June 2025 Newsletter
RTC’s TrailNation™ Collaborative is a multidisciplinary learning community for anyone interested in working in trail and active transportation. Join the email list.
Explore the Cuyahoga Greenways at the TrailNation Summit
Rails to Trails Conservancy’s TrailNation™ Summit, set in Cleveland, Ohio, is where the vision of trail networks at the center of healthy, thriving communities becomes a reality. Summit attendees will enjoy an immersive learning experience designed to provide the skills, relationships and strategies necessary to accelerate the pace of developing their trail networks—and the opportunity to explore the region’s premier trail network, the Cuyahoga Greenways! Certified planners attending the Summit will be eligible for more than 10 American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification maintenance (CM) credits! Learn more and register for the TrailNation Summit today!
On June 26, RTC will offer a chance to get to know the Cuyahoga Greenways even better. During this webinar, the first in the TrailNation Spotlight series, Elaine Price, planning initiatives specialist at the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission, will share insights into Cleveland’s growing trail network and its role in creating a more connected, active Northeast Ohio. We’ll also hear from Liz Thorstensen, RTC’s vice president of trail development, who will preview how the upcoming TrailNation Summit—set against the backdrop of this dynamic network—will inspire collaboration and accelerate progress nationwide.
Register for the upcoming TrailNation Spotlight: Cuyahoga Greenways webinar.
Apply Today for the Trails Across America Historical Marker Program
RTC is pleased to announce that the Round 1 application period is now open for the Trails Across America historical marker program! This program will make available premium cast-aluminum historical markers featuring unique places, people and history along greenways, canal towpaths and rail-trails—linking and inspiring communities by honoring their pasts. RTC will work in collaboration with community partners to select, develop and install the markers, which are fully funded by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation and created with support from RTC.
Ideas will be accepted in multiple rolling rounds (summer, fall and winter) through our quick pre-application process (the form takes about 15 minutes), with submissions for our first round due before or on July 11, 2025. Learn more about the grant program and how to apply on RTC’s website. Got questions? Email Amy Kapp at amy@railstotrails.org.
Apply today! Looking for inspiration? Check out how RTC and the Pomeroy Foundation commemorated these 12 rich histories along the route of the Great American Rail-Trail™.
Last Call: Rails to Trails Green Issue Video Submissions
Rails to Trails magazine’s Green Issue—our all multimedia edition—will be published in late July, and we’re excited to put a spotlight on the joy and positive impact that trails are bringing to people’s lives across the country. We’re inviting trail organizations, communities and other partners to submit three- to five-minute videos highlighting the value of their local trails for potential inclusion in this digital issue of the magazine. (Videos must have been produced within the last two years.) Please submit your YouTube, Vimeo or other public links for consideration to Laura Stark at lauras@railstotrails.org by Monday, June 16. If your entry is selected, we’ll be sure to properly credit all footage used and would be pleased to share your video with our national audience.
Federal Policy Update: RTC’s Reauthorization Agenda
Creating vibrant trail and active transportation networks that serve neighborhoods across America requires public policies and programs that robustly fund this infrastructure. For decades, RTC, its members and partners have advocated for investments in the infrastructure communities need to safely walk and bike where they live. Together, we’re sending a clear message to the nation’s decision-makers and elected leaders: Americans want active transportation networks where they live.
Check out RTC’s reauthorization agenda and learn how you can get involved.
Upcoming TrailNation Collaborative Events
Our webinars and interactive online dialogues provide opportunities to connect with other trail experts and advocates, all while giving you the tools and resources you need to advance your trail network. Mark your calendars for the virtual events coming up this year!
Advocating for Active Transportation: Introducing Rails to Trails Conservancy’s Reauthorization Agenda
Wednesday, June 25 | Register Here
TrailNation Spotlight: Cuyahoga Greenways
Thursday, June 26 | Register Here
.75 AICP CM credits available
TrailNation Summit (Cleveland, Ohio)
Monday, Oct. 27—Wednesday, Oct. 29 | Register Here
AICP CM credits available
Find registration links for all sessions at railstotrails.org/webinars.
Funding Opportunities
APPLY NOW: Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A)
Deadline: Thursday, June 26
The United States Department of Transportation has opened a new application period for the SS4A program, making $982 million available, with 40% set aside for planning and demonstration projects. The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) specifically mentions bicyclists and bicycle infrastructure, but prioritizes “low cost, high impact” projects and indicates that projects that reduce travel lanes will be viewed less favorably. In your applications, it will be important to make a strong evidence-based case for the safety and cost-effective nature of your projects.
NOW OPEN: AllTrails Stewards Fund
Deadline: Monday, June 30
The AllTrails Stewards Fund will give money to projects that improve, maintain, rebuild and restore our outdoor spaces through an open application process. The fund is for trail projects with strong community support that expand outdoor access and preserve outdoor spaces.
NOW OPEN: T-Mobile Hometown Grant Program
Deadline: Monday, June 30
For communities with populations of 50,000 or less, the program provides grants of up to $50,000 to help build stronger, more prosperous small towns and rural communities! Nonprofits and municipalities are encouraged to apply.
Get more information about funding sources for trails and active transportation on RTC’s Federal Funding Resources page.
Resources
AMPO: MPO Engagement Toolkit
This new resource from the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations contains tools and resources for regional governments to build effective education and outreach strategies with elected leaders.
WHO: Promoting Walking and Cycling: A Toolkit of Policy Options
This World Health Organization toolkit presents a policy framework with evidence-based strategies to help countries improve walking and bicycling through coordinated efforts among multiple sectors.
U.S. Forest Service: Trail Maintenance and Construction Notebook
In cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration Recreational Trails Program, the U.S. Forest Service has published an updated “Trail Maintenance and Construction Notebook.” The 2025 edition includes new chapters on collaborative trail planning, design strategies and more.
Transportation Safety for Tribes: Pedestrian Safety in Tribal Areas
This study report discusses available resources and provides new tools for Tribal agencies and others who may be involved with pedestrian safety to help determine high-risk areas within Tribal communities, identify potential safety improvements and prioritize potential improvements or locations.
RTC: Webinars From the Archive
Miss a recent webinar or online dialogue? You can find free access to all of our recent RTC virtual events in the webinar archive or Resource Library on our website. This includes the newest addition to our TrailNation Playbook in Action series, Building Investment Strategies That Unlock Funding, which was designed to spark your imagination for vibrant and inclusive trail programming!
Other Events You Won’t Want to Miss!
APBP: Micromobility Successes and Challenges: An Overview of Safety, Access, and Enforcement
Wednesday, June 18
Part 1: Evolution of Bicycle Infrastructure and the AASHTO Bike Guide | June 26
Part 2: Design Principles of High-Comfort Bikeways | July 31
Part 3: Additional Advances in Bicycling Design | September 11
American Trails: Volunteer Trail Builders
Thursday, July 10
APBP: Understanding the Bike-Train Connection: Best Practices and How to Collect Data on Experiences
Wednesday, July 16
Registration links to these events and more can be found on the TrailNation Collaborative web page.
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.
- Sign up for the TrailNation Collaborative.
- Connect with the TrailNation Collaborative on Facebook.
- Explore our TrailNation Playbook.
- Learn about federal transportation funding for trails.
- Visit our Trail-Building Toolbox.