The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is now accepting grant applications for its Canoe Access Development Fund grants, which supports projects that will improve canoe and kayak access to Western Pennsylvania’s waterways.

Applications due November 17.  Grant recipients will be notified by December 15.

The Conservancy’s CADF provides technical assistance and grants of up to $5,000 for the construction and enhancement of canoe and kayak access locations.

Founded in 2008 by Conservancy donors and outdoor enthusiasts Roy Weil and Mary Shaw, CADF provides grants to watershed organizations and other community groups to make the region’s rivers and streams more accessible for outdoor recreation by developing and improving access sites for canoeists, kayakers and anglers.

Grant funding could be used to stabilize access areas to rivers or streams, add nearby parking areas, purchase riverside access or for other improvements.

The Conservancy has funded 103 canoe access site projects along 40 different waterways in 25 counties in the region. Previously funded canoe access sites that have successfully completed their 10-year commitment are eligible to reapply for another grant.

An interactive map on the WPC website allows users to explore some of the region’s WPC-funded access sites.

Our most recent awardees include Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County for the Mill Run Reservoir access on Indian Creek and Sewickley Creek Watershed Association for improvements to New Stanton Park access on Sewickley Creek.

Debby Yeager, whose family owns Rose Point Park - Cabins & Camping in New Castle, said a location on their property just above McConnells Mill State Park has long been a popular launch spot for white water boaters.

“The access was a steep, slippery slope, difficult to navigate, in need of improvement and a definite safety hazard,” she says. As a for-profit business, Rose Point Park needed to partner with a nonprofit organization to be eligible for WPC’s CADF grant. “WPC introduced us to the folks at Wild Water Conservancy,” which had done similar projects with WPC.

“We have received a strong outpouring of praise and appreciation from the folks who use the access ramp, which was dedicated June 1,” Debby says, noting that the local paddling community, the Lawrence County Commissioners and Rose Point Park donated additional funds.

“It has been a pleasure to work with the Conservancy. This is the first grant I have ever applied for. It was truly a learning experience!”

Kelly Horrell, WPC watershed conservation program administrator, says the fund helps create safe accessibility along our rivers and streams, providing opportunities for people of all ages to explore the natural world by getting on the water.

“Kayaking and canoeing is an immersive way to connect with nature and explore Pennsylvania’s waterways,” she says. “More accessibility provides more opportunities for adventure and exploration along our serene waterways.”

A downloadable application, including a complete list of requirements, is available at the WPC Canoe Access Development Fund webpage.

More information is available on programs, initiatives and special events at the Western PA Conservancy website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Conservancy, Like them on Facebook, Follow them on Twitter, join them on Instagram, visit the Conservancy’s YouTube Channel or add them to your network on Linkedin.  Click Here to support their work.

Related Articles This Week:

-- DCNR Announces Expansion Of Overnight Glamping Options In 8 State Parks, Reserve Now For Spring 2026

-- Warren Times Editorial: Tourism Growth Is Impressive

-- DCNR Marks Completion Of Pine Creek Rail Trail To Wellsboro, Tioga County; 5th Of 10 Trail Gaps Closed

-- PA Parks & Forests Foundation Celebrates 30+ Individuals Completing The Seen Them All Challenge - Visiting All 124 State Parks, 20 State Forest Districts  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Now Accepting Nominations For Pennsylvania's 2026 River Of The Year  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Grants News: Land Conservation Expands Fall Foliage Viewing; Trail Of Year Nominations; Federally-Funded Park Projects 

-- DCNR Now Accepting Applications For $882,000 In Federally-Funded Rural Wildfire Fighting Grants, Deadline Dec. 31

-- Western PA Conservancy Now Accepting Application For Canoe Access Grants Thru Nov. 17  [PaEN]

-- Dept. Of Health Invests $380,000 In 11 Communities To Improve Walking, Biking Networks To Boost Physical Activity

-- DCNR Oct. 16-22 Fall Foliage Report - Chilly Nights Promote Rich Fall Colors

-- DCNR Oct. 9 to 15 Fall Foliage Report Finds Warm Weather Seems To Stall Foliage Transition

-- Special Viewfinders Allow Colorblind Visitors To Enjoy Fall Foliage At 11 PA State Parks  [PaEN]

-- PennLive: 3 PA Hikes Give You A Great Bird’s-Eye View Of Fall Foliage

-- Natural Lands Partners With Mechanicsburg Sportsmen's Protective Assn., Silver Spring Twp. To Preserve 154 Acres Along Kittatinny Ridge In Cumberland County [PaEN]

-- Game Commission Celebrates Addition Of 509 Acres To State Game Lands 211 In Dauphin County

-- Dept. Of Agriculture Invests $5.7 Million+ To Preserve 2,079 Acres On 24 Farms In 14 Counties  [PaEN]

-- PA Capital-Star: Gov. Shapiro Visits Lebanon County To Celebrate Farm Preservation Milestone

-- DCNR State Parks Environmental Ed News Halloween Edition Celebrates Bat Appreciation Month  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Names Shawn Kulick Assistant Park Manager For Laurel Hill State Parks Complex In Southwest PA

-- DCNR Names Robert Campion Manager For Neshaminy State Park Complex In Bucks County

-- Penn State Extension Hosts Dec. 18 Webinar On Fireflies In Pennsylvania  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Extension Hosts 7-Part Online Tree Tenders Training Starting Jan. 14 To Feb. 25  [PaEN]

-- Governor’s Advisory Council For Hunting, Fishing & Conservation Seeking Candidates For Game Commission Board

-- Governor’s Advisory Council For Hunting, Fishing & Conservation Seeks Candidates For Fish & Boat Commission Board

NewsClips:

-- Warren Times Editorial: Tourism Growth Is Impressive

-- PennLive: 3 PA Hikes Give You A Great Bird’s-Eye View Of Fall Foliage

-- The Derrick: Drought Prompts Venango County Burning Advisory; Rain In Forecast This Week

-- Tribune-Democrat: Windber Approves ATVs On Borough Streets

-- Reading Eagle: Reading Modernizes 4 Park Fieldhouses With Energy-Saving Upgrades

-- Citizens Voice: Master Plan Unveiled For Riverfront Parks In Wilkes-Barre, Kingston

-- Republican Herald: Improvement Projects Advance At Locust Lake, Tuscarora State Parks In Schuylkill County

-- Post-Gazette - Mary Ann Thomas: Duquesne Light Pauses Plan For Cutting 300+ Trees Along Irwin Run Trail To Service One Home Near North Park In Allegheny County

-- Williamsport Sun - Reflections In Nature: Berries Of Mountain Ash Tree Add Beauty To The Forest

-- Wilkes-Barre Times Leader/AP: At America’s National Parks The Arc Of History Bens Toward President’s Revisionism

-- PennLive Letter: President’s Attempt To Erase Slavery From National Parks Reveals His True Colors - By Don Spangler, Mechanicsburg

[Posted: October 6, 2025]

10/20/2025