County accepting Natural and Cultural Heritage grant applications

The Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council is accepting applications for the 2026 Natural and Cultural Heritage Grant Program. Up to $250,000 is available, with individual awards of as much as $60,000. The Board of County Commissioners allocated funding for the program as part of the county’s annual budget.

The council encourages applications for community projects focused on cultural heritage, natural heritage or historic preservation. All projects must take place in Douglas County and be completed within two years.

The program includes two grant categories:

• Seed grants. Updated this year, these grants support smaller-scale projects such as events, curriculum or material development, signage or planning efforts. Seed grants require a shorter application process and provide up to $5,000. A total of $40,000 is available.
• Target grants. These grants support projects expected to have a significant and lasting impact on the conservation of the county’s natural and cultural resources. Awards are available up to $60,000, with a total of $210,000 in funding.

“This funding is an opportunity for people across Douglas County to take action on projects they care about,” Ammerlaan said. “We encourage anyone with an idea that supports our natural or cultural heritage to reach out and apply.”

There will be an information session from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, at the Douglas County Public Works and Zoning and Codes Building, 3755 E. 25th St. Anyone interested in learning more about the program is welcome to attend.

Grant guidelines and the application are available at dgcoks.gov/hcc. Applications are due by 5 p.m. March 5. Applicants must discuss their project with Heritage Conservation Coordinator Kaitlyn Ammerlaan by Feb. 20 before submitting an application.

The Heritage Conservation Council will review proposals and make funding recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners in April.

Since the program launched in 2011, Douglas County has awarded more than $3.2 million to over 130 projects. Past projects include renovations of the Eudora Community Museum, inventory of high-quality prairies, an interactive exhibit at Watkins Museum of History and ecological restoration at Lawrence Riverfront Park. A story map of past projects is available at http://dgcoks.gov/hcc/grantmap.

“These grants create lasting benefits for our community,” Ammerlaan said. “Thanks to the Commission’s support, we’re able to help fund projects that strengthen our sense of place and protect important resources for future generations.”