TrailNation Collaborative March Newsletter

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

Three Ways to Build Support for Your Trail Network

Rails to Trails Conservancy’s TrailNation Collaborative exists to help accelerate the development of trail networks across the country, but that infrastructure needs bold protection and investment. Alongside you and many partners across the country, RTC is working to ensure these critical community assets can continue to be built and funded for years to come.

Engage early and often.
- Building relationships with state agencies and elected officials can increase awareness and support for your project. Whether you’re requesting funding or seeking letters of support for grants, these connections often play a pivotal role in advancing your trail network.
- Check out our recent webinars “Looking Ahead in 2026: Trails, Transportation, and the Midterm Elections” and “State DOT Engagement: Relationship-Building and Advocacy” for ideas on how to build authentic and long-lasting relationships with state leaders in your community.
Invite local elected officials to Celebrate Trails Day.
- One great way to raise awareness for your trail is to invite leaders to join you for events out on the trail. Communities across the country are hosting events for Celebrate Trails Day—the perfect excuse to send an invitation to have your state or Congressional representatives to spend a Saturday outside connecting with trail advocates in your community.
- Engagement is a critical part of building a successful trail network. That why we have a rundown of how to build a successful engagement strategy in the TrailNation Playbook.
Get creative about finding funding.
- Many Congressional offices are now accepting requests for “Community Project Funding” or “Congressional Designated Projects” (i.e. earmarks). Join RTC later this month to learn how your project may benefit from the August Redistribution process through which unspent federal transportation dollars are reallocated to states that can put the funding to work fast.
- Looking for more funding inspiration? Review the Investment Strategy chapter of the TrailNation Playbook for more ideas.

Invite Your Community to Celebrate Trails to April 25!

Celebrate Trails Day invites everyone to experience the country’s trails through events and self-guided activities. In this pivotal year for trails, join RTC in growing this annual springtime celebration—generating more attention and appreciation for America’s trails and active transportation—by getting involved as a partner.

Explore free partner resources for planning events and preparing for the celebration: RailsToTrails.org/CelebrateTrailsDay/Toolkit

2026 TrailNation Collaborative Webinar and Dialogue Events: 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.

Leveraging Unobligated Funding: How Remaining Federal Funds Could Advance Your Trail Project (1.0 AICP CM) | Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Trails as Social Infrastructure: How to Build Connection in a Disconnected World—Practical Strategies That Work (1.0 AICP CM) | Wednesday, April 22, 2026

E-Bikes, E-Motos, and Emerging Mobility: What Belongs on Trails and Why (Online Dialogue; 1.0 AICP CM) | Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Trail Tourism Toolkit Release | May 2026

Celebrating Safety Month: Model Trail Networks for Safer Transportation Systems (1.0 AICP CM) | June 2026

Celebrating Disability Pride Month: Beyond ADA: Accessibility, Dignity, and Choice on Multi-Use Trails (Online Dialogue; 1.0 AICP CM) | July 2026

Celebrating National Preparedness Month: Planning for the Next Disaster: Building Resilient Trail Networks Before Crisis Hits (1.0 AICP CM) | September 2026

Trail Networks as Economic Infrastructure: Turning Trails into Local Economic Opportunities (1.0 AICP CM) | October 2026

Trails and Housing: Tools for Resilient, Inclusive Communities (1.0 AICP CM) | November 2026

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

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: National Coastal Resilience Fund

Deadline for proposals: March 31, 2026

The National Coastal Resilience Fund focuses on reducing risks related to storms, natural disasters and other environmental stressors to coastal communities through investments in planning, design and implementation of nature-based solutions. Eligible projects must be located within the coastal areas of coastal states, including the Great Lakes.

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.

U.S. Congress: Congressional Designated Spending – Community Projects

Members of Congress are now seeking input on community project funding (formerly known as earmarks), and it is now time to submit your request. Each member will have their own website and deadline, but the entire process will conclude by March 20, so you must act quickly. Community Project Funding directs funds to community-supported local priority projects requested by individual lawmakers, without going through a public agency competition. It is an opportunity to make the case for your trail and active transportation projects and receive funding from your federal elected officials.

This process starts by submitting a project request on their website. Click here to find your members in the U.S. Congress. Keep in mind that every office has a different form and deadline, so you will need to check your members’ website or call their Washington, D.C., office for deadline and submission information. You can learn more about this process here.

Coming Soon—RTC: Trail Grants

Opening in early April 2026

In 2026, RTC will award approximately $110,000 to organizations and local agencies that are working to develop and connect equitable trail networks. This year, only projects that support the planning, construction, improvement and maintenance of trails and trail networks will be considered. Eligible activities include but are not limited to: feasibility studies, mapping, design, construction and matching funds for state or federal grants. RTC’s Trail Grants applications will open in mid-April. Awards will range between $10,000 and $25,000.

Stay tuned in to the TrailNation Collaborative newsletter for details!

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

Resources

Main Street America: Main Street and Transportation Planning

This recently published blog from Main Street America offers perspective on the vital role Main Street programs and staff can play in informing trail and transportation plans.

RTC: Philanthropy’s Role in Powering Community Growth Through Trails

From the TrailNation Summit 2025 archives—our third plenary at the Summit featured an impactful conversation with philanthropic leaders from across the county to explore how to move beyond traditional funding sources to address the challenges of working across municipal lines, sectors and timelines.

Destinations International: Indigenous-Led Tourism Partnership Toolkit

This new toolkit expands the understanding of the role of Indigenous communities in shaping destinations and offers a framework for meaningful engagement.

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 U.S. Department of Transportation’s Thriving Communities Program to rural communities nationwide.

RTC: TrailNation Summit Resources

Looking for a digital copy of the TrailNation Workbook, presentation slides, or any of the resources mentioned at the 2025 TrailNation Summit in Cleveland this past October to assist with your work? Find them on the TrailNation Summit Resources page! Please reach out to Mary Ellen Koontz, TrailNation Collaborative lead, if you need assistance at maryellen@railstotrails.org.

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!