Grant funding available for Douglas County projects on cultural and natural heritage, historic preservation

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Douglas County community members have an opportunity to earn grant funding for projects that highlight cultural or natural heritage or preserve historic sites.

The Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council (HCC) has up to $210,000 available through the 2025 Natural and Cultural Heritage Grant Program, according to a county news release. Award amounts range from $5,000 to $75,000 per project.

Projects should focus on cultural heritage, natural heritage or historic preservation, according to the release. All must take place within the county and be completed within two years.

According to the release, projects the HCC will prioritize for consideration center at least one of the following categories:

Inclusive and creative storytelling of heritage: Elevating under-told stories or narratives of BIPOC, immigrants or refugees, LGBTQ+ or other marginalized communities. Projects led by people with lived experience and marginalized identities will be prioritized;
• Conservation and restoration of native ecosystems: Conserve or restore prairie, woodlands, wetlands, waterways and other ecosystem types;
• Enhancement of agricultural heritage: Preserve and promote the viability of working farms and promote agritourism or public access to heritage farms;
• Accessibility and visibility of important natural and cultural sites: Protect, build or maintain recreational trails. As appropriate, provide increased access to and/or education about historic sites, including cemeteries; and
• Strategic preservation of historic resources: Promote the listing of significant historic structures and districts to the national or state Register of Historic Places, promote the adaptive reuse of historic structures, and promote the conservation of designated structures, districts and landscapes.”

Projects in 2024 were focused on cultural, natural, agricultural or environmental resource conservation. Native Lands Restoration Collaborative, Plymouth Congregational Church and Prairie City Cemetery Association were among the award winners.

Each applicant this year is required to discuss their project with Heritage Conservation Coordinator Kaitlyn Ammerlaan by Friday, Feb. 21.

Application submissions are then due by 5 p.m. Thursday, March 6. The HCC will make recommendations for funding to the Douglas County Commission in April.

Those interested in learning more or asking questions about the grant are welcome to attend an optional info meeting scheduled for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23 at the Douglas County Public Works Building, 3755 E. 25th St. in Lawrence. 

Review the grant guidelines and fill out an application on the county’s website, dgcoks.gov.

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