Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship Grants
Forecasted
Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship Grants support conservation land trusts in caring for protected Illinois lands through restoration and stewardship projects that safeguard natural features and build lasting capacity.
Funder: Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Due Dates (Anticipated): June 2027 (Application deadline) | June 2027 (Pre-qualification deadline) | June 2027 (Submission close)
Funding Amounts: $20,000–$100,000 per project; terms of up to two years
Summary: Grants help conservation land trusts steward protected Illinois natural areas and build their stewardship capacity.
Key Information: Applicants must be 501(c)(3) conservation land trusts with land restoration and stewardship among their purposes.
Description
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources funds stewardship on dedicated Illinois Nature Preserves, dedicated buffers, and registered Land and Water Reserves through this program. Its two purposes are to increase care of these protected lands and strengthen conservation land trusts’ capacity to continue that work. Funding comes from the Illinois Natural Areas Acquisition Fund.
Projects may address invasive species, prescribed burns, or restoration and enhancement of native plant communities, using methods in an approved site management schedule. The department considers all eligible projects, with a focus on urgent needs where a feature protected by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission risks being lost. New projects and proposals that continue, supplement, or expand existing work receive equal consideration.
