Pre-Application to Propose Land for State Acquisition
Mission Statement
Pre-Application
Please mail or fax completed form to the department by September 3, 2007
(left-right) State Rep. Jere Hargrove, State Rep. Charles Curtiss, State Rep. Mike McDonald, State Sen. Charlotte Burks and Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke joined Governor Phil Bredesen as he signed the Tennessee Heritage Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2005 on September 15, 2005 at Burgess Falls State Natural Area.
The Heritage Conservation Trust Fund provides a mechanism for the state to work with other public and private partners for the conservation and protection of priority tracts across Tennessee. “It’s personally important to me to preserve land for the future of our state and the people of Tennessee,” said Governor Bredesen. “Once it’s gone, we can never go back to the wild spaces that are so much a part of Tennessee’s landscape. The Heritage Conservation Trust Fund allows us to leverage our resources by partnering with other public and private groups who are seeking to achieve the same goals.”
The Tennessee Heritage Conservation Trust Fund was established in June, 2005, to assist the state in permanently conserving and preserving tracts of land within the state of Tennessee for the purposes of promoting tourism and recreation, including outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, equestrian activities and hiking; protecting, conserving and restoring the state’s physical, cultural, archeological, historical and environmental resources; and preserving working landscapes.
Projects that involve partnerships, extensive leveraging of funds and those that enhance or connect to existing conservation lands will receive greater consideration for funding.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
A) USE OF THIS PRE-APPLICATION
Applicants interested in acquiring undeveloped open spaces or natural areas that will enable the state to permanently preserve some of Tennessee’s natural heritage may submit the Heritage Conservation Trust Fund Pre-application.
Your response to Items 1-9 in the Pre-application will be used to evaluate the proposed project to determine priority level and eligibility for the full application phase. You will be notified by letter if your Pre-application is approved, along with instructions for completing a full application package.
Who can apply? Applications are accepted from educational, governmental, nonprofit land and water conservation organizations and municipal/county governments. Private landowners are encouraged to partner with one of the above applicants on their proposals.
B) COMPLETING THE PRE-APPLICATION
1. The applicant must fully complete all nine areas of the Pre-application and attach to it all of the required information and documentation.
2. Applicant must check the appropriate bi-annual application cycle in Section 1. Deadline to receive pre-applications for the June 1 funding cycle is: March 1; deadline to receive pre-applications for the December 1 funding cycle is: September 3. ( Note: you may submit the pre-application at anytime during the year; however, the application will not be reviewed/scored until the appropriate funding cycle date)
3. Note: If available, attach the required maps of the proposed property to be considered. This information will be critical when reviewing the proposal.
4. Leveraging of funds – indicate other funding sources in Section 5. It will be important to show how this project will leverage or match other dollars for public benefit.
