Introductory Note

The purpose of this program is to enhance the capability of conservation districts to carry out conservation within their respective districts.

Eligible Projects

Projects eligible for grant funds must carry out resource enhancement, restoration or protection and must be new or in addition to those in which a district is currently involved. Projects intended to replace existing programs are not eligible for grant funding. Only conservation districts may make application for assistance.

Application Process

Applications will be reviewed for feasibility, practicability, and potential benefits to the applying district. Based on this review, conservation staff will rank the applications and make grant funding recommendations.   After reviewing the ranking and recommendations, the Director shall make his project funding recommendations to the Commission.

After review of the applications and the recommendations of the  Director, the Commission may make grant awards based upon the potential benefits to conservation in the applying district, region or the State as a whole.

Grant Agreement

Prior to providing funds, the Director shall enter into a grant agreement with any conservation district selected for funding. The grant agreement shall incorporate the application by reference and establish the terms and conditions of the grant. No funds shall be disbursed prior to execution of this agreement. At the completion of the project for which grant funds have been provided, the conservation district shall provide to the Director a review of the project including, but not limited to the following: actual benefits of the project; how actual benefits differed from what was expected; summary of project receipts and project expenditures. Funds provided shall be accounted for as part of a conservation district's financial operation. The Director may require an additional accounting of funds, as he deems necessary.  On multiple-year projects, this review shall be done annually.

Conditions

The following conditions apply to grants:

• Maximum total grant funds available per district is $25,000 per year. For multiple-district applications, grants of up to $25,000 per project per district per year may be approved.
• Grants shall be awarded for only two (2) years for the same or similar projects.
• Grant funds must be matched by local cash funds on a ratio of $1 local to $2 grant. Local funds may be used only once for any matching requirement.
• In cases where the grant is used to fund personnel, it must be used for newly hired personnel or additional hours of existing employees.

Megan Perkins, Conservation Program Coordinator
Arkansas Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Division
10421 W. Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: 501 682-3968
Email Megan Perkins