FY 2026 Local PDR Program

Purchase of development rights (PDR) programs offer compensation to landowners who voluntarily place conservation easements on their farm or forestland. By restricting development, this incentivized structure works to preserve valuable working lands.The Virginia Department of Forestry’s Office of Working Lands Preservation (OWL) works with localities to help establish local PDR programs by creating model policies and practices, establishing criteria to certify programs as eligible to receive funds from public sources, and determining methods and sources of funding for localities to purchase conservation easements. OWL administers the Virginia Farmland and Forestland Preservation Fund (FFPF) which, among other objectives, provides matching state grants to certified local PDR programs. Please note: Prior to applying for an award under this funding opportunity, applicants must first read DOF Grant FAQs, which is located on the SAP homepage in the User Guide section of the Announcements box. This document covers ineligible expenses and explains the expectations for both project management and successful claim submissions.Applications for this funding opportunity must be submitted through SAP which is accessible via the URL below:https://vaforestry.webgrantscloud.com/logout.doApplications may not be submitted through eVA.