This site has been developed to inform the citizens of the Commonwealth of the several land preservation programs which the Division of Conservation Services provides to landowners, municipalities and land trusts.

DCS awards grants to municipalities for the following:

• Conservation land acquisition
• Parkland acquisition
• Park development and/or renovation.

Another indispensable preservation tool for communities, nonprofits and landowners is the Conservation Restriction developed with guidance from DCS.

The Division also works with the federal USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and 14 conservation districts to provide technical assistance to farmers and public land agencies on sediment and erosion control. And finally, DCS celebrates each May by co-hosting the statewide Envirothon competition for high school students.

Since 1964, the Division of Conservation Services has been providing technical and financial assistance to farmers as well as public and private land owners in matters dealing with farm plans or sediment and erosion control. DCS awards grants to municipalities for conservation and park land acquisition and construction. DCS also provides assistance with the development of open space and recreation plans, and to municipalities, land trusts, and private land owners regarding approval of conservation restrictions.

Partnerships with Nonprofit Organizations:
Non-profit organizations are often critical to the success of land preservation projects. These organizations may provide technical assistance to cities and towns by writing grant applications or in negotiations with landowners. They may also help financially by paying for appraisal reports or preliminary design work, fundraising for the local share of the project, or purchasing and holding the land until the community is ready to proceed. The Conservation Partnership Program is a grant program that provides reimbursements to non-profit organization of up to 50% of the cost of acquiring land or interest in land for conservation or outdoor recreation purposes.