National Park Service Awards $7.4 Million in Land and Water Conservation Fund Grants to Preserve Historic Battlefield Lands

News Release Date: March 19, 2026

Contact: [email protected]

WASHINGTON - The National Park Service today announced it will award $7,469,893 in Battlefield Land Acquisition Grants funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, advancing President Donald J. Trump's commitment to conserving America's historic landscapes and outdoor heritage.

The grants support state, tribal, local and nonprofit partners working to acquire and permanently protect threatened battlefield lands associated with the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War.

"These Land and Water Conservation Fund grants help communities preserve the places where our nation's history was shaped," said Jessica Bowron, Comptroller, Exercising the Delegated Authority of the Director. "Through strong partnerships with states, local governments and nonprofit organizations, we are protecting these important landscapes so future generations can learn from and experience them."

The Battlefield Land Acquisition Grants program helps partners acquire historically significant battlefield land outside the legislative boundaries of National Park units. Projects are selected through a competitive review process and require a 50 percent non-federal match, leveraging federal funding with significant local and private investment.

Fiscal year 2026 grants will support preservation projects in Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Virginia, protecting portions of several historic battlefields including Stones River, Wauhatchie, Chickasaw Bayou, Kennesaw Mountain and Ringgold Gap.

The Battlefield Land Acquisition Grants program is funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which invests energy development revenues into conservation, recreation and historic preservation projects across the United States.

A full list of fiscal year 2026 grant awards is below.

Georgia

Georgia Department of Natural Resources - $555,688

Project Partner: American Battlefield Trust
Non-Federal Acquisition of 2.63-acre tract at Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield - Marietta
The grant will acquire and preserve this portion of the battlefield.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources in partnership with American Battlefield Trust will acquire 2.63 acres of the battlefield. After acquisition by American Battlefield Trust, a protective easement will be conveyed to Georgia Piedmont Land Trust.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources - $275,838

Project Partner: American Battlefield Trust
Non-Federal Acquisition of 13.07-acre tract at Ringgold Gap Battlefield - Ringgold
The grant will acquire and preserve this portion of the battlefield.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources in partnership with American Battlefield Trust will acquire 13.07 acres of the battlefield. After acquisition by American Battlefield Trust, a protective easement will be conveyed to Georgia Piedmont Land Trust.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources - $352,793

Project Partner: American Battlefield Trust
Non-Federal Acquisition of 61.54-acre tract at Rocky Face Ridge Battlefield - Dalton
The grant will acquire and preserve this portion of the battlefield.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources in partnership with American Battlefield Trust will acquire 61.54 acres of the battlefield. After acquisition by American Battlefield Trust, a protective easement will be conveyed to Georgia Piedmont Land Trust.

Louisiana

American Battlefield Trust - $57,839

Non-Federal Acquisition of 26.47-acre tract at Fort DeRussey Battlefield - Avoyelles Parish
The grant will acquire and preserve this portion of the battlefield.

American Battlefield Trust will acquire 26.47 acres of the battlefield. After acquisition by American Battlefield Trust, the tract will be transferred to the State of Louisiana for incorporation into the Fort DeRussey State Historic Site.

Mississippi

Mississippi Department of Archives & History - $91,956

Project Partner: American Battlefield Trust
Non-Federal Acquisition of 90.6-acre tract at Chickasaw Bayou Battlefield - Vicksburg
The grant will acquire and preserve this portion of the battlefield.

Mississippi Department of Archives and History, in partnership with American Battlefield Trust will acquire 90.6 acres of the battlefield. After acquisition by American Battlefield Trust, a protective easement will be conveyed to Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Tennessee

Town of Murfreesboro - $4,797,277

Project Partner: American Battlefield Trust
Non-Federal Acquisition of 37-acre tract at Stones River Battlefield - Murfreesboro
The grant will acquire and preserve this portion of the battlefield.

The Town of Murfreesboro, in partnership with American Battlefield Trust will acquire 37 acres of the battlefield. After acquisition by American Battlefield Trust, a protective easement will be conveyed to Tennessee Historical Commission.

City of Chattanooga - $973,527

Project Partner: American Battlefield Trust

Non-Federal Acquisition of 30-acre tract at Wauhatchie Battlefield - Chattanooga
The grant will acquire and preserve this portion of the battlefield.

The City of Chattanooga, in partnership with American Battlefield Trust will acquire 30 acres of the battlefield. After acquisition by American Battlefield Trust, a protective easement will be conveyed to Tennessee Historical Commission.

Virginia

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation - $221,371

Project Partner: American Battlefield Trust

Non-Federal Acquisition of 13.58-acre tract at Glendale Battlefield - Richmond
The grant will acquire and preserve this portion of the battlefield.

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation in partnership with American Battlefield Trust will acquire 13.58 acres of the battlefield. After acquisition by American Battlefield Trust, a protective easement will be conveyed to Virginia Department of Historic Resources.

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation - $143,604

Project Partner: Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation

Non-Federal Acquisition of 0.267-acre tract at New Market Battlefield - New Market
The grant will acquire and preserve this portion of the battlefield.

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation in partnership with Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation will acquire 0.267 acres of the battlefield. After acquisition by Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, a protective easement will be conveyed to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.

-nps.gov-

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