Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity (LAND) Grant
Forecasted
Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity (LAND) Grant supports Massachusetts municipal commissions in acquiring land or conservation restrictions to protect natural resources and enable public passive recreation.
Funder: Division of Conservation Services
Due Dates (Anticipated): July 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $425,000 per municipality; reimbursement of 52–70% of eligible project costs
Summary: Supports Massachusetts municipal acquisition of land or conservation restrictions for conservation and public passive recreation.
Key Information: Municipalities must fund the full project cost upfront and must not acquire property before EEA executes the contract.
Description
The Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity (LAND) Grant Program is administered by the Massachusetts Division of Conservation Services (DCS), within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA). It helps municipal conservation and agricultural commissions purchase land in fee simple or acquire conservation restrictions for conservation and public passive recreation. This is a land-acquisition program rather than a research grant.
Program priorities include biodiversity protection, landscape conservation, outdoor passive recreation, drinking water protection, and stewardship of conservation and working lands. LAND also supports climate adaptation through resilience criteria and relevant Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness priorities. Funded properties become permanently protected open space under Article 97 and must remain available to the public for appropriate passive recreation, including when a conservation restriction covers privately owned land.
