-profit land conservation organizations may apply.  Proposed projects may include acquisition of fee title or conservation easements.  County agencies and non-profit project applicants must be able to provide at least 25 percent of the total project costs.

“The program brings federal matching funds to Hawai‘i and provides an incentive to local agencies and organizations working to protect the watersheds and agricultural lands that sustain Hawai‘i’s food security, and the cultural and recreational resources important to the education and health of our children,” said DLNR Chairperson William J. Aila, Jr.

The 2011-2012 application cycle may provide approximately $4.5 million in grants, awarded through a competitive process and subject to any budget restrictions. Earlier this year, the Board of Land and Natural Resources approved and Gov. Abercrombie authorized approximately $4.45 million from the Land Conservation Fund for four projects to acquire and protect properties that have value as natural, agricultural and cultural resources to the State.  The release of these State funds helped secure approximately $7.59 million in matching federal, county, and private funds toward the protection of these lands.

Starting July 29, 2011 the 2011-2012 LLCP Grant Application and instructions are available at http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/llcp.  Applications must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on September 16, 2011.

For more information on the Legacy Land Conservation Program, please visit
http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/llcp or call (808) 586-0921.