General FAQs

What does the Georgia Land Conservation Program have to offer?

Competitive Grants for fee title or conservation easement purchases from the Georgia Land Conservation Trust Fund.
Low-interest loans (2 or 3% interest rate plus closing fee) for fee title or conservation easement purchases from the Georgia Land Conservation Revolving Fund.
Tax incentives for donations of conservation lands or conservation easements.
Consultation, referrals, and other technical support for those seeking to carry out land conservation initiatives.

Who can apply to the Georgia Land Conservation Program?
All qualified cities and counties, regardless of size, within the state are eligible to apply for grant or low interest funding under the GLCP. To be a qualified city or county, a community must be in compliance with the Department of Community Affairs and the Department of Audits and Accounts. Additionally, state agencies may submit project funding applications, and non-profit conservation organizations may submit applications for low interest loans.

Where can I get an application?
Applications can be obtained by contacting the Georgia Land Conservation Program at 404-584-1101 or by visiting www.glcp.org to download or request an application.

Is there someone I can talk to before I fill out an application?
YES! The GLCP and our partners give presentations and conduct workshops around the state. In addition, applicants may contact the GLCP at 404-584-1035, 404-584-1083 or 404-584-1101 before submitting their first application with this program. Although staff will not be able to assist with the actual writing of the application, they can guide you to the resources you may need to prepare a successful application.

How long does it take to process a GLCP application?
Once a complete application has been submitted (including an approved appraisal), the application review cycle for loans or grants takes approximately one hundred (100) days. Applications are acted upon at the quarterly meetings of the Land Conservation Council, pending available funds. Projects will be reviewed and scored upon receipt of a full application, but awards are not granted by the Council until certain due diligence items including a certified appraisal and a written acquisition agreement with the landowner have been submitted to and approved by the program. Where the acquisition of a conservation easement is proposed, the terms of the easement must be negotiated with the landowner and approved by the GLCP.

What can GLCP funds be used for?
All direct costs of activities which are required by applicable state laws and local ordinances or policies in order to obtain fee simple or conservation easement interests in real property can be reimbursed as part of a successful grant or loan application. Said costs shall include the purchase price, if any; the costs of due diligence investigation such as appraisals, surveys, phase 1 environmental reports, and title insurance; and other fees for services related to the direct acquisition of the real property, provided, however, that said costs shall not include any costs for services provided in violation of Chapter 40 of Title 43. The GLCP encourages passive recreational uses but does not fund the acquisition or development of more intensive recreation areas such as ballfields, playgrounds, and public parking areas.

What are the goals of the GLCP?
The GLCP’s goals are the improvement of water quality, conservation of fragile, threatened and natural habitats and conservation of forest and agricultural lands. Eligible land conservation projects must demonstrate one or more of the following conservation goals:

Water quality protection for rivers, streams, and lakes;
Flood protection;
Wetlands protection;
Reduction of erosion through protection of steep slopes, areas with erodible soils, and stream banks;
Protection of riparian buffers and other areas that serve as natural habitat and corridors for native plant and animal species;
Protection of prime agricultural and forestry lands;
Protection of cultural sites, heritage corridors, and archaeological and historic resources;
Scenic protection;
Provision of recreation in the form of boating, hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, running, jogging, biking, walking, and similar outdoor activities; and
Connection of existing or planned areas contributing to the goals set out in this paragraph.