Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund
The Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund supports science-based projects that restore habitats, improve water quality, and enhance ecological health in the Delaware River watershed.
Funder: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2027 (Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund Request for Proposals deadline, projected)
Funding Amounts: Typical annual funding pool: $12–$17 million; individual awards often range from ~$75,000 to $1,500,000 per project; 1-year project period, with matching funds encouraged.
Summary: Supports projects that restore habitats, improve water quality, and enhance ecological vitality in the Delaware River watershed.
Description
The Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund (DWCF), administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), is a competitive grant program established to conserve and restore natural areas, corridors, and waterways within the Delaware River watershed. The fund targets projects that sustain and enhance fish and wildlife habitats, improve and maintain water quality, promote water management practices that benefit ecological systems, and expand outdoor recreational opportunities. Since its inception in 2018, DWCF has awarded over $85 million to hundreds of projects, leveraging significant matching contributions and delivering measurable conservation outcomes across Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Funding is made possible through partnerships with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, AstraZeneca, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and others.
The program prioritizes on-the-ground implementation and encourages projects that:
- Restore stream, riparian, wetland, and forest habitats
- Improve water quality for wildlife and human communities
- Implement nature-based stormwater solutions
- Enhance public access and recreational opportunities
- Build community capacity for conservation and stewardship
- Address climate resilience and biodiversity
Projects must take place entirely within the Delaware River watershed and align with the priorities outlined in NFWF’s Delaware River Watershed Business Plan.
