LWCF Tribal Hub
Aerial view of an emerald river valley winding through deep evergreen forest
A Tribal Resource Hub

Tribal Access to the Land & Water Conservation Fund.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund has distributed billions in conservation grants since 1965.

In that time, Tribal Governments received less than one percent of total awards — a product of structural barriers that have kept one of the federal government's most significant conservation programs largely inaccessible to the governments that steward 2.3% of this country's lands and waters.

This Hub is a resource for Tribal Governments and staff navigating those barriers. It's not a federal website — it's a practical, Tribal-centered starting point with plain-language guidance, downloadable tools, recorded trainings, and direct pathways to free technical assistance.

Start with LWCF 101See Tribal stories
$4.5B+
Distributed since 1965
< 1%
Awarded to Tribes
2.3%
Lands stewarded by Tribes
EXPLORE Act 2024
Expanded ORLP access
Now live

Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP) — Recurring 5-Year Notice is now live.

Tribes can apply directly to the ORLP program to support the development of outdoor and recreational projects designed by Tribes to meet the needs of their communities.

Apply on Grants.gov — ORLP
Questions? Email the National Park Service

For more information, reach out to NPS directly — your inquiry will be routed to the correct staff.

ORLP: orlp_inquiries@nps.govRARI: RARI_Inquiries@nps.gov
HERE ARE A SERIES OF ORLP WEBINARS HOSTED BY THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND THAT YOU MAY FIND HELPFUL:
Promotional graphic for Unlock Federal Funding to Expand Outdoor Recreation Access: A Guide to the ORLP Program
June 10 · 2:00 PM ET

Unlock Federal Funding to Expand Outdoor Recreation Access: A Guide to the ORLP Program

Kicking off our ORLP webinar series, this first session introduces the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program and TPL's new technical assistance resources for prospective applicants through our partnership with the National Park Service. Participants will hear directly from the National Park Service on program goals, eligibility requirements, and what's new for 2026, including expanded opportunities for tribes and Indigenous communities. A case study presentation on Dream Keepers Park in Tulsa, Oklahoma will offer a real-world look at what a competitive ORLP application looks like. The session will close with an overview of TPL's full ORLP technical assistance program, including one-on-one application support, self-guided resources, and what to expect in the next webinar.

Register
June 24 · 2:00 PM ET

NEW Federal Funding for Tribal Lands: How to Apply to the ORLP Program

This session is designed specifically for federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and urban Indian organizations interested in pursuing federal funding for the acquisition of land and creation of outdoor recreation spaces through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program. Participants will hear from TPL's Ken Lucero and Faith Wells, joined by Maggie Carson of the National Park Service, on a historic change to the program: for the first time, federally recognized tribes are eligible to apply directly for ORLP funding. The session will cover what tribal and Indigenous entities need to know to pursue ORLP funding and how TPL's technical assistance program can support potential applicants in creating a competitive application, along with an extended Q&A.

Register
July 8 · 2:00 PM ET

Before You Apply: Laying the Groundwork for ORLP Success

Preparing a strong application for the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program starts well before writing begins. This session will walk participants through the foundational elements that position projects for success — from meeting state and federal eligibility requirements to building the partnerships, community support, and funding strategies needed to compete effectively. Speakers from the National Park Service and Trust for Public Land will break down pre-submission requirements, program priorities, and common challenges, with practical guidance on community engagement, match funding, and long-term project readiness. Participants will also explore real-world examples to better understand what makes projects successful and how these practices can apply to newly eligible tribal and Indigenous communities.

Register
July 29 · 2:00 PM ET

Step by Step: How to Write a Competitive ORLP Application

Ready to turn your outdoor recreation project into a compelling ORLP application? This session provides a step-by-step overview of how to create a strong application. Participants will gain a clear understanding of application requirements, scoring criteria, and how to effectively present their project's strengths. Through case studies and practical examples, speakers will demonstrate what distinguishes successful applications and how to apply those best practices to your own proposal.

Register
The picture in numbers

The gap that this Hub exists to close.

Tribal Governments steward 2.3% of US lands and waters, yet have received less than one percent of LWCF awards since 1965.

Read the Great American Outdoors Act (P.L. 116-152)
State Assistance Program · 1965–2019

How LWCF dollars have been awarded

The LWCF State Assistance Program allocated $4.5 billion (1965–2019) to state, local, and Tribal governments for the acquisition, development, and planning of outdoor recreation lands. Tribal awards totaled $4.5 million, accounting for only 0.1 percent of grant funding awarded.

99%+
States, local governments, NGOs
< 1%
Tribal Governments — across 60+ years
Four ways in

Find what you need — in the way you need it.

Whether you're new to LWCF, preparing an application, looking for training, or learning from other Tribal Governments' experiences — start wherever fits your work today.

What's changing

Things are moving quickly on LWCF access for Tribal Governments.

Here's what to know.

PERMANENT CHANGEDec 2024

The EXPLORE Act

Expanded direct eligibility for Tribal Governments under the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP), one of LWCF's competitive grant programs, regardless of population size. The expansion also includes Alaska Native corporations and Native Hawaiian community organizations.

ORLP is currently paused by the National Park Service pending program review, but the eligibility change is permanent. When ORLP reopens, Tribal Governments can apply directly — a significant shift from prior rules.

Read H.R. 6492
PROPOSED · NOT CURRENTLY IN PLAYFY24 – FY25

BIA Tribal LWCF Land Acquisition Program

A proposed first-ever Bureau of Indian Affairs program that would allow Tribal Governments to acquire lands and easements for natural and cultural resource conservation — with direct access, no state intermediary, and no matching requirement.

Proposed in the FY2024 and FY2025 Biden budgets. The current Administration has not included this proposal in either their FY26 or FY27 budgets, and Congress has not advanced it. It is not expected to be in play in the near term, but advocacy continues.

$12M
FY24 proposed
$8M
FY25 proposed
Tracking program status
ACTIVE VOLATILITYOngoing

Federal budget volatility is real

The current administration has proposed redirecting a significant portion of LWCF federal land acquisition funding. The stateside programs that Tribal Governments access most directly remain intact, but the landscape is shifting.

This Hub is updated as conditions change — sign up below to stay connected.

NPS LWCF program
Stay connected

This Hub is updated as conditions change. Sign up to get notified when policy shifts, programs reopen, or new trainings are scheduled.

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Federal agencies

Where LWCF lives across the federal government.

LWCF is administered across multiple agencies. Each handles a different slice of the program — direct links below.

About this Hub

A starting point. A connection point.

This Hub was built by Against the Current Consulting for The Wilderness Society's Native Lands Partnerships program, in coordination with the National Park Service, the Trust for Public Land, National Assoc. of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (NATHPO), and other partners working to expand Tribal access to LWCF. It is part of a family of Tribal Hubs developed with the same approach: useful not just because they exist, but because of the engagement, webinars, and relationships built around them.

This Hub is designed to work the same way: as a starting point and a connection point, not a final destination. If you can't find what you need here, we want to hear from you.

Trust for Public Land
Free direct technical assistance to Tribal Governments.
National Park Service
Program contacts and state LWCF liaisons.
National Assoc. of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (NATHPO)
Supporting Tribal Historic Preservation Officers nationally.
The Wilderness Society
Native Lands Partnerships program.