The Department of Natural Resources has numerous programs available to assist with recreational, educational and environmental improvements and projects.

Click on any of the following links to take you directly to those sections on our website:

Recreational Grants-in-Aid Programs. These include Boating Access, and Trails Programs like Bikeway, Snowmobile, Off-Highway Vehicle, and federal Recreational Trails.

FY'08 Inner City - Enhancing Public Spaces in Economically Disadvantaged and Inner City Areas - Urban and Community Forestry Inner City Program is providing an opportunity for Illinois based urban forestry not-for-profits, universities with urban forestry programs and local units of government to submit an RFP for Inner City projects. The purpose of this project is to enhance the community forests within the inner city areas.

Emerald Ash Borer (Ash Tree) Replacement in Economically Disadvantaged and Inner City Areas - Urban and Community Forestry Inner City Program is providing an opportunity for Illinois based urban forestry not-for-profits, universities with urban forestry programs and local units of government to submit an RFP for Inner City projects. This Inner City Program is in response to the Emerald Ash Borer. It provides an opportunity to remove ash trees in inner city areas and replace them with a variety of suitable trees. Projects must be under $5,000 pending funding authorization. (Application form in Word here)

The Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Grant provides financial assistance to local units of government for the development of local urban and community forestry programs. These activities must help to establish, manage, conserve and preserve the urban and community forests from inner city to associated public lands.

Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grant Program Instructions here

• Application is here
• Press Release is here

Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant application - Teachers may apply to receive funds for natural resources-related field trips with their students.

Schoolyard Habitat Action Grants (Form for Grant, pdf format) (available to schools, nature centers and youth groups)

Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Program (VFA Program) - During the past two years approximately thirty wildland fire training classes have been presented around the state through the Illinois Fire Service Institute. Please visit here again as we will be posting new information and forms. Check out our VFA site here.

Special Wildlife Funds Grant Program. The Office of Resource Conservation provides grants through the Illinois Habitat Fund, State Pheasant Fund, State Furbearer Fund, and the Migratory Waterfowl Stamp fund that are funded by Illinois sportsmen through the purchase of Habitat Stamps and Migratory Waterfowl Stamps. Together these programs are designed to protect, acquire, enhance or manage wildlife habitat and to support limited research and educational programes to further advance this mission. The Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund Grant Program is designed to preserve, protect, perpetuate and enhance non-game wildlife and native plant resources of this state through preservation of a satisfactory environment and an ecological balance. Additionally, the Maintenance of Wildlife Rehabilitation Facilities That Take Care of Threatened or Endangered Species portion of the Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund is intended to keep these facilities in a state of good repair necessary to provide safe and sanitary conditions for the species and the staff.

Conservation 2000 Ecosystems Program. Provides grants to Ecosystem Partnerships for projects that preserve and enhance the region’s resources, while addressing local economic and recreational concerns. http://dnr.state.il.us/orep/pfc/

Forestry Assistance Programs. These include the Rural Forest Landowner Assistance, the Urban and Community Forestry, Nursery Operations, Forest Protection and Health Management, Forest Products Industry Assistance, and Forestry Development Act (FDA) programs.

Landowners Guide to Natural Resources Management Incentives

Boating Infrastructure Grant Program – Funds available to local government authorities, public marinas and boatyard operators on navigable waterways for facilities which benefit transient recreational boats 26 feet or more in length, not to exceed 10 consecutive days, for temporary shelter from storm, way station, or recreation purposes. This is a cost-reimbursement program, where the marina covers the full amount of an approved project and is then reimbursed up to 75% of the approved project expenses. An application and manual can be obtained by calling (217) 782-2602 or through e-mail at dnr.specialfunds@illinois.gov

There are also financial assistance programs for the environment and recreation managed by other State of Illinois agencies. Click on any of these links to go directly to those sites:

• Illinois Transportation Enhancements Program, managed by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
• Lake Education Assistance Plan (LEAP) grants, managed by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
  
• Agricultural Resource Enhancement Programs, managed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
  
• Scientific Literacy Grants, managed by the State Board of Education.
  
• Schools Recycling Program grants, managed by the Department of Commerce and Economic Development.