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

2023-2024 Funding Cycle Announcement

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is pleased to announce the 2023-2024 funding cycle for the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program.

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 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, 2023 - Pre-application window opens

October 13, 2023 - Pre-application window closes

Spring 2024 - Successful Pre-applicants notified

Spring 2024 - Second-level Application window opens

Summer 2024 - Final Approval of Projects

Educational Workshops

DNR Grants Staff conducted two web-based educational workshops about GOSP grant programs during June. While these events have already passed, the slides that were used in those presentations and the Program Manuals for grant can be found on the righthand side of this page to support applicants. A recording of the presentation about the GOSP grant can be viewed in the video clips below.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Bethany Carnes at bethany.carnes@dnr.ga.gov or 404-463-0288.

Tutorial Videos

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 meet 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, October 10, 2023 at 9:30 a.m.

Location - TBD