The Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council (HCC) announces funding is available through the Natural & Cultural Heritage Grant program. The Board of County Commissioners has authorized grant funds up to $220,000 for the program. Additionally, $200,000 is available in 2024 for projects that further open space conservation and align with the developing Douglas County Open Space Plan. Award amounts will range from $5,000 to $75,000.

The HCC encourages applications that focus on the conservation of cultural, natural, agricultural and environmental resources or projects that produce educational programs or products on these topics. All projects must take place in Douglas County, Kansas, and be completed within two years. 
The Heritage Conservation Council’s strategic planning determined the following specific themes to be priority areas for funding recommendations:

• Inclusive and creative storytelling of heritage. Elevating stories of under-told stories or narratives of BIPOC, immigrants or refugees, LGBTQIA2s+ or other marginalized communities. Projects led by people with lived experience and marginalized identities will be prioritized.

• Conservation and restoration of native ecosystems. Conserve or restore prairie, woodlands, waterways and other ecosystem types.

• Enhancement of agricultural heritage. Preserve and promote the viability of working farms, conserve high-quality agricultural soils, and promote agritourism or public access to heritage farms.

• Accessibility and visibility of important natural and cultural sites. Protect, build or maintain recreational and/or historic trails. As appropriate, provide increased access to and/or education about historic sites, including cemeteries.

• Strategic preservation of historic resources. Promote the listing of significant historic structures and districts to the National or Kansas Register of Historic Places, promote the adaptive reuse of historic structures, and promote the conservation of designated structures, districts and landscapes.

• Who may apply? Douglas County-based entities such as nonprofit organizations, businesses, K-12 schools, universities or any unit of local government. Out-of-county organizations, businesses or units of government must have a Douglas County partner.

There will be a grant information session at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, at the Douglas County Public Works building, 3755 E. 25th St. It is open to anyone, and applicants are not required to attend to be eligible to apply.

The grant guidelines and the application are available on the Douglas County website at: http://www.dgcoks.gov/hcc. The application deadline is 5 p.m. March 7. Interested parties are required to discuss their project with Heritage Conservation Coordinator Kaitlyn Ammerlaan by Feb. 23 in advance of the application deadline. Please email heritage-coordinator@dgcoks.gov or call 785-330-2878 to arrange this meeting.

The Council will evaluate all proposals and make recommendations for funding to the Board of County Commissioners in April for approval.