Pennsylvania’s Conservation Districts (PACD) Lawn Conversion and Riparian Buffer Mini-Grant program encourages applicants to apply for funding to convert mowed/maintained lawns to native upland forests or meadows or install riparian forest buffers.
This grant is first-come, first-served, and requires a 50/50 match.
This grant is first-come, first-served, and requires a 50/50 match.
Lawn Conversion Grant
Lawn Conversion Funding is to be used for shovel-ready projects that convert presently maintained lawns to actively managed upland forests or perennial native meadows.
Meadow Establishments:
Meadow Establishments are primarily implemented outside of the riparian area (300 ft or further away from a waterbody).
Upland Forest Plantings:
Upland forest plantings are always implemented outside of the riparian area; plantings 300 ft or closer to a waterbody are considered riparian forest buffers and must complete a different application.
Conditions:
A Written Planting Plan:
A written planting plan is required before using any grant funds. The plan must include the following:
Before beginning a lawn conversion project, please review the following list of invasive species. Please note this list is not all-inclusive. If these are in abundance (greater than 10% within a project area), the landowner should get them under control before starting a lawn conversion project. Invasive species are difficult to control once you start establishing an herbaceous plant community:
Japanese Stiltgrass, Arthraxon, Wavyleaf Basketgrass, Oriental Bittersweet, Canada Thistle, Japanese Barberry, Dame’s Rocket, Mile-a-Minute vine, Reed Canary Grass, Japanese Knotweed, Ailanthus, any woody invasive plant (bush honeysuckle, privet, multiflora rose, etc).
Meadow Establishments:
Meadow Establishments are primarily implemented outside of the riparian area (300 ft or further away from a waterbody).
Upland Forest Plantings:
Upland forest plantings are always implemented outside of the riparian area; plantings 300 ft or closer to a waterbody are considered riparian forest buffers and must complete a different application.
Conditions:
- Eligible project sites must occur on presently maintained lawn.
- A lawn is an area of maintained grass making up a yard on a residential, commercial, school, or other property, and is presently mowed at 8” high or shorter.
- Projects may be implemented on public or private lands.
- Ineligible land uses include, but are not limited to pasture, hay field, cropland, un-mowed “Let go” lawn, abandoned mine land, natural areas with greater than 60% existing canopy when planting forest, and project areas with high invasive plant pressure.
A Written Planting Plan:
A written planting plan is required before using any grant funds. The plan must include the following:
- Layout plan of the site
- Details on soils and site preparation
- Lawn conversion acreage
- Upland forest and meadow species
- Size, and spacing
- Specific materials and planting methods
- Seedling protection
- Any other details, photos, or specifications necessary to adequately explain the project design
- A written maintenance plan including:
- Details regarding post-planting establishment activities (1-3 years), such as invasive species control and herbicide use, and long-term maintenance (3+ years) to meet the grant requirement of ensuring the project’s continuance for at least 5-10 years.
- The target survival rate should be at least 70%.
- The plan shall also include who will perform the activities and what is expected of the landowner.
Before beginning a lawn conversion project, please review the following list of invasive species. Please note this list is not all-inclusive. If these are in abundance (greater than 10% within a project area), the landowner should get them under control before starting a lawn conversion project. Invasive species are difficult to control once you start establishing an herbaceous plant community:
Japanese Stiltgrass, Arthraxon, Wavyleaf Basketgrass, Oriental Bittersweet, Canada Thistle, Japanese Barberry, Dame’s Rocket, Mile-a-Minute vine, Reed Canary Grass, Japanese Knotweed, Ailanthus, any woody invasive plant (bush honeysuckle, privet, multiflora rose, etc).
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Please contact Watershed Specialist, Jillian Pagnotti at 570-782-2105 or email [email protected] with any questions.
Please contact Watershed Specialist, Jillian Pagnotti at 570-782-2105 or email [email protected] with any questions.
Riparian Buffer Grant
A multifunctional riparian buffer is a riparian forest buffer that provides opportunities for harvesting products such as nuts, berries, woody florals, forbs, and potentially woody biomass.
Conditions:
- Inputs such as fertilizer or manure would not be permitted
- Harvesting is not permitted in the first 15 feet of the buffer from the edge of the streambank
- An overall minimum width of 35 feet is recommended
A Written Planting Plan:
A written planting plan is required before using any grant funds. The plan must include the following:
- Layout plan of the site
- Details on soils and site preparation
- Buffer width and length
- Tree/shrub species, size, and spacing
- Specific materials and planting methods
- Seedling protection
- Must be reviewed and signed by a DCNR Service Forester and submitted before using any grant funds.
- Any other details, photos, or specifications necessary to adequately explain the buffer design.
- A written maintenance plan including:
- Details regarding post-planting establishment activities (1-3 years), such as invasive species control and herbicide use; and long-term maintenance (3+ years) to meet the grant requirement of ensuring the buffer’s continuance for at least 25 years.
- The target survival rate should be at least 70%.
- The plan shall also include who will perform the activities and what is expected of the landowner.
If you are interested in the PACD Lawn Conversion and Riparian Buffer Mini-Grant Program, contact SCCD Watershed Specialist, Jillian Pagnotti to schedule a site visit: [email protected], 570-782-2105.
