Illinois Department of Natural Resources

1. Illinois Department of Natural Resources IDNR Community Grant Opportunities Nancy Williamson, Ecosystem Administrator Conservation 2000

2. Conservation 2000 Ecosystems Program IDNR Recreation Grants-in Aid

3. http://www.dnr.state.il.us

4. Conservation 2000 The purpose of the Ecosystems Program is to integrate the interests and participation of local communities and private, public and corporate landownersto enhance and protect watersheds through ecosystem-based management.

5. http://www.dnr.state.il.us/orep/c2000/

6. http://www.dnr.state.il.us/orep/c2000/

7. Conservation 2000 Conservation Easement/Acquisition Habitat Restoration Planning Research Outreach/Education Resource Economics

8. Conservation 2000 Guidance to Developing Project Grantshttp://www.dnr.state.il.us/orep/c2000/download/

9. http://www.dnr.state.il.us/orep/c2000/ Conservation 2000 Partners for Conservation PRIORITIES: High Quality Natural Areas: Acquire/protect Minimum Functional Habitat Areas: Acquire/restore Buffer Sensitive Areas: Create/protect/restore Connect Habitat Areas Ecosystem-Based Best Management Practices Restore/Naturalize Hydrologic Functions Complementary Educational Strategies Research & Monitoring Integration Local, State, Federal Program Integration

10. http://www.dnr.state.il.us/orep/c2000/ Conservation 2000 Online Application due last day of February 5pm No set Match requirement – show commitment in line with ability Typical Acquisition $150K - $400K Typical restoration $35K - $125K Recommend applicants go thru Associated Ecosystem Partnership Process

11. http://www.dnr.state.il.us/orep/c2000/ Competitive C2000 projects are: Targeted to native restoration Linked to other areas of biological significance Shows partnering and cooperation with other local agencies/entities Participates with the local Ecosystem partnership Has a well thought-out plan and the ability to sustain long term.

13. http://www.dnr.state.il.us/orep/c2000/grants/ grants_links.htm

14. IDNR Recreation Grants-in Aid • Open Space Lands Acquisition & Development (OSLAD) • Federal LWCF Grants • Bicycle Path Grants • Boat Access Area Development • Public Museum Grants • Recreational Trails Program • Local Government Snowmobile Grants • Snowmobile Trail Establishment Fund

15. Open Space Land Acquisition Development (OSLAD) Grant • Up to 50% reimbursement - acquisition and development of lands for public parks & open space • Eligible applicants: units of local government, Park District, FPD, Conservation Districts, Municipalities, Townships & County Governments • Maximum acquisition grant = $750,000 • Maximum development grant = $400,000 • Last several years, $20 million available for OSLAD grant funding

16. Open Space Land Acquisition Development (OSLAD) Grant • Annual application cycle: May 1- July 1 (July 3, 12:00pm first business day of 2006) • Agencies are limited to a maximum of 1 acquisition & 1 development grant application annually • Grants announcement date ranges from November to April

17. Current OSLAD Priority Projects include: Protection or enhancement of: • significant natural areas • threatened and endangered species habitat • significant wildlife areas • natural wetland areas Promoting conservation education opportunities

18. Current OSLAD Priority Projects Include: • Promoting recreational use of surface waters • Protection or recreational use of linear greenways • Interagency cooperation in providing and/or effectively utilizing local recreation resources • Enhancing recreational opportunities for minority and less affluent populations or adaptive reuse of inner urban properties for open space and park purposes

19. Current OSLAD Priority Projects include: • Priorities for OSLAD acquisition: to local agencies with less acreage than the statewide median • Priorities for OSLAD development: to local agencies where a deficiency of proposed recreation facilities exists.

