OLYMPIA — The state has begun accepting grant applications to build parks, trails, boating facilities and shooting ranges, as well as grants to conserve wildlife habitat and working farms, the state Recreation and Conservation Office announced.
Some grant applications are due May 1 and others July 1.
The office is administering grants in several categories:
■ Boating — Grants to acquire, develop and renovate facilities including launching ramps, guest moorage and support facilities for motorized boats and other watercraft
■ Parks — Grants to buy land and develop parks, ballfields, sports courts, outdoor swimming pools and waterfront access areas for the public
■ Shooting ranges — Grants to buy land, develop and renovate firearm ranges and archery training and practice facilities
■ Trails — Grants to maintain and develop trails
■ Farmland preservation — Grants to preserve valuable farmland
■ Wildlife habitat conservation — Grants to conserve significant natural areas or habitat for plants and animals, including grants to protect areas along streams and waterways
The Recreation and Conservation Office administers 15 grant programs for activities such as building parks, trails and boating facilities; protecting wildlife habitat; conserving working farms; and recovering salmon from near extinction.
Since 1964, the office has awarded nearly $2 billion for more than 8,400 projects across the state.
“These grants help make our communities great places to live, work and play,” said Kaleen Cottingham, director of the Recreation and Conservation Office.
“Not only do these grants allow cash-strapped communities to get projects completed, they put people to work, and they open up our great outdoors for people to enjoy.”
Funding for these grants come from a variety of sources including the federal government, state funding and user fees.
For more information about the grants available this year, visit www.rco.wa.gov.