Grants

Ohio Department of Natural Resources

• Aquatic Education Grant – The Aquatic Education Grant is designed to increase aquatic stewardship and sportfishing participation. (Maximum of $10,000)
  • https://ohiodnr.gov/buy-and-apply/apply-for-grants/grants/aquatic-education-grant
• Boating Safety Education Grant – For boating safety education programs offered by political subdivisions and nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations. Grants range from $1,000 to $30,000 with grantee cost share or in-kind contribution of 25%. Program period is two years. All grant expenditures and cost share contributions must occur during the program period.
  • https://ohiodnr.gov/buy-and-apply/apply-for-grants/grants/boating-safety-education
• Natural Areas Research Grant – Allison Cusick and Daniel Rice Research Grant Program
  • The mission of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Natural Areas and Preserves (DNAP) is to preserve Ohio’s unique natural heritage by protecting and restoring our finest land and water resources for future generations.
  • https://ohiodnr.gov/buy-and-apply/apply-for-grants/grants/dnap-research-grant
• Step Outside Grant – The Step Outside Grant is designed to promote outdoor activities, such as fishing, hunting and shooting sports. (Maximum of $500)
  • https://ohiodnr.gov/buy-and-apply/apply-for-grants/grants/step-outside
• Clean Ohio Trail Fund – The Clean Ohio Trail Fund (COTF) seeks to improve outdoor recreational opportunities for Ohioans by funding trails for outdoor pursuits of all kinds.
  • https://ohiodnr.gov/buy-and-apply/apply-for-grants/grants/clean-ohio-trail-fund
• Wildlife Education Grant – The Division of Wildlife offers Wildlife Education grants to local schools, government agencies, non-profit organizations and other school-oriented facilities to support wildlife-related education projects and programs. These grants are designed to provide funding for materials, equipment and activities that are otherwise unaffordable to the school or organization; they are not meant to provide on-going funding. Eligible projects include habitat improvement on the school/organization grounds, materials to support wildlife-related research and programs, field trips and professional development related to Ohio wildlife. This application packet is designed to facilitate the application process and to make the grants easily accessible to all interested schools and organizations.
  • https://ohiodnr.gov/buy-and-apply/apply-for-grants/grants/wildlife-education

Ohio Forestry Association Foundation

• Conservation Education Grant Program – The OFA Foundation Conservation Education Grant Program is designed to provide funding for activities that align with the above Mission Statement of the OFA Foundation. These grants will generally be small-scale grants designed to assist an organization with a project, with a maximum individual grant amount of $2,500.
• https://www.ohioforest.org/page/Grants

Columbus Audubon

• Columbus Audubon sponsors a Conservation Grant program to support conservation projects and research in Columbus and central Ohio. Since its start in 2013, our Conservation Grants program has awarded over $40,000 in grants.
• https://columbusaudubon.org/conservation-pages/conservation-grants/

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency

• The Ohio EPA offers several grants that could be utilized for projects.
• https://epa.ohio.gov/get-funding

Genera; References for Conservation Grants

• https://www.instrumentl.com/browse-grants/ohio/grants-for-land-conservation

Natural Resource Assistance Council

• NRAC Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program – The Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program provides grants for up to 75 percent of the estimated costs. Match can take the form of funding, contributions of land, labor, or materials.
• https://www.ovrdc.org/clean-ohio-program

Foundation for Appalachian Ohio

• Gulfport Energy Fund – The Gulfport Energy Fund accepts applications from nonprofit and public organizations for projects serving Belmont, Guernsey, Harrison, Jefferson, Monroe, and Noble counties. Grant awards typically range from $1,500 to $5,000 though grant requests of up to $10,000 may be considered. Grant awards support the areas of education, health and human services, and environmental stewardship.
• https://appalachianohio.org/grow/funds/fund-profiles/gulfport/

Ohio Bluebird Society

• The purpose of the OBS Grant is to provide funding for projects that create or improve nesting habitat for Ohio’s native cavity nesting bird species. Typically, this will involve building and installing new nest boxes or replacing worn/damaged nest boxes. Grant applications will be accepted throughout the year and awards will be announced every two months. OBS will award multiple grants per year, with a maximum of $500 per individual project.  Grants will only be awarded to new or ongoing projects; funds will not be awarded retroactively.
• https://ohiobluebirdsociety.org/about/grant-information/

Training

• Muskingum Soil and Water Conservation District – https://www.muskingumswcd.org
• Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist (OCVN) (Cost is around $400)
  • Ohio State University – https://ocvn.osu.edu
  • Cincinnati Nature Center – https://www.cincynature.org/conservation/conservation-education/ohio-certified-volunteer-naturalist-ocvn-program
• Ohio River Foundation – Summer Student Course Ohio River Conservation Course $175 https://ohioriverfdn.org/education-programs/orcc
• Zane State College – Wildlife Conservation – https://www.zanestate.edu/wildlife-conservation-2
• ODNR Division of Wildlife – Classroom Kits https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Early-Learning/News/ODNR-Division-of-Wildlife-CONSERVATION-EDUCATION-M
• Ohio Wildlife Center Scout Programs – https://www.ohiowildlifecenter.org/learn-with-us/book-a-private-program/you-come-to-us/
• Ohio 4H – Forestry and Wildlife Conservation Camp – Cost $115 (Doesn’t need to be in 4H) https://ohio4h.org/camp/forestry-and-wildlife-conservation-camp
• Hocking College Wildlife Resources Management Program – https://www.hocking.edu/wildlife-resources-management
• Mid-East Career Center – Natural Resource Conservation Program https://www.mideastctc.org/high-school/programs/natural-resource-conservation
• Ducks Unlimited Ecology Conservation & Management Certification – https://www.ducks.org/certification
•  

Conservation Organizations

National Level Short List

• Trout Unlimited
• Ducks Unlimited
• Whitetails Unlimited
• Fly Fishing International
• National Wild Turkey Federation
• National Wildlife Federation

Organizations in Ohio

• List of several Organizations – http://www.eco-usa.net/orgs/oh.shtml
• The Wilds – https://www.thewilds.org/
• Take Me Fishing – https://www.takemefishing.org/ohio
• Muskingum Soil and Water Conservation District – https://www.muskingumswcd.org