Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Grant Program

The Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Grant Program, established in 2018, provides funding for parks, trails, and conservation efforts across Georgia. Administered by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the program supports projects that protect wildlife and natural resources. Eligible applicants include local governments and conservation-focused organizations. This initiative, backed by strong voter support, aims to enhance outdoor recreation and safeguard critical lands for future generations.

Background
During the 2018 legislative session, the Georgia General Assembly passed House Bill 332 and House Resolution 238, establishing the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act. On November 6, 2018 Georgia voters passed the amendment with 83% support. This newly founded grant program will provide a dedicated funding mechanism to support parks and trails and protect and acquire lands critical to wildlife, clean water and outdoor recreation across the state of Georgia.
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 or clean water, wildlife, hunting, fishing, military installation buffering, or for natural resource-based outdoor recreation.
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. 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.