The Arkansas Department of Agriculture works closely with Arkansas’s 75 conservation districts to protect and manage the state’s natural resources. We provide ongoing support through technical assistance, program coordination, training, and funding opportunities. Our goal is to strengthen each district’s capacity to deliver effective, locally led conservation efforts across the state.
Conservation District Grant Program
The Conservation District Grant Program provides funding to enhance the ability of conservation districts to carry out local conservation efforts. Through this program, the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission offers grant assistance for projects that promote resource protection, enhancement, or restoration.
Eligible Projects
To qualify for funding, projects must:
- Be new or expand on current conservation efforts
- Focus on resource enhancement, restoration, or protection
- Be implemented by a conservation district
Projects that replace existing programs are not eligible. Only conservation districts may apply.
Application and Review Process
Applications are reviewed for feasibility, practicability, and potential benefit to the applying district. After review, Department staff will rank each application and make funding recommendations to the Natural Resources Division Director. The director will then present recommended projects to the commission for final approval.
Grant awards are made based on the anticipated conservation impact at the district, regional, or statewide level.
Grant Agreement and Reporting
Before funds are disbursed, the Director and the selected conservation district must enter into a formal grant agreement. This agreement will reference the original application and outline the terms and conditions of the grant. Upon completion, the district must submit a report that includes:
- Actual project benefits and outcomes
- Comparison of actual vs. expected results
- Summary of receipts and expenditures
For multi-year projects, this reporting is required annually. All grant funds must be tracked as part of the district’s financial operations, and the Director may request additional financial documentation as needed.
Grant Conditions
- Maximum funding: $25,000 per district, per year
- Multi-district projects: Up to $25,000 per district, per year
- Duration: Funding is limited to two years for the same or similar projects
- Matching requirement: Local cash match of $1 for every $2 in grant funds
- Personnel funding: Must be used for newly hired staff or expanded hours of existing personnel
Director Training
There are no meetings available at this time.
Arkansas Conservation District Map
