The land and water conservation fund (lwcf) state and local assistance program provides matching grants to develop parks owned by states and local communities

The National Park Service (NPS) awarded $1.2 million to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources on October 1, 2025, under the Outdoor Recreation Acquisition, Development and Planning program (CFDA 15.916). This Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program grant supports park development projects selected by Pennsylvania based on its outdoor recreation priorities. The award is funded through offshore oil and gas lease revenue rather than federal tax dollars and requires matching contributions from state and local partners.

Through a subaward executed on April 14, 2026, the Pennsylvania DCNR will distribute grant funds to Upper Mount Bethel Township to rehabilitate the Upper Mount Bethel Preserve in Northampton County. The project deliverables include renovation of existing trails; construction of pedestrian walkways, boardwalks, overlooks, a pavilion, parking area, and access drive; and installation of storm water management infrastructure. The project period extends through September 30, 2028, and is designed to benefit the general public by enhancing outdoor recreation facilities and accessibility at the preserve.

Based on its outdoor recreation priorities, the state has selected grant projects to receive lwcf funding. Lwcf grants are made pursuant to 54 U.S.C. 2003 and are funded by offshore oil and gas lease revenue, not tax dollars. In this project, the pennsylvania dept. Of conservation and natural resources will make a subaward to the upper mount bethel township for developments at upper mount bethel preserve. This project will benefit the general public.