Approximately $215,000 is available to support the development of planning and implementation projects aimed at protecting and enhancing watersheds across Pennsylvania, with a focus on wild trout resources.

The Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited (PATU) is pleased to announce that Round 31 of the Coldwater Heritage Partnership’s (CHP) Coldwater Conservation Grant Program is now open. Non-profit organizations, conservation districts, and municipalities are among those eligible to apply. Proposals for planning grants up to $10,000 and implementation grants up to $25,000 will be accepted until 4 pm, April 15, 2026.

In prior years, the CHP grant had a 50/50 match requirement. This year, the required match has dropped to a minimum of 25% of the requested grant amount. The maximum award for a planning grant will remain $10,000 and implementation grant awards will be a maximum of $25,000. The maximum total budget for a project will be $50,000.

Eligible projects include installation of GP-1 stream habitat improvement structures, bank stabilizations, strategic wood additions, riparian buffer installations, and other activities that promote cold-water conservation. Larger projects that require more funding can apply for grants through the Department of Environmental Protection Growing Greener Plus Grant, the Community Conservation Partnerships Program Grants (C2P2) managed by the DCNR Bureau of Recreation and Conservation, or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

CHP grants are made possible with financial assistance from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) through a Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) grant administered by the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation, and through funding from the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds. The Coldwater Heritage Partnership is a collaboration between PATU, PA DCNR, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds.

In addition to traditional CHP funds, funding is also available for cold-water conservation projects in eighteen counties that were impacted by the Mariner East 2 and Revolution pipeline construction projects. This funding is made possible through a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General (OAG).

Eligible applicants in the following counties can apply for settlement funding in addition to regular CHP funds: Allegheny, Beaver, Berks, Blair, Cambria, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Huntingdon, Indiana, Lancaster, Lebanon, Juniata, Perry, Washington, Westmoreland, and York.

Additional information, along with the grant application form, can be found on the Coldwater Heritage Partnership website at www.coldwaterheritage.org. An interactive map and searchable list of plans and projects will aid grantees in locating existing plans and projects and identifying potential new projects in their watershed of interest. Applicants are asked to contact Executive Director Eric Null, to discuss potential projects prior to applying. He can be reached at 724-640-1022, or email [email protected].