1615 - HERITAGE FUND - Environmental Education - FY26
Funding Opportunity Details

Heritage Fund

Pre Application Deadline: Jan 11, 2026 11:59 PM

Final Application Deadline: Feb 1, 2026 11:59 PM

Description

• HERITAGE FUND - ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

  This fund was developed to promote outdoor environmental education programs related to outdoor recreation.  Past projects have ranged from on the ground education to creation of digital/paper educational materials for the public. In addition, funds can be used for the operation of educational programs to promote safety and environmental protection as those objectives relate to the use of recreational trails or outdoor recreation facilities. Eligible expenses include: 

   

  • Development and operation of trail safety education programs/trail-related or outdoor recreation environmental education programs.
  • Production of trail related educational materials, whether on information displays, in print, electronic, video, audio, interactive computer displays, brochures, and pamphlets.
  • Interpretive panels and costs related to trail interpretation.
  • Educational and Environmental materials related to outdoor recreation.
  • Interactive displays as it relates to recreational trails or outdoor recreation facilities.
  • Services which provide the public with easy access to better/updated information on the accessibility of recreation trails and/or outdoor recreational facilities. 

   

  Overview summary:

  • $10,000 minimum request and $25,000 maximum request
  • Heritage Environmental Education grants are a reimbursement grant, meaning the sponsor must be able to pay for the project costs in full as they are incurred.  
  • Heritage Environmental Education grants do not require any matching funds, however, applicants may receive additional scoring points when matching funds are present. 
  • The applicant (Sponsor) must have title, adequate control (fee or easement) of the project area or approval from the land manager.
  • ASPT anticipates that this will be a competitive funding cycle where not all proposals will be funded. Several factors are used in determining the award amount to each applicant including but are not limited to; available funding, number of applicants, past grant history, and evaluation score. Please see attachments for more information about how proposals will be scored. 
  • Heritage funds have a mandatory term of public use which varies based on grant specifics (typically 15 years or less, unless using funds to purchase land). 

   

  Project Requirements:

  • ASPT expects that sponsors are taking substantive action within 90 days of receiving the Approval of Proceed letter. Substantive action could include the release of a Request for Proposal to procure equipment or services, submission of claims for other grant related expenses, or completion of other milestones. 
  • Quarterly status reports are required. Reimbursement of claims will be withheld if status reports are not up to date. 

   

  ELIGIBLE AGENCIES:

  • State, County, Local, Tribal Government agencies, as well as non-profits and school districts. 
  • Any sponsor that has an existing trail-funded project with a safety and environmental component of a current grant will not be eligible.

   

  HOW MANY APPLICATIONS CAN AN ENTITY SUBMIT PER CYCLE?

  • Applicants cannot apply for more than one grant in any competitive category.
  • Applicants can apply for one Heritage Fund Environmental Education and one Recreational Trails Program Safety and Education grant per year. 

   

  DEADLINE

  Pre-applications are due January 11, 2026 11:59pm

  Applications are due February 1, 2026 11:59pm

  Projects will be reviewed and scored by staff. Staff recommendations will then be forwarded to the Arizona State Committee on Trails (ASCOT), the Arizona Outdoor Recreation Coordinating Commission (AORCC), and the State Parks Board for review and approval. Do NOT start your project until you have received a fully signed agreement and Approval to Proceed.