The Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) will host a series of webinars on February 11, 2026, to start the application cycle for 2026-27. If you are thinking about applying for a grant for your outdoor recreation or conservation project, mark your calendar now.

The webinars will include information about the grants offered, eligibility requirements, deadlines, program changes for 2026, and how to apply for a grant. These webinars are for the following programs that have an April 30, 2026, application due date:

• Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account (ALEA)
• Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG)
• Community Forests Program (CFP)
• Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) (Farms, Forests, Habitat, Recreation)
• Youth Athletic Facilities (YAF)

NOTE: Updated Applicant To-Do Lists, 2026 program manuals, and other application resources for the fall programs will be posted in February 2026.

We anticipate offering grants for the Land and Water Conservation Fund: Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP) in 2026. RCO will notify potential applicants once the National Park Service publishes a notice that they are accepting applications. Scroll to the bottom of the ORLP web page to sign up for emails about this program. The Planning for Recreation Access (PRA) webinar is May 13, 2026.

The next Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant cycle starts February 2028. We do not anticipate accepting Community Outdoor Athletic Facilities (COAF) applications in the foreseeable future.

Webinars for Fall Programs

Webinars for RCO’s fall grant programs are scheduled for August 4, 2026, with applications due November 3, 2026:

• Boating Facilities Program (BFP)
• Firearms and Archery Range Recreation (FARR)
• Nonhighway and Off-road Vehicles Activities (NOVA Education and Trails)
• Recreational Trails Program (RTP)

NOTE: Updated Applicant To-Do Lists, 2026 program manuals, and other application resources for the fall programs will be posted in May 2026.

Thank you for your interest in RCO’s grant programs. If you have questions or need additional assistance, please contact your RCO outdoor grants manager.

We look forward to seeing you online early next year!

Manager, Recreation and Conservation Grants Section