Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (DLNHC), the local lead for the Lehigh Valley Greenways Conservation Landscape, is preparing to disburse $100,000 through the 2026 Lehigh Valley Greenways Mini-Grant Program.
The online application period opens Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 and runs through Friday, March 27, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Mini-grants support ready-to-go projects lasting 12 to 16 months that protect and promote the Lehigh Valley’s natural resources and advance Lehigh Valley Greenways goals.
Focus areas include land conservation and restoration, outdoor recreation and trail connections, community revitalization, and local education and outreach. All potential applicants are requested to send a representative to the pre-application webinar on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Register for the webinar here.
Funding priorities include
-
Adopt model ordinances and/or official maps to protect natural resources and improve bicycle and pedestrian connections.
-
Implement ecological restoration projects, such as:
-
Stream habitat improvements
-
Riparian buffers
-
Native grass and wildflower meadows
-
Bioswales
-
Rain gardens
-
No-mow areas
-
-
Host equitable educational events, trainings, and workshops.
-
Improve THE LINK multiuse trail network, including:
-
Closing trail gaps
-
Adding safety and directional signage
-
Improving stormwater management
-
Creating safe crossings
-
Adding amenities
-
-
Incorporate ecological resiliency strategies into relevant projects.
Eligible applicants include municipalities, municipal agencies, county conservation districts, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations with tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status registered with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Charitable Organizations. Projects must be located in Lehigh or Northampton County. Grant requests must range from $1,000 to $20,000, with total project costs not to exceed $50,000, and require a cash and/or eligible in-kind match totaling at least 20% of the total project cost. Maximum awards of $15,000 to $20,000 will be primarily reserved for resource management and infrastructure projects.
Grant awards will be announced in May 2026 for projects lasting 12 to 16 months, with start and end dates between June 1, 2026 and Nov. 30, 2027. View guidelines and apply online. The program is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Bureau of Recreation and Conservation, Environmental Stewardship Fund, and mini-grant funds may not be used to match other DCNR-funded grant projects. Learn more about DCNR Conservation Landscapes. Questions: contact Brit Kondravy at 484-215-6227 or conservation@delawareandlehigh.org.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Email your news release to info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com
