The Coldwater Heritage Partnership (CHP) Grant Program is a collaborative initiative between the Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited (PATU), the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds, and the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC). Its primary mission is to provide leadership, coordination, technical assistance, and financial support for the conservation and protection of Pennsylvania’s coldwater streams. These streams, which make up only 30% of the state’s 86,000 miles of waterways, are critical habitats for naturally reproducing wild trout. The CHP grant program aims to ensure the long-term health of these ecosystems through planning and implementation projects.

The program offers two distinct grant opportunities: Planning Grants and Implementation Grants. Planning Grants, with a maximum award of $10,000, assist organizations in developing conservation plans that identify threats to coldwater ecosystems and propose opportunities for habitat restoration and conservation. These plans serve as a foundation for broader watershed improvement efforts. Implementation Grants, which provide up to $25,000, support projects that enhance, conserve, or protect coldwater streams based on recommendations from completed conservation plans or other approved documents, such as Rivers Conservation Plans.

Funding for the CHP grants is provided through multiple sources, including state agencies and nonprofit environmental organizations. A new funding source has been introduced for conservation projects in eighteen counties impacted by the Mariner East 2 and Revolution pipeline construction projects. This additional funding is made available through a grant from the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General (OAG), stemming from settlement agreements in legal cases against ETC Northeast Pipeline, LLC, and Sunoco Pipeline, L.P.

Eligible applicants include watershed associations, conservancies, conservation districts, municipalities, and local Trout Unlimited chapters. Organizations applying for Planning Grants must demonstrate their capacity to assess watershed health and develop actionable conservation strategies. Implementation Grant applicants must have a completed conservation plan or similar document that outlines specific projects aimed at protecting coldwater ecosystems.

To apply, organizations must submit a detailed application outlining their proposed project, including objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and budget details. The application process also requires supporting documentation, such as proof of eligibility, evidence of prior planning efforts (for Implementation Grants), and project timelines. Additional information about submission requirements, deadlines, and application materials can be found on the CHP website.

Grant applications are reviewed based on criteria including project feasibility, alignment with CHP’s conservation goals, and potential environmental impact. Preference may be given to projects that protect high-priority coldwater habitats and those that involve partnerships with local conservation stakeholders. Successful applicants will receive funding for an 18-month project period to complete their proposed activities.