SANTA FE – The State Parks Division of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department is now accepting applications for $3,510,000 in federal funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

The application period runs through November 30, 2024. Application materials are available on the State Parks Division LWCF section of the EMNRD website.

Interested parties must also contact Alternate New Mexico State Liaison Officer Dr. Robert Stokes at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss proposal requirements. Proposals will not be accepted for submission without prior consultation with the Alternate State Liaison Officer.  
 
The U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service created the Land and Water Conservation Fund (WCF) to assist in preserving, developing, and assuring accessibility to outdoor recreation resources and to strengthen the health and vitality of citizens. The program provides matching grants to States and through the States to their political subdivisions and other appropriate public agencies, including recognized Indian tribes, for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation sites and facilities.  

In New Mexico, the program is administered by the State Parks Division. The following types of projects receive priority consideration for LWCF grants:

Projects that increase access for minority, elderly, disabled and other disadvantaged or under served populations. 

Outdoor recreation projects of Federally recognized Tribes and other Indigenous communities. 

Conservation projects that benefit fish and wildlife. 

Projects that enhance habitat connectivity to improve climate change resilience as well as outdoor recreation. 

Recreational trails, supporting existing national historic trails, national scenic trails, and national wild and scenic rivers projects.  

Offerors shall submit one electronic copy (by email or link) of the proposal to Robert Stokes at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  no later than November 30, 2024. The State Parks Division shall not accept proposals received after this date and shall make no exceptions for proposals not received by the appointed deadline.  

For more information about the Land and Water Conservation Fund program log onto emnrd.nm.gov and click on the LWCF tab under Plans and Grants or contact Robert Stokes at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .