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Meramec Funding Sources

Community Conservation Grant
Bill Duncan

Community Conservation Grant

Aug. 1, 2019
By Missouri Department of Conservation

Story summary:

  • The Community Conservation Grant Program provides funding for wildlife habitat, partnerships for land stewardship and natural landscape management training.

Quick Facts

MDC Mission
Protect and manage the fish, forest, and wildlife resources of the state; to facilitate and provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy and learn about these resources. 

Grant Mission
Promote urban wildlife habitat improvement, encourage organizational partnerships for land stewardship, and support the training of partner staff to manage natural landscapes. 

Eligibility
Local governments, Schools, Nonprofits

What do they fund?
Stream restoration, Prairie grass reconstruction, Forest management, Wetland enhancement, Wildlife habitat improvement, Training or partner organization staff. 

What wont they fund?
Equipment purchase 

Length of funding
1 year 

Amount of funding
$50,000 max 

Match 
Preference given to projects that include 25% match 

Timing
June – applications available

September – applications due

December – applicant notification

About

Community Conservation Grants are open to government entities or non-profit organizations to develop conservation strategies for their communities.

Community Conservation grants promote urban wildlife habitat improvement, organizational partnerships for land stewardship, and natural landscape management training. 

Eligible counties include those in the Lower Meramec Watershed (Jefferson, Franklin and St. Louis). Towns in those counties are also eligible if they have a population greater than 1,000 and are approved by the MDC Community Conservation Team.

The goals of the CCG program are:

  • To provide support for terrestrial and aquatic habitat improvement in urban areas
  • To coordinate efforts among similar organizations which share the common goal of improving urban habitats and supporting community conservation efforts
  • To train partner organization staff in native habitat restoration and long-term management practices of sustaining natural landscapes
  • To engage the public through conservation education and volunteer opportunities.

All projects must have a 15-year management plan.

 Project Examples

Springfield, MO

Habitat restoration along Sunset Street. Other projects in this area include: riparian corridor re-establishment, native grass plantings, invasive species removal, glade/savannah restoration, rain garden establishment and maintenance of a naturalized streambank.

St. Louis, Open Space Council

This grant funded the Open Space Council of St. Louis with their Operation Wild Lands volunteers working throughout the region on habitat improvement projects. Project locations include: West Tyson County Park, Castlewood State Park, Museum of Transportation (St. Louis County), The College School at LaBarque Creek, Laumeier Sculpture Park, Parkway Southwest Middle School, Kennerly Elementary School, Ozark Regional Land Trust Schultz Nature Preserve, and World Bird Sanctuary.

More Info/Resources

Contact Info

Erin Shank
314-301-1506, ext. 4207
Erin.Shank@mdc.mo.gov

Ashley Schnake
417-895-6881, ext. 1637
Ashley.shnake@mdc.mo.gov

Consult your community’s attorney and financial advisors prior to moving forward with any of these funding options. Any reference in this website to any person, or organization, or activities, products, or services related to such person or organization, or any linkages from this website to the website of another party, do not constitute or imply the endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of companies or organizations.
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