In support of land trusts and conservation partners, The Nature Conservancy launches third year of grant program across Appalachian states

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global environmental nonprofit using science to protect the lands and waters on which all life depends. To further its impact, the organization launched a multi-million-dollar grant program across Appalachian states to assist partners in protecting the lands and waters most important for nature and people. The application process is now open to fund more projects in 2026.

The Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Program provides funding for nonprofit organizations, municipalities and other partners to engage in conservation efforts in the Appalachians—a center of climate resilience and a critical migration corridor for wildlife. The Program, launched in 2023, offers grants of up to $100,000 to support projects that result in the permanent protection of resilient and connected lands in key areas of the Appalachians. The program area includes all or portions of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama.

“We are living in a pivotal moment—a defining decade to confront the urgent challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, and to shape the future we aspire to,” said Heather Furman, Appalachians Director for TNC. “Through this grant program, we aim to accelerate vital efforts across the region, build lasting connections and preserve and protect important and critical lands.”

Conserving resilient and connected lands provides benefits to local people and communities, and the grant program aims to support like-minded organizations to accomplish similar goals. The community benefits that result from project funding will enable a broad cross-section of people and communities to cope with the effects of climate change and provide spaces for enhanced community well-being.

Earlier this year, grants were awarded to 14 organizations in 11 states to support the acquisition of over 17,000 acres, giving more than $1 million in privately-raised funds to communities, nonprofits, land trusts, Indigenous tribes and other partners working to protect forested land, waterways, mountains and natural habitats in the Appalachians region, a vital and vast corridor for wildlife migration, climate resilience and overall ecological protection. In total, the RCA Grant Program has provided $2.3 million to help protect over 27,000 acres since 2023. This will be its third year of funding.

The Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Program is part of the larger Connectivity, Climate and Communities Fund, which also includes the New York Climate Resilience Grant Program. The Fund’s overall areas of focus include:

• Connectivity: Creating a connected network of resilient lands and waters—a biodiversity superhighway enabling plants and animals to adapt to a changing climate.
• Climate: Protecting and managing forests that store significant amounts of carbon, accelerating the transition to well-sited renewable energy and helping communities to adapt and mitigate impacts from flooding.
• Communities: Supporting resilient communities and sustainable livelihoods and strong connections to their natural landscapes.

“Through these efforts, we have the opportunity to protect essential habitats, cut greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen climate resilience and create new pathways for jobs and outdoor recreation,” said Furman. “By working together, we can shape a future where people, wildlife, and ecosystems have the space and freedom to adapt and flourish in a rapidly changing world.”

For more information about eligibility and guidelines, visit the website.