DCNR Now Accepting Applications For Wild Resource Conservation Grants

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is now accepting applications for Wild Resource Conservation Program Grants.  The deadline to apply is July 7.

Applications should support the priorities, recommendations, and actions outlined in the WRCP Priorities, State Wildlife Action Plan or other agency priorities--

--  Mammal priorities: Surveys on S1-S2 focal species to fill data gaps identified in the PA Wildlife Action Plan for prairie deer mouse, least shrew, and spotted skunk; and a rapid assessment protocol for Allegheny woodrat.

-- Bird priorities: Northern harrier nest surveys and migratory stopover sites, and revisitation of wood thrush habitat management from 2018-2019 to assess outcomes.

--  Plant priorities: field work, taxonomic work and genetic studies on species groups commonly mis-identified including the dodders (Cuscuta spp.), sand grape (Vitis spp.), mountain mints (Pycnanthemum spp.). Also, revisitation of historic locations of rare plants.

-- Fish priorities: Assessment of Chesapeake logperch movements using PIT tag tracking, and Bridle and Ironcolor Shiner re-assessment and determine their distributions in PA.

-- Herpetile priority: Green salamander data gap analysis and assessment including ground truthing a model.

-- Aquatic invertebrate priorities: Determining the distribution and conservation status of a rare amphipod (Grammarus), and surveys of 12 stonefly regional SGCN species.

-- Orphan taxa priorities: Fungi biodiversity, particularly DNA barcoding; pollinators of plant species of concern; and a firefly inventory and assessment.

-- As always, project ideas that do not fit a priority but support the PA State Wildlife Action Plan, agency’s species management plan, or other need is welcomed.

Before starting a grant application, contact the Agency Coordinators from DCNR, PA Game Commission, or PA Fish and Boat commission to assist in developing a competitive grant application.  

Click Here to apply online.

Visit the DCNR Wild Resource Conservation Program webpage for copies of grant related documents (links on right side of page).  Questions should be directed to Rebecca Bowen at rebbowen@pa.gov  or WRCP Program Assistant, Ryan Bortnyk at rbortnyk@pa.gov. 

Resource Link:

-- DCNR Now Accepting Applications For Wild Resource Conservation Grants To Protect At-Risk Wildlife, Native Plants

[Posted: May 5, 2025]  PA Environment Digest