– Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship Grant Program (FY27)
Can you apply?
This grant is for conservation land trusts performing stewardship activities on protected natural areas in Illinois.
Eligible recipients are Conservation Land Trusts with projects on land designated as an Illinois Nature Preserve, dedicated buffer, or registered Land and Water Reserve. The preserve or reserve must have a current management schedule approved by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission.
Land trusts can work on property owned by others if a properly executed agreement exists between the trust and landowner, with IDNR notification required at application. Work on IDNR-owned land is discouraged unless the project crosses IDNR boundaries.
Eligible activities include stewardship actions from approved management schedules, invasive species control, prescribed burns, habitat restoration, contractual services, equipment rental, supplies, and staff time.
This grant is for conservation land trusts performing stewardship activities on protected natural areas in Illinois.
Eligible recipients are Conservation Land Trusts with projects on land designated as an Illinois Nature Preserve, dedicated buffer, or registered Land and Water Reserve. The preserve or reserve must have a current management schedule approved by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission.
Land trusts can work on property owned by others if a properly executed agreement exists between the trust and landowner, with IDNR notification required at application. Work on IDNR-owned land is discouraged unless the project crosses IDNR boundaries.
Eligible activities include stewardship actions from approved management schedules, invasive species control, prescribed burns, habitat restoration, contractual services, equipment rental, supplies, and staff time.
Program description
Eligible Recipients are Conservation Land Trusts performing stewardship activities on eligible land.
Eligible Lands
• Land protected by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission as a dedicated Illinois Nature Preserve, dedicated buffer, or registered as a Land and Water Reserve.
• Preserve/Reserve must have a current management schedule approved by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission.
• Conservation Land Trusts can work on eligible land owned by another entity provided there is a properly executed agreement between the Conservation Land Trust and the landowner, and the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission has been notified of this agreement at the time of application. The agreement must be in effect at minimum through the end of the grant term.
• Work on land owned by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is discouraged unless the qualifying and/or significant feature receiving work crosses an IDNR boundary and inclusion of the IDNR portion of the feature is critical for the success of the stewardship project. Other exceptions may be considered by the grant reviewers.
Grant assistance may be obtained for the following activities:
• Stewardship activities. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, stewardship of land or water for the following:
– Stewardship actions identified in a current, approved management schedule which are designed to maintain, preserve, or improve the condition of native natural communities, diversity of species, and ecological processes,
– control of exotic and invasive species,
– prescribed burns, or
– restoration/enhancement of native plant communities.
• Contractual services for any eligible project,
• Purchase and rental of supplies and equipment such as:
– UTVs, trailers, sprayers, seed, herbicide),
– personal protection items (except boots),
– hand tools,
– radios,
• Staff time (excluding benefits)
• Indirect Costs Funding for this grant program is derived from a portion of the Illinois Natural Areas Acquisition Fund (NAAF); NAAF is a Department of Natural Resources fund that supports the acquisition, protection, and stewardship of natural areas, including habitats for endangered and threatened species (Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act, 525 ILCS 35/14). Stewardship actions funded by this grant program must be included in the management schedules approved by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission. Eligible costs may include contractual services, staff time related to the project, equipment and materials necessary to complete stewardship projects such as tools, safety items, herbicide, construction materials, and indirect costs. Benefit costs are not eligible.
Grant Program Administration: By Administrative Rule, maximum funding to one project is $100,000. A suggested minimum project amount is $20,000. There is a 5% or $1,000 matching fund requirement, whichever is less on each project.
Length of grant term will be no more than two (2) years and will be paid on a reimbursement basis at the end of the project unless other arrangements are provided in the grant agreement. Administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 422-20-1713).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Details
This grant is for conservation land trusts performing stewardship activities on protected natural areas in Illinois.
Eligible recipients are Conservation Land Trusts with projects on land designated as an Illinois Nature Preserve, dedicated buffer, or registered Land and Water Reserve. The preserve or reserve must have a current management schedule approved by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission.
Land trusts can work on property owned by others if a properly executed agreement exists between the trust and landowner, with IDNR notification required at application. Work on IDNR-owned land is discouraged unless the project crosses IDNR boundaries.
Eligible activities include stewardship actions from approved management schedules, invasive species control, prescribed burns, habitat restoration, contractual services, equipment rental, supplies, and staff time.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Proof of land designation (Illinois Nature Preserve, dedicated buffer, or Land and Water Reserve registration)
- Current approved management schedule from Illinois Nature Preserves Commission
- Landowner agreement (if land owned by third party)
- Detailed project budget with cost breakdown
- Documentation of cost-sharing contribution (minimum 5% or $1,000)
- Project narrative linking activities to management schedule
Program contact
- 👤 Kelly Neal
- 📧 Kelly.Neal@illinois.gov
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Conservation Land Trusts performing stewardship work on designated Illinois Nature Preserves or Land and Water Reserves. The land must have an approved management schedule.
Can we work on land we don't own?
Yes, if you have a written agreement with the landowner and notify the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission before applying. The agreement must remain in effect through project completion.
What activities are eligible for funding?
Stewardship actions from approved management schedules, invasive species control, prescribed burns, habitat restoration, contractual services, equipment, supplies, and staff time (excluding benefits).
What is the funding range and matching requirement?
Awards range from $20,000 to $100,000 per project. A 5% match or $1,000 minimum (whichever is less) is required from your organization.
How long is the grant term?
Projects last no more than two years. Reimbursement is paid at project completion unless other arrangements are made in the grant agreement.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Ensure your land has an active, approved management schedule from the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission before submitting. Missing this creates automatic ineligibility.
- Document all stewardship activities carefully against your management schedule. Reviewers verify that proposed work aligns with the Commission's approved plan.
- For the minimal 5% match, budget in-kind donations or volunteer labor to meet the requirement easily. This low threshold is intentionally accessible for smaller trusts.
- Describe how stewardship work improves native communities or controls invasive species. Connect project outcomes directly to management schedule goals.
- Build in 30+ days for IDNR processing timelines. Applications with missing documentation or unclear land descriptions cause delays beyond the standard review period.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications lack proof of current, approved management schedule from Illinois Nature Preserves Commission. Land must be formally designated as eligible preserve type before application submission. Budgets include staff benefits, which are explicitly ineligible costs under program rules.
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