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The National Park Services (NPS) has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity to advise states, local units of government, and federally recognized Indian Tribes of the availability of funds for grants from the Land and Water Conservation Fund’s (LWCF) Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program. The purpose of the ORLP is to provide grants to acquire and/or develop public lands for outdoor recreation purposes consistent with the purposes of the LWCF, but with the further specific goals of funding projects that:
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Are located within an incorporated or unincorporated city (or town) having a population of 30,000 or more in the 2020 Census, and
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Are located within a community (Census tract) that is determined to be disadvantaged per the Climate and Environmental Justice Screening Tool.
Additionally, this competition prioritizes projects that help cool the air, reduce pollution, and positively affect mental and physical health. Nature-based park projects will earn a 5-point bonus. Nature-based projects are those where nature is a major element of, or strongly supports, the proposed recreational activity.
Projects will be awarded a minimum of $300,000 and maximum of $15,000,000.
Local applications are due to TPWD via RGO by March 15, 2024 at 5:00pm CST.
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Please welcome three new Recreation Grants team members!
Immanuel Salas – Target Range Grant Specialist
Raised by a single mom in Texas to camp and hike with a little fishing mixed in, I never knew a career in natural resources was an option. I just figured rangers grew on trees and lived in tents. After my time in the Army, I pursued an undergrad and career in the movie industry; but sought something more rewarding.
I began my professional career by volunteering with our Texas Outdoor Family Program (woot!), Hunter & Angler Education Programs while completing my M.S. in Recreation and Leisure
Management Studies at Texas State University. I served as an Education Specialist/Ranger with State Parks’ TOF for two years, before spending two years with Community Archery as a Training Specialist/Archery Instructor connecting schools, programs, and audience to TPWD and outdoor recreation via archery. I served as the Department’s first R3 Hunting and Shooting Sports Coordinator for almost two years, which gave me great insight into the depth and breadth of agency efforts across divisions and programs. I wanted to focus on a singular program and dedicate my efforts towards impactful and tangible projects and so am glad to come aboard in this new role.
Providing safe, welcoming, and educational target shooting opportunities is critical to support our audience, remain relevant to them, promote awareness of- & contribute towards wildlife funding and provide a conduit to recreation opportunities & our agency. This will be my focus and am glad to be able to serve in this way.
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Aaron Friar - Branch Operations Manager
A native of south Austin, Aaron grew up exploring the creeks, lakes, parks, and trails of the Texas hill country. He fell in love with the outdoors at a young age, and quickly realized the importance of natural resource conservation.
Aaron studied outdoor recreation management at Stephen F. Austin State University and has worked for parks in every corner of the United States. His professional experience includes building trails in remote wilderness areas, leading environmental education programs, promoting the Texas State Park system, and assisting communities throughout Texas to acquire and develop public parkland.
As Chief of Staff for Texas State Parks, Aaron gained valuable experience finding solutions to complex issues involving park operations, land management, and stakeholder interests. He participated in the TPWD Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan update, the planning efforts of the core team for the Centennial Celebration, and was the point of contact for State Parks during the 88th Legislative Session. He has worked on projects with every TPWD Division, as well as legislators, federal, state, and local governments, nonprofit organizations, universities, and volunteers to advance the field of conservation and outdoor recreation in Texas.
Aaron is married to his best friend Blaire. They are new parents to a future park ranger, Everett James Friar, who is 9 months old. They are enjoying parenthood and looking forward to all the new adventures on the horizon. Especially the adventure of visiting every Texas State Park as a family.
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Julie Dillard - Boating Access/Target Range Program Manager
Born and raised in Vermont, I wanted to be able to see more of the world and joined the Navy after high school graduation. The Navy afforded me the opportunity to see and live in various parts of the world, to include my favorite of Hawaii. While stationed in Hawaii and Cuba, I was able to complete my undergraduate degree. After retiring from the Navy, I settled down in Tallahassee Florida, which is probably the furthest point from any of the Florida beaches you can find.
In Tallahassee, my first civilian job was with the Victim of Crime Acts (VOCA) grant with the Office of the Attorney General. This was my first exposure to the grant world and found a job that impacts the people and communities where we live and was hooked. After the VOCA grant came Justice Assistance Grants with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), and then on to the Adult Education grants with Florida Department of Education. During this time, I also went back to school and completed my graduate degree.
In 2015 I moved to Texas. Finally!! Once in Texas, the opportunity to some time off to pursue a hobby which presented itself, so I attended Le Cordon Bleu in Austin and received a degree in Pastry and Baking. Once the degree was complete, I went to work with the Fund for Veterans Assistance with the Texas Veterans Commission. Now for the next step where I am privileged to be able to assist with grants that benefit all Texans promoting outdoor activities and providing safety and educational resources around those activities.
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