National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (15.962)
National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (Assistance Listing 15.962) is run by the National Park Service, part of the Department of the Interior. It awarded $18.6 million in 38 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $489,898 per award on average. No funding opportunity is open on Grants.gov right now.
The typical award was $420,000. Half of the 38 awards fell between $311,250 and $630,000, and they ranged from $15,000 to $1.7 million.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$18.6 million
- Grant awards38
- Typical award$420,000
- Awarded in FY 2025$4.0 million
- Size rank1336 of 1824
- Type of assistanceCooperative agreements
Key findings
- Annual funding rose from $2.9 million in fiscal 2021 to $4.0 million in fiscal 2025.
- It is the 1336th largest of 1,824 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 96% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 12 states and territories.
What the program funds
The objectives of this program are to assist, advise, and cooperate with States or their political subdivisions, landowners, private organizations, other federal agencies or authorized wild and scenic river management councils or committees to plan, protect, and manage river resources associated with those rivers designated into the National Wild and Scenic River system for which the Department of the Interior is authorized to act as the federal administrator.
Open opportunities
No opportunity under this program is open or forecast on Grants.gov right now. Programs often post once a year, so the funding history below shows what to expect.
Rules from the program listing
Who can apply
States or their political subdivisions, landowners, private non-profit organizations, or duly authorized by a river’s enabling legislation wild and scenic river management councils or committees.
What the money can and cannot pay for
At present, funding provides for the long term protection, preservation, and enhancement of designated Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers and to implement each river’s comprehensive river management plan and enabling legislation. Congress funds a named group of Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers. Each river’s authorizing legislation and river management plan (CRMP) define the purpose of agreements as CRMP implementation. Management Councils approve the agreement scope and Financial Assistance partners for each river.;
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Award range and average, in the agency's words
Range: $20,000.00 - $1,000,000.00 Average: $300,000.00
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal Year2025: 1) Protecting Wild and Scenic Rivers - Funding supports the implementation of river management plans that preserve the natural, cultural, and recreational values of designated wild and scenic rivers. This includes monitoring local land use, reviewing ordinances, and ensuring compliance with conservation goals. 2) Supporting Local and Regional Partnerships - Funding enables collaboration between nonprofit organizations, local governments, and federal agencies to manage river corridors. These partnerships help coordinate planning, enforcement, and public engagement efforts. 3) Advancing Conservation and Public Access - Projects include land protection, invasive species management, historical site surveys, and improvements to river access points. These efforts enhance ecological health, preserve heritage, and expand recreational opportunities for the public.Fiscal Year2026: Communities and partner organizations are working together to protect a nationally significant river corridor, preserving its natural scenery, wildlife habitat, and public access so future generations can continue to enjoy and explore the river. Local committees are implementing river management plans that safeguard ecological, scenic, and recreational values. This includes reviewing development proposals and community plans to ensure growth aligns with long?term conservation goals.
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (15.962) awarded$18.6 million across 38 grant awards, an average of $489,898 per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farmington River Watershed Association, Inc. | Connecticut | 2 | $2.0 million |
| Upper Delaware Council Inc | New York | 2 | $1.5 million |
| Lamprey River Watershed Association Inc | New Hampshire | 2 | $1.0 million |
| Lyme Land Conservation Trust, Inc. | Connecticut | 2 | $1.0 million |
| Great Egg Harbor Watershed Association | New Jersey | 2 | $1.0 million |
| Citizens United to Protect | New Jersey | 2 | $1.0 million |
| Nashua River Watershed Association Inc | Massachusetts | 2 | $1.0 million |
| White Clay Watershed Association | Pennsylvania | 2 | $1.0 million |
| Musconetcong Watershed Association, a Non-Profit Corporation | New Jersey | 2 | $1.0 million |
| Sudbury Valley Trustees, Inc. | Massachusetts | 2 | $1.0 million |
| Missisquoi River Basin Association, Inc. | Vermont | 2 | $1.0 million |
| Friends of the Wekiva River, Incorporated | Florida | 1 | $969,600 |
| Taunton River Watershed Alliance, Inc. | Massachusetts | 1 | $840,000 |
| Delaware River Greenway Partnership, Inc. | Pennsylvania | 2 | $695,842 |
| Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association | Rhode Island | 1 | $584,962 |
| Westfield State University | Massachusetts | 1 | $521,662 |
| Northwest Hills Council of Governments | Connecticut | 1 | $450,000 |
| Wells National Estuarine Research Reserv | Maine | 1 | $450,000 |
| The Westerly Land Trust | Rhode Island | 1 | $420,000 |
| Westfield River Watershed Association, Inc. | Massachusetts | 1 | $420,000 |
Who usually wins
Nonprofits received 87% of the money, state and local governments 4.8% and colleges and universities 2.8%.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonprofits | 31 | $16.2 million | 87% |
| Other | 4 | $1.0 million | 5.6% |
| State and local governments | 2 | $900,000 | 4.8% |
| Colleges and universities | 1 | $521,662 | 2.8% |
By state
8 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 8 | $4.0 million |
| Connecticut | 5 | $3.5 million |
| New Jersey | 8 | $3.3 million |
| Pennsylvania | 4 | $1.7 million |
| New York | 2 | $1.5 million |
| New Hampshire | 2 | $1.0 million |
| Vermont | 2 | $1.0 million |
| Rhode Island | 2 | $1.0 million |
| Florida | 1 | $969,600 |
| Maine | 1 | $450,000 |
| District of Columbia | 2 | $114,903 |
| Maryland | 1 | $90,000 |