The Ohio General Assembly recently allocated nearly $8 million to the NatureWorks Program for the next two fiscal years, FY 14 and FY 15. ODNR is currently offering half of these funds for local park projects, awarded projects can be started as early as spring 2015.
NatureWorks funding is available for cities, villages, counties, townships, park districts and conservancy districts interested in securing funds to assist with local park projects. Applicants and project scopes must meet the eligibility requirements under the NatureWorks Program, and all applications for the NatureWorks grant program must be postmarked by Sept. 1, 2014.
The NatureWorks grant application can be found at: ohiodnr.gov/realestate.
The Ohio Parks and Natural Resources Fund (State Issue No. 1) was passed by voters on Nov. 3, 1993. Additional legislation authorized the creation of the NatureWorks program. This is the 21st round for NatureWorks grants.