The Land and Water Conservation Fund has distributed billions in conservation grants since 1965.
In that time, Tribal Governments received less than one percent of total awards — a product of structural barriers that have kept one of the federal government's most significant conservation programs largely inaccessible to the governments that steward 2.3% of this country's lands and waters.
This Hub is a resource for Tribal Governments and staff navigating those barriers. It's not a federal website — it's a practical, Tribal-centered starting point with plain-language guidance, downloadable tools, recorded trainings, and direct pathways to free technical assistance.
For the first time, federally recognized Tribal Governments, Alaska Native communities and organizations, and Native Hawaiian Organizations can apply directly to the National Park Service for the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) funding. Direct recipients no longer need to apply through a state intermediary, and there is no population minimum. Awards range from $300,000 to $15 million can support land acquisition, the development or renovation of outdoor recreation spaces, or projects that combine both to create recreation opportunities that reflect community priorities. Urban Indian Organizations are also eligible to apply as subrecipients through a federally recognized Tribal Government or their State Lead Agency.
For more information, reach out to NPS directly — your inquiry will be routed to the correct staff.
A free step-by-step guide from Trust for Public Land — includes a project eligibility and readiness checklist, sample application timelines, grant-writing tips, and curated resources.
Tribal Governments steward 2.3% of US lands and waters, yet have received less than one percent of LWCF awards since 1965.
Read the Great American Outdoors Act (P.L. 116-152)The LWCF State Assistance Program allocated $4.5 billion (1965–2019) to state, local, and Tribal governments for the acquisition, development, and planning of outdoor recreation lands. Tribal awards totaled $4.5 million, accounting for only 0.1 percent of grant funding awarded.
Whether you're new to LWCF, preparing an application, looking for training, or learning from other Tribal Governments' experiences — start wherever fits your work today.
Here's what to know.
Expanded direct eligibility for Tribal Governments under the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP), one of LWCF's competitive grant programs, regardless of population size. The expansion also includes Alaska Native corporations and Native Hawaiian community organizations.
ORLP's recurring five-year notice is now live, and the eligibility change is permanent: Tribal Governments can apply directly — a significant shift from prior rules.
A proposed first-ever Bureau of Indian Affairs program that would allow Tribal Governments to acquire lands and easements for natural and cultural resource conservation — with direct access, no state intermediary, and no matching requirement.
Proposed in the FY2024 and FY2025 Biden budgets. The current Administration has not included this proposal in either their FY26 or FY27 budgets, and Congress has not advanced it. It is not expected to be in play in the near term, but advocacy continues.
The current administration has proposed redirecting a significant portion of LWCF federal land acquisition funding. The stateside programs that Tribal Governments access most directly remain intact, but the landscape is shifting.
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This Hub is updated as conditions change. Sign up to get notified when policy shifts, programs reopen, or new trainings are scheduled.
LWCF is administered across multiple agencies. Each handles a different slice of the program — direct links below.
This Hub was built by Against the Current Consulting for The Wilderness Society's Native Lands Partnerships program, in coordination with the National Park Service, the Trust for Public Land, National Assoc. of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (NATHPO), and other partners working to expand Tribal access to LWCF. It is part of a family of Tribal Hubs developed with the same approach: useful not just because they exist, but because of the engagement, webinars, and relationships built around them.
This Hub is designed to work the same way: as a starting point and a connection point, not a final destination. If you can't find what you need here, we want to hear from you.
