Phoenix, AZ – Arizona State Parks will conduct a grant workshop about the Growing Smarter grant application process. The workshop will take place at the Arizona State Parks Board Room, 1300 West Washington, in Phoenix, on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at 10 a.m. The application deadline is June 28, 2013.
The passage of Proposition 303 on November 3, 1998 established an annual $20 million appropriation by the Arizona State Legislature from the General Fund to the Land Conservation Fund. This annual appropriation began in FY 2001 and ended in FY 2011. With the passage of Senate Bill 1071 in 2003, State Parks annually transferred $2 million to the Livestock and Crop Conservation Fund administered by the Department of Agriculture. As a result, an $18 million annual appropriation was available for the Growing Smarter grant program through FY 2011. Beginning FY 2012 only remaining unexpended funds are available for grant awards.
Political subdivisions of the state and non-profit organizations created with the purpose of preserving open space can all apply for these monies. The remaining funds available for distribution for this grant cycle is approximately $16 million. These funds are used to assist eligible applicants in purchasing or leasing State Trust land that has been reclassified for conservation.
This instructional session is designed to provide attendees with a clear understanding of how to complete a Growing Smarter State Trust Land Acquisition Grant application. Program requirements and procedures are discussed at the workshop, along with rating criteria and the grant scoring and award process. Applications for Fiscal Year 2013 Growing Smarter State Trust Land Acquisition grants are available on the Arizona State Parks website.
For more information regarding the workshop or grant programs, please contact Arizona State Parks at (602) 542-4174 or visit azstateparks.com.
For information about all 27 Arizona State Parks, the Trails and Off-Highway Vehicle Programs and State Historic Preservation Office call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703), visit the website and online camping reservations at AZStateParks.com, Twitter/Facebook AZStateParks.