The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is pleased to announce the Green Acres Program.
Donor Name: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)
State: New Jersey
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 02/27/2026
Size of the Grant: Not Available
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
The Green Acres Program has funded the acquisition of open space for recreation and conservation purposes, and the development of outdoor recreational facilities. Green Acres remains committed to preserving New Jersey’s natural, historic, and recreational resources statewide and is pleased to continue the tradition of partnering with local and county governments and nonprofit organizations to serve New Jersey residents.
Funding Categories
- Planning Incentive Acquisition
- Site-Specific Incentive Acquisition
- Standard Acquisition
- Urban Aid Acquisition
- Acquisition Project Located in an Overburdened Community Subject to Adverse Cumulative Stressors
- Nonprofit Acquisition
Project Period
To ensure project success, applicants should not take on more than they can complete within the two-year project period.
Eligible Projects
Eligible land acquisition projects are those that result in the acquisition of land for outdoor recreation and/or conservation purposes, including, but not limited to, the purchase of forests, natural areas, linear parkland for trails, historic sites, conservation areas, water bodies, and open space for active or passive recreation purposes. Any existing structures on an acquisition site must either be used in direct support of outdoor recreation, or demolished to create open space, provided that the DEP’s Historic Preservation Office determines the structures do not have historic significance.
Eligible Project Sites
Applicants may apply to acquire any property with clear title, except property that:
- is identified by a municipality or otherwise designated for future use in meeting municipal fair share low- and moderate-income housing obligations under the Fair Housing Act of 1985 (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-301)
- is designated as a road right-of-way
- is listed on a Recreation and Open Space Inventory (ROSI)
- is permanently preserved, as determined by the Department
- is claimed as state-owned tidelands
- contains a non-historic structure that the applicant does not anticipate demolishing or using in support of outdoor recreation
Eligibility Criteria
- Local Governments – County and municipal governments are eligible to apply for funding. School boards, housing and utility authorities, and other similar agencies without primary recreation and conservation responsibilities are not eligible.
- Nonprofit Organizations – Nonprofits that meet the requirements set out in the Nonprofit Eligibility Certification form are eligible to apply for funding. The certification form must be signed by the nonprofit’s chief executive officer or state director and its attorney, and the form and attachments must be submitted with the application.
For more information, visit NJDEP.
