OHIO — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources announced it's now accepting applications for the Statewide Wetland Grant Program through Gov. Mike DeWine's H2Ohio initiative. 

The funding is for high-quality natural infrastructure projects which aim to improve water quality and reduce nutrient runoff.

What You Need To Know

  • The program is a reimbursement grant program providing up to 100% funding for certain projects

  • According to ODNR, each project application must have a budget that's justified within the minimum funding request of $50,000

  • ODNR said H2Ohio projects in the Western Lake Erie Basin go through a different application and award process, and they are accepted year-round

  • Grant applications should be submitted to ODNR by June 7

The program is a reimbursement grant program providing up to 100% funding for certain projects. According to ODNR, each project application must have a budget that's justified within the minimum funding request of $50,000. 

“The selected projects will be granted crucial funding from H2Ohio to build upon the progress the state is already making in cleaning our waterways and improving our drinking water,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz said in a press release.. “These investments are essential opportunities to better our natural resources for years to come.”

Eligible projects for the funding include:

  • Wetland creation
  • Hydrologic restoration of wetlands on hydric soils
  • Hydrologic enhancement of existing wetlands, floodplains and riparian corridors
  • Stream, conservation channel design and floodplain restoration
  • Restoration of forested riparian buffers

Grant applications should be submitted to ODNR by June 7. 

ODNR said H2Ohio projects in the Western Lake Erie Basin go through a different application and award process, and they are accepted year-round. The counties in the Western Lake Erie Basin include Allen, Auglaize, Crawford, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Huron, Lucas, Marion, Mercer, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Shelby, Van Wert, Williams, Wood and Wyandot.

Find more information on ODNR's website. 

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