20. Eligible OSLAD Projects may include: • Acquisition of land for new park sites or park expansion, water frontage, nature study, and natural areas • Picnic and playground facilities • Outdoor interpretive facilities • Sports courts and playfields • Swimming pools, beaches and bathhouses

21. Eligible OSLAD Projects may include: • Campgrounds and fishing piers • Winter sports facilities • Park roads and paths, parking, utilities and restrooms

22. OSLAD Application Evaluation Criteria: • A project consistent with a master parks & recreation plan or strategic or capital plan • Documentation of public involvement in the project’s planning • Diverse facilities of “high need” • An accurate & detailed site development plan • Low site infrastructure costs • Proposed facilities that are accessible to the disabled

23. LWCF Grant (LAWCON) Land & Water Conservation Fund Grant Program • Grant Application deadline of July 1 (same as OSLAD with the same application) • This program is federally-funded (OSLAD is state-funded) • Up to 50% Grant funding for Acquisition of Lands for Public Parks & Open Space • Maximum grant award is $ 750,000.00 • Funding level uncertain year to year

24. Bike Path Grant Program • Up to 50% reimbursement for the acquisition and development of bicycle paths • Eligible grant applicants are: units of local government, (Park Districts, Conservation Districts, Forest Preserve Districts, Municipalities, Township and County Governments, etc.) • Maximum acquisition grant = No maximum • Maximum development grant = $200,000 • For the last couple of years, $2.5 million dollars has been available annually for grants

25. Bike Path Grant Program Details • Annual application cycle: January 1 – March 1 Deadline March 1, 12:00 noon • Beginning this year, no limit on the number of applications that an agency may submit each year • Paths developed through the program MUST be a minimum of 8 feet wide and CANNOT be circular paths within a park • Grants awards are generally announced in the fall

26. Bike Path Application Evaluation CriteriaProject Priorities • Population Served (the greater the #, the better) • Trail Significance (Statewide – Regional – Local) • First Trail in the Service Area • Major Expansion to an Existing Trail • Important Link to Existing Trails • Trail Length (the longer, the better) • Local Planning Involved • Environmental Factors/Trail Attributes • Multiple Trail Users Allowed (equestrians, snowmbls, etc.) • Include support facilities (restrooms, parking, shade)

27. Eligible Development Projects May Include: • Bike Path Construction or Renovation, Clearing, Grading, Drainage, and Surfacing • Bridging • Fencing • Regulatory/Informational Signs • Restroom Buildings, Drinking Fountains, Parking Areas

28. Boat Access Grant Program Details • 100% reimbursement for development of boat/canoe launches & associated facilities (entrance road, parking, restroom facilities, etc.) • 90% reimbursement for acquisition of land to be developed for a boat/canoe launch • Eligible grant applicants are: units of local government

29. Boat Access Grant Program Details • Maximum boat (motorized) • grant = 200,000 • Maximum canoe (non-motorized) grant = 50,000 • For the last several years, the Boat Access grant program has had $725,000 available for grants

30. Current Boat Access Priority Projects include: • Development of new launches • Projects that create or improve a water trail • Projects located in counties with high numbers of registered watercraft • Sites that have high projected facility use • Projects that have documented public planning and citizen input • Suitable location • Project sponsor financial cooperation • Project sponsor’s ability to maintain the site • No facility user fees

31. List of Publications • Guidance to Developing (C2000) Project Grants • Outdoor Recreation Facilities Guide • Playground Planning Guide • Community Park and Recreation Planning Guide • Boating and Canoe Access Development Guide

32. Grant application information/forms • Go to www.dnr.state.il.us • Click on “Grant Info” left hand side • Click on “Recreational Grants-in-Aid Programs” or C2000 grants program

33. http://www.dnr.state.il.us

34. http://www.dnr.state.il.us Conservation 2000 Ecosystem Program Nancy Williamson 847.608.3100 x2051 nancy.williamson@illinois.gov Grants for Public Outdoor Recreation & Facilities The Office of Architecture, Engineering & Grants, Division of Grant Administration Greg Akers - 217-782-7481 dnr.grants@illinois.gov