2026 Water Trail Mini Grant Program

 Pennsylvania Water Trails Program      The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) works in partnership with the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the National Park Service to coordinate the Pennsylvania Water Trail Program. With 28 designated trails established across the Commonwealth, the Program partners are committed to providing technical assistance, critical resources, and meaningful support to the diverse network of Managers and their partners.

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) has been awarded a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, (DCNR) to administer the 2026 Pennsylvania Water Trail Mini Grant Program. This program will provide mini grants of $1,000 to $7,000 for projects that support and advance the goals of the PA Water Trail program. 

Funding and Match: The program is funded through DCNRʼs Environmental Stewardship Fund administered by the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation and managed by PEC. All projects, related costs and funding must conform to the guidelines of the DCNR C2P2 Program: Partnership Grants 

All PA Water Trail mini grants require a 20% match of the total project cost, up to the maximum grant award of $7,000. (can be cash, in-kind services, or a combination of both). For example, a $7,000 mini grant would require a $8,750 total project cost; $7,000 grant (80%) and $1,750 required match (20%). No portion of the match can originate from DCNR funding or a DCNR funded project. Total project cost cannot exceed $50,000. 

• Cash Match - No portion of the cash match can originate from DCNR funding.
• In-kind Match - the value of municipal labor and/or professional services is equal to the hourly billable rate multiplied by the number of hours performing that service or job. The value of volunteer in-kind will be valued at the current Independent Sector Volunteer Rate for Pennsylvania at the time the work was performed. Currently this value is $32.28/hour. No portion of the in-kind match can originate from a DCNR funded project.
• All match must occur during the contracted begin and end date of the grant award.
• For more information on eligible and ineligible match and project costs click here. 

*Applicants should provide proof of match commitment. 

Grants are awarded to projects that will be undertaken after the award of the grant, not to retroactively reimburse the cost of projects that have already begun or been completed prior to the grant award. No match can be expended prior to award of the grant; you cannot retroactively use match.

The top partnership goals include:

• Creating recreational opportunities for all Pennsylvanians on Water Trails
• Developing trails that support sustainable enjoyment of natural resources and assets
• Increasing and improving physical and psychological access to Pennsylvania Water Trails for all
• Connecting water trails to land trails

 The program’s guiding principles are:

• Partnership
• Stewardship
• Volunteerism
• Education
• Conservation
• Community Vitality
• Diversity
• Wellness and Well-being

Details about how these principals are implemented through the Water Trail program can be found on the program website. In your project proposal you will be asked which of these guiding principles your project advances and how it does so.    

Additional Considerations for the 2026-2027 Mini Grant Award Program

Last year, the PA Water Trail Program released the Five Year Strategic Action Plan, 2025-2029. Once again, the Mini Grant program will prioritize funding projects that advance the Plan's Goals and Strategic Outcomes by implementing one or more Actions and Activities. In your project proposal you will be asked whether your project does so and, if so, you will need to identify specific Goals, Outcomes, and how your project is or relates to one or more of the Actions and Activities. Many elements of the Plan must be implemented by PEC and agency partners, therefore you are not required to propose a project that aligns with the Strategic Action Plan, however, those that do will receive a higher score within that portion of the application. 

In addition, consider reviewing the Fishing and Boating Access Strategy released by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as you develop your proposal, if appropriate to your project. This strategy provides tools and resources to identify new fishing and boating access sites, improve existing sites and maximize accessibility so that all users have access to fishing and boating opportunities. No additional points will be added to proposals that advance this strategy, but reviewers may seek reference to it if it is applicable.

Metrics

You will be asked to consider how you will determine the impact and success of your project using metrics you deem appropriate. Water Trail Program staff will require that you report on these metrics in your progress and final reports. If project impact and success cannot be determined using any metrics, you will be asked to explain.

You are free to select the metrics that best suit your project. Possible metrics include:

• Number of printed publications created
• Number of locations where publications are available or distributed
• Number of people who attend a program or public meeting
• Number of people with a changed behavior
• Number of website/social media hits
• Number of project planning meetings held
• Number of events held
• Number of plans created

Project Budget Form

Please read the Budget Form directions very carefully. The Mini Grant team recognizes that it can be a little quirky. If it isn't working for you for any reason, PLEASE contact Tali MacArthur, (contact info below) so that a solution can be worked out. A budget that cannot be easily interpreted by the review committee or that is inaccurately completed may impact your application's score and likelihood of being funded.

Questions:

• For content questions about this application, contact Tali MacArthur (tmacarthur@pecpa.org) or (570) 285-8013.
• For technical questions regarding completion of this application, contact support@submittable.com Monday-Friday, 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. with limited availability on the weekends. 

Completing the Application: It is possible to complete the application during multiple sessions. Be sure to save as you go and before you end any session. Please answer all questions, complete the budget worksheet, and upload necessary documents before your final submission.         

Important Dates: 

Submissions Due: November 4, 2026 by 5 PM                

Awards Announced: Week of December 7, 2026