Heritage Conservation Trust Fund Grant Deadline Nears

Nashville, Tenn. – The Heritage Conservation Trust Fund Board reminds organizations and agencies across Tennessee that March 15, 2007, is the deadline for submission of pre-applications for the Trust Fund’s next cycle of grant awards.

Eligible projects range from the preservation of tracts for the purposes of tourism and recreation to projects focused on protecting or restoring the state’s physical, cultural, archaeological, historical and environmental resources.

The pre-application process is used to evaluate the proposed project to determine priority level and eligibility for the full application phase. Organizations whose pre-application is approved will receive notified by letter along with instructions for completing a full application package.

Applications are accepted from educational, governmental, nonprofit land and water conservation organizations and municipal and county governments. Private landowners are encouraged to partner with one of these types of agencies or organizations on proposals.

Projects that involve partnerships, extensive leveraging of funds and those that enhance or connect to existing conservation lands will receive greater consideration for funding. Projects approved for grant awards must meet certain criteria before the funds are provided, including property surveys and appraisals, environmental assessments and enactment of mechanisms such as conservation easements to guarantee the permanent protection of the properties. Grant awards for this cycle will be announced in June.

The Trust Fund made its first round of grant awards in November 2006 for eight projects to protect more than 15,000 acres across Tennessee. With the emphasis on projects that involve partnerships and extensive leveraging of funds, these eight grants totaling $10.3 million will protect land valued at approximately $21 million.

While two formal grant cycles have been established per year, projects demonstrating a level of urgency for threatened lands may also be considered by the Heritage Conservation Trust Fund Board at any time. Pre-application instructions and forms and additional information about the Heritage Conservation Trust Fund are available at: www.tdec.net/trustfund/

For more information contact:

Dana Coleman
Office (615) 253-1916