Louisiana doubles money available to nonprofits for conservation work

Louisiana has doubled the state money available for nonprofit groups to preserve and restore public lands of historic, environmental or recreational importance. 

Louisiana Outdoors Forever was allotted $2 million by the state legislature for the 2027 grant application cycle, which starts this week. That’s up from $1.07 million in 2026 and the largest amount set aside for the program since it began in 2022. 

The most recent grants have funded the restoration of longleaf pine forest ecosystems in Bogue Chitto and Fontainebleau state parks, a flood and salinity control structure in Cameron Parish and land preservation in Chalmette near the historic Battle of New Orleans site. 

An advisory board ranks and selects projects based on need and other factors such as the opportunity for economic development and timely completion. The chosen organizations provide matching funds and spearhead the project.

The board that selects projects is made up of designees from the governor, lieutenant governor, the agriculture and forestry commissioner, and Department of Environmental Quality secretary. 

The pre-application period for grant funding began Monday. Official applications from those approved to apply are due starting Oct. 7 and are accepted until Jan. 7, 2027. Winners will be announced in February.