Millions in state funding available to preserve Virginia farmland forests and historic sites
Richmond, Virginia – The Virginia Land Conservation Foundation (VLCF) is now accepting applications for an unprecedented $15.3 million in land conservation grant funding aimed at protecting the Commonwealth’s most valuable natural, agricultural, historical, and recreational assets.
Funding to Protect Virginia’s Priority Lands
These matching grants are available to support a wide variety of conservation projects across Virginia. The funds will go toward safeguarding working farms and forests, cultural and historical landmarks, and natural habitats critical to rare plants and animals. Public parks and outdoor recreation areas are also among the key priorities for this funding.
According to the Virginia Outdoors Survey, nearly 90 percent of Virginians believe that “protecting the state’s natural and open-space resources from development” is “very important,” highlighting strong public support for such investments.
The state budget approved in May designated $16 million for land conservation efforts in fiscal year 2026. Of that, $4 million is automatically allocated to the Virginia Outdoors Foundation. The remaining $12 million is now open for competitive VLCF grants. Additionally, an extra $3.3 million has been made available from interest earnings and unspent funds from previous conservation projects that either came in under budget or were withdrawn, bringing the total grant pool to $15.3 million.
Who Can Apply and How
The VLCF grant program offers 50-50 matching funds to local governments and nonprofit conservation organizations. State agencies and federally or state-recognized Tribal Nations are eligible for full funding with no matching requirement.
Applications must be submitted by Tuesday, August 12, at 5 p.m. A virtual informational workshop will be scheduled in the coming weeks to help guide potential applicants through the process. All details, including the grant manual and application materials, will be posted on the VLCF webpage at www.dcr.virginia.gov/vlcf.
Conservation Categories and Past Impact
Grants will be awarded across five main categories: farmland preservation, forest preservation, historic preservation, natural area protection, and open spaces and parks. In 2024, the VLCF distributed $14.4 million in funding to protect more than 11,000 acres throughout Virginia. That investment supported the creation of new public parks, conservation easements for timberland and farmland, and acquisitions of culturally significant land by Virginia’s Tribal Nations.
The VLCF board, which reviews and awards the grants, includes members appointed by the Governor, Senate, and House of Delegates. The Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources chairs the board, which also includes the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. Administrative support is provided by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
This record-setting round of funding represents a major opportunity for communities across Virginia to protect and preserve the land that defines the state’s rich heritage and supports future generations.
