Hawaiʻi legacy land conservation program seeking applicants for grants

The Legacy Land Conservation Program run by the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources is seeking applications for $6.7 million in grant funds for fiscal year 2026.

Applicants can be nonprofit land conservation organizations, as well as state and county agencies.

The grants are aimed to preserve and protect land, through acquisition, that has natural, environmental, recreational, scenic, cultural, agricultural production or historic value. This includes park and trail systems that provide access to such land.

Grants are awarded through a competitive process that includes consultation with state agencies and legislators, investigations and recommendations from the state Legacy Land Conservation Commission, with approvals from the Board of Land and Natural Resources and the Governor.

Since 2006, the Legacy Land Conservation Program has facilitated contributions of more than $65 million from the State Land Conservation Fund to help conserve 32,000 acres on more than 50 properties. These acquisitions protect Hawaiʻi’s precious and irreplaceable resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

For detailed information, visit the program website at or contact the program office via email: legacyland@hawaii.gov or telephone: 808-586-0921. The application deadline is Oct. 13.