The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is accepting proposals to be considered for federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grants.

Proposals must be for the acquisition or development of land for public outdoor recreation in Virginia.

“Grant awards will range from $250,000 to $500,000,” according to officials. “LWCF provides a 50-50 percent matching reimbursement program. Grant recipients must be able to fund 100 percent of their project while seeking periodic reimbursements.”

Counties, cities and towns, may apply. Applications are due no later than 4 p.m. on March 2.

Instructions on how to compete for funding, the LWCF application manual and the application are available at www.dcr.virginia.gov/recreational-planning/lwcf.

“The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 established a federal reimbursement program for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas,” officials said. “The LWCF is administered by DCR on behalf of the National Park Service. The program represents a federal, state and local partnership. A key feature of the program is that all LWCF-assisted areas must be maintained and opened, in perpetuity, as public outdoor recreation areas. This requirement ensures their use for future generations.”