January 2026 Newsletter

RTC’s TrailNation™ Collaborative is a multidisciplinary learning community for anyone interested in working in trail and active transportation. Join the email list.

Happy New Year from the TrailNation Collaborative!

Rails to Trails Conservancy’s TrailNation™ Collaborative had a standout year in 2025—and we’re just getting started! Together, we hosted more than 15 webinar and online dialogue sessions highlighting best practices from around the country, sparked thoughtful conversations in our Facebook group, and even hosted a city swap to highlight the Baltimore Greenway Trails Network. We connected with trail professionals from around the world at the International Trails Summit in Madison, Wisconsin, and welcomed nearly 400 Collaborative members at the TrailNation Summit in Cleveland, Ohio—making lifelong connections, sharing ideas, and strengthening the trail network movement to tackle the challenges ahead.  

The year ahead promises to be a big one for trails and active transportation as we prepare for the upcoming federal surface transportation reauthorization bill, collaborate on resources and emerging topics, and work together to accelerate trail and active transportation networks across the country—to celebrating RTC’s 40th Anniversary!  

Looking ahead to 2026, we hope you’ll stay engaged with the TrailNation Collaborative as we roll out new tools and resources to help build, activate and promote connected trail infrastructure across the country. We have more than a dozen opportunities to virtually connect with the TrailNation Collaborative this year through webinars and online dialogues from our 2026 series,  Advancing Trail Networks for People, Communities, and Change – see below for details!  

TrailNation Accelerator Program Launch!

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the TrailNation Accelerator Program, a new peer-learning and technical assistance program designed to help rural and small-town communities advance connected trail networks. By providing funding, tailored support and technical assistance, the Accelerator program will help local trail champions harness and utilize resources to drive lasting, community and economic development impact in their regions. Made possible with generous support from the REI Cooperative Action Fund, eight teams from across the country have been selected to participate in the inaugural Accelerator cohort in 2026. Cohort teams will work together with RTC to advance their trail network visions, build capacity for implementation and foster cross-sector collaboration to ensure coordinated, equitable and sustainable trail network development. 

Meet the 2026 TrailNation Accelerator Program Cohort, and stay tuned for ways to engage through the Collaborative. 

Announcing the 2026 TrailNation Collaborative Webinar and Dialogue Series: Advancing Trail Networks for People, Communities and Change

In 2026, TrailNation™ Collaborative learning events will bring together trail champions, planners, community leaders, and advocates for timely conversations about what it takes to build and sustain trail networks amid shifting social, environmental, funding and economic conditions. 

The series includes both webinars and interactive online dialogues, each designed with a distinct purpose. Webinars feature expert-led presentations, case studies, and practical tools focused on specific challenges and opportunities facing trail networks today. Dialogues are  facilitated conversations that center peer exchange—creating space for participants to share experiences, ask questions, and problem-solve together in real time. 

Many of these sessions will be eligible for AICP Certification Maintenance (CM) credits! 

Are there webinar or working group topics you’d like to see covered through the TrailNation Collaborative this year? Email us at trailnationcollaborative@railstotrails.org to share your ideas!  

Find registration links for all sessions at railstotrails.org/webinars.

Funding Opportunities

Main Street America: Road Safety Innovation for Downtown 

Deadline: Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 

The GM on Main Street grant program was created to help nonprofit organizations and municipal government entities implement innovative revitalization initiatives in their local commercial districts. Now in its fourth year, the GM on Main Street Grant Program will award a total of $300,000 to five nonprofit organizations and municipal governments located in this year’s eligible counties near GM facilities. 

U.S. Department of Transportation: BUILD Grants

Deadline: Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 

The eligibility requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT’s) Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program allow project sponsors, including state and local governments, counties, Tribal governments, transit agencies and port authorities, to pursue multimodal and multijurisdictional projects that are more difficult to fund through other grant programs. 

