Pennsylvania Environmental Council's Mini Grant Programs: Pennsylvania Water Trails Program Mini Grants

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council's Mini Grant Programs, specifically the Pennsylvania Water Trails Program Mini Grants, aim to enhance outdoor recreation and resource conservation. By partnering with various state agencies, grants of up to $7,000 are available for projects that promote sustainable use of water trails, ensuring inclusive access and community engagement across Pennsylvania's designated trails. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to the program's guiding principles, including stewardship and community vitality.

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) and our supporting organization the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) currently administer eight mini-grant programs. Each program is unique with specific goals and objectives but all focus on one or more of the following areas of interest: land and water trails; outdoor recreation; resource protection and conservation; and community engagement.
PEC works in partnership with the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the National Park Service to facilitate the PA Water Trails Program. With 29 designated trails across the Commonwealth, the Program brings technical and financial assistance and to the diverse network.
Grants are available on a competitive basis for projects that implement the PA Water Trail Program’s eight guiding principles:

• Partnership, Stewardship, Volunteerism, Education, Conservation, Community Vitality, Diversity, and Wellness & Well-being.

Proposed projects must demonstrate that they will advance program goals such as creating recreational opportunities for all Pennsylvanians on water trails; developing trails that support sustainable use of natural resources; increasing and improving inclusive access to Pennsylvania Water Trails for all; and connecting water trails to land trails or to other culturally significant community assets.
Applicants can request up to $7,000 and project proposals must include a 1:1 match (cash, in-kind, or a combination).

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include registered non-profit organizations and public entities (such as a county, municipality, or municipal agency). All projects must occur on or for a designated Pennsylvania Water Trail (view map here: https://www.pawatertrails.org/pa-water-trails).