Grant Details

Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) is a State of Iowa program that invests in, as its name implies, the enhancement and protection of the state's natural and cultural resources. Iowa is blessed with a diverse array of natural and cultural resources, and REAP is likewise diverse and far reaching.

REAP provides money for projects in the form of grants in the following categories:

• City Parks and Open Space - This money is available to cities through competitive grants. Parkland expansion and multi-purpose recreation developments are typical projects funded under this REAP program.
• County Conservation - This money is available to counties, only if they are dedicating at least 22¢ per $1,000 of the assessed value of taxable property in the county for county conservation purposes, through competitive grants. This money is available to counties for land easements or acquisition, capital improvements, stabilization and protection of resources, and environmental education, etc. 
• Conservation Education Program (CEP) - This money is available to grantees for programs that teach people of all ages about their environment and how to make intelligent, informed decisions about its well-being.
• Private/Public Open Space Acquisition - This money is available for cost-share land acquisitions with private organizations. The DNR owns and manages the property that is jointly purchased.
• Historical Resource Development Program - Grants are available to private individuals and businesses, as well as to non-profit organizations and agencies of Certified Local Governments.
• Roadside Vegetation - This money is available for state, county, and city management of roadside vegetation. The establishment of attractive gateways into cities is also becoming a popular use for this money.
• Soil and Water Enhancement - These funds are available to landowners for soil and water conservation and enhancement projects and practices. Project money is directed towards protecting the state's surface and ground water resources from point and non-point sources of contamination.