Association EBN: Architecture and Art Grant 

Deadline: Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026 

This grant supports the realization of a community-shaping artistic, educational or cross-cultural project by a young adult (17–35) in the fields of art, architecture or placemaking–reflecting the values of Emma Burke Newman. 

OPENS SOON—IMBA: Trail Accelerator Grants 

Open Thursday, Jan. 15–Sunday, March 15, 2026 

IMBA’s Trail Accelerator Grants provide a jump-start to communities that have the interest and political support to plan mountain-biking trail systems but need assistance to get projects up and running. Note: This is an award of IMBA professional services and requires a match from applicants.  

NOW OPEN—Main Street America: T-Mobile Hometown Grants 

Deadline: March 31, 2026 

Join over 450 communities across 48 states and one U.S. territory that have benefited from more than $20 million in funding since 2021. From enhancing public tech infrastructure to creating new recreational trails and restoring historic landmarks, these grants are transforming communities like yours. This opportunity is open to communities with a population of 50,000 or less and provides grants of up to $50,000.  

Get more information about funding sources for trails and active transportation on RTC’s Federal Funding Resources page.

Resources

RTC: From Amenities to Essentials: The Case for Trails and Active Transportation
From the TrailNation Summit 2025 archives—our first plenary at the Summit featured a dynamic conversation with leaders from across the county, including Cleveland’s Mayor Justin Bibb, to discuss why trail and active transportation networks are essential to the well-being of the places and the people they serve and how they’re making networks happen.  

Main Street America: Thriving Communities Transportation Toolkit
Main Street America just released their new toolkit to help local governments and leaders advance transportation investments. This resource is the result of two years of collaboration with RTC and other partners in delivering the USDOT’s Thriving Communities Program to rural communities nationwide. 

RTC: Indiana’s HamCo Hubway—December Trail of the Month
Last fall, RTC’s Laura Stark explored the HamCo Hubway, a new 28.5-looped trail network connecting communities in Central Indiana. Utilizing trails making up the larger 600-mile network, this loop highlights “mantle moments” along the four connected trails to draw in residents and visitors alike.   

The USDOT’s SS4A Awards Announced
In the fourth year of the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) federal funding program (fiscal year [FY] 2025), the USDOT awarded grants to 521 communities across the country—totaling nearly $1 billion in investments for this fiscal year. Learn how walking, biking and trails performed in the FY 2025 SS4A award cycle.  

Seattle Times: Biking the Scenic Washington State Section of the Great American Rail-Trail
Completing walking and biking audits are an important part of developing a gap-filling strategy. In this recent blog, experts from Smart Growth America reflect on their Week Without Driving challenge and the role of bike audits to ensure that cycling infrastructure, like trails, are prioritized in transportation planning.  

America Walks: Communications 101: How to Think About Your Strategy
Using his forty years of experience in advocacy and organizing, America Walks Executive Director Mike McGinn covers the elements of a clear, compelling communications strategy—including message development and testing, how to find and use polling data to strengthen your case, why a good message alone isn’t enough, and common pitfalls to watch out for. 

RTC: TrailNation Summit Resources
This resource from the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) is designed to guide federal, state, local, Tribal and philanthropic leaders in harnessing the power of outdoor recreation to strengthen rural economies, improve community resilience and enhance quality of life.  

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable: Trail Map for Rural Development in America 
This resource from the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) is designed to guide federal, state, local, Tribal and philanthropic leaders in harnessing the power of outdoor recreation to strengthen rural economies, improve community resilience and enhance quality of life.  

RTC: Webinars From the Archive
In Case You Missed It—Miss a recent webinar or online dialogue? You can find free access to all our recent RTC virtual events in the webinar archive or Resource Library on our website! This includes our recent “Innovative State Legislative Approaches” and “State DOT Engagement” sessions with RTC’s policy team and recordings of the TrailNation Summit plenary sessions! 

Other Events You Won’t Want to Miss!

Tools for Collaborative Members

Get access to all the resources you need to create a vibrant trail network for your community—from funding opportunities to technical assistance.