The Coldwater Heritage Partnership (CHP) provides leadership, coordination, technical assistance, and funding to evaluate, conserve, and protect Pennsylvania’s coldwater streams.
CHP runs a mini-grant program that offers both planning and implementation grants. A few practices these grants have supported include:
- Conservation plans
- Stream habitat improvements
- Agricultural best management practices
- Riparian buffers
- Streambank stabilization
- Education and outreach
CHP’s mini-grant program is one of many mini-grant opportunities that DCNR supports. If you have a smaller recreation or conservation project that needs some funding, one of these programs might be a good fit for you.
Mini-grants have gotten even better in 2026. New this year, required match for many DCNR-funded mini-grants has decreased from dollar-for-dollar to 25 percent of the grant request. Check with the individual mini-grant opportunity to confirm if this option is available.
The Coldwater Heritage Partnership (CHP) provides two grant opportunities which help to protect and conserve the health of Pennsylvania’s cold-water ecosystems.
The two 18-month grant opportunities are:
Planning Grants – designed to help develop a conservation plan that identifies the threats to the health of local coldwater ecosystems that have naturally reproducing trout as well as the opportunities for habitat restoration and conservation within those watersheds. The information and analysis can be used as a catalyst for more comprehensive planning or for development of watershed improvement projects. The maximum amount awarded for a planning grant is $10,000.
Implementation Grants – designed to provide funding for projects recommended in a completed conservation plan or other approved plan such as a Rivers Conservation Plan. Proposed projects must enhance, conserve, or protect the coldwater stream for which a coldwater conservation plan or similar document was originally completed. The maximum amount awarded for an implementation grant is $25,000.
The Coldwater Heritage Partnership urges watershed associations, conservancies, conservation districts, municipalities, and local chapters of Trout Unlimited to apply.
Wondering what mini-grants exist in your area? Reach out to your DCNR regional advisor to discuss your project and see what mini-grants might work for you.
About the Coldwater Heritage Partnership
The Coldwater Heritage Partnership (CHP) is a collaborative effort between the Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds, and PA Fish & Boat Commission.
The purpose of the Coldwater Heritage Partnership (CHP) is to provide leadership, coordination, technical assistance, and funding support for the evaluation, conservation, and protection of Pennsylvania’s coldwater streams.
