Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program

Overview

kids at Cloudland Canyon State Park

During the 2018 legislative session, the Georgia General Assembly passed House Bill 332 and House Resolution 238, establishing the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act. On November 6, 2018 Georgia voters passed the amendment with 83% support. This newly founded grant program will provide a dedicated funding mechanism to support parks and trails and protect and acquire lands critical to wildlife, clean water and outdoor recreation across the state of Georgia.

The Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act became effective July 1, 2019. Applicants may apply for Conserve Georgia grants and loans through the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program by completing an online application. Eligible proposals include projects that support state parks and trails; support local parks and trails of state and regional significance; provide stewardship of conservation land; or acquire critical areas for the provision or protection or clean water, wildlife, hunting, fishing, military installation buffering, or for natural resource-based outdoor recreation. To learn more about the program and funding, please see the Program Manual.

Sign up for Outdoor Stewardship Program email updates

2025-2026 Funding Cycle Announcement

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is pleased to announce the 2025-2026 funding cycle for the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program.

2025-2026 Funding Cycle Announcement

All eligible applicants must complete a Pre-application online. Following the competitive Pre-application phase, successful Pre-applicants will be invited to complete a Second Level application. Applicants may submit Pre-applications for both the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program and the Recreational Trails Program, but applications must be for separate projects.

The Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program is a grant and loan program administered by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and authorized by The Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act. Program funds will be dispersed for the purpose of providing stewardship to state parks; state lands and wildlife management areas; to support local parks and trails; and to protect critical conservation lands. Eligible applicants include qualified local governments (as determined by the Department of Community Affairs), constituted recreation authorities, state agencies and nongovernmental entities with a core mission of conservation.

GOSP Funding Cycle Dates are as Follows:

August 1, 2025 - Pre-application period opens

October 17, 2025 - Pre-application period closes

Spring 2026 - Applicants will be notified, Second-level Application window opens

May 29, 2026 - Second-level Application period closes

Summer 2026 - Final Approval of Project Agreements

Educational Workshops

DNR Grants Staff will conduct one in-person, and one webinar-based educational workshop about Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program, in tandem with the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). The two sessions will cover the same material. These workshops will be at no cost to the public, but we ask that you register at the following links:

In-person - Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Indian Springs State Park, Idlewilde Center - 678 Lake Clark Rd., Flovilla, GA 30216

https://forms.gle/nkT6SV9LBghPkyAw5

Webinar - Thursday, June 5, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2580972050424476503

2024 Tutorial Videos

Note: Yearly videos are uploaded in July

Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees of the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund consists of 11 members. The Board is responsible for accepting applications and evaluating and approving the proposals in accordance with priorities established by the Board. The Board of Trustees meets quarterly for the transaction of business and to review the progress of the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund. The dates and locations of these meetings will be posted on the DNR website.

Board of Trustees Members & Meeting Information

Next Board of Trustees Meeting:

Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 9:30 am.

Location: DNR Board Room - 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., S.E., Suite 1252 East Tower, Atlanta