Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund

The Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund (OHCF) protects lands that host West Virginia’s wild and wonderful natural resources. The OHCF’s work is guided by an 11-member Board of Trustees, drawn from land trusts; the Division of Forestry; the Division of Natural Resources; outdoor recreation and sportsmen’s groups; and the professions of biology, ecology, forestry, and public health. This mix of interests represents our state’s diverse citizens and regions. The OHCF’s land-protection projects can include important wildlife habitats, working forests and farmlands, as well as hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreational areas. The OHCF is working to protect the best of our natural resources for all West Virginians.

The West Virginia Legislature created the Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund to invest in the conservation of unique and important wildlife habitats, natural areas, forest lands, farmlands, and lands for hunting, fishing and recreation. The fund is used to acquire interest in real property for conservation in keeping with the Wildlife Conservation Action Plan or other conservation plans and to award competitive grants for conservation purposes to eligible recipients.

OHCF 2024 Grant Round

The West Virginia Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund is accepting grant applications for land-protection projects, such as important wildlife habitats, working forests and farmlands, as well as hunting, fishing and outdoor recreational areas. Grant applications will be accepted through October 31, 2024.

Applications for large and small grants will be accepted. Large grants are those totaling more than $25,000. Up to $400,000 may be awarded in total, including $50,000 reserved for small grants. Please, be sure to use the Eligibility Assessment to determine if your project qualifies for funding, review the Technical Assistance Manual for grant program and application details and complete the Grant Application.

OHCF Grant Program