The state Department of Land and Natural Resources' Legacy Land Conservation Program is seeking applicants for grants from the State Land Conservation Fund to fund the protection, through acquisition, of lands having value as a resource to the state.

State agencies, county agencies and nonprofit land conservation organizations may apply for funding.

"The Legacy Land Conservation Program provides an annual source of funding for the conservation of watersheds; coastal areas, beaches, and ocean access; habitat protection; cultural and historic sites; recreational and public hunting areas; parks; natural areas; agricultural production; and open spaces and scenic resources," Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairwoman, said in a news release.

Proposed projects may include acquisition of fee title or conservation easements. County agencies and nonprofit project applicants must be able to provide at least 25 percent of the total project costs.

The 2009-2010 application cycle may provide up to $3 million in grants.

Earlier this year, Gov. Linda Lingle released $3.3 million from the Legacy Land Conservation Fund for five projects to acquire and protect properties on the Big Island and O'ahu.

The grant application form and instructions will be available online, beginning tomorrow, at http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/llcp.

The application deadline is Sept. 16.

For more information on the Legacy Land Conservation Program, go to http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/llcp or call 586-0921.