May 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.
TrailNation Summit: Three Weeks Left for Early Bird Registration!
NEW: Earn AICP Certification Maintenance Credits at the Summit!
Professional planners, take note: Our classroom and workshop sessions are eligible for American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification Maintenance (CM) credits—a great opportunity to build your skills and meet your certification goals.
Rails to Trails Conservancy’s TrailNation™ Summit is where the vision of trail networks at the center of healthy, thriving communities becomes a reality. Join us in Cleveland, Oct. 27—29, 2025, for a powerful two-day event designed to accelerate the development of the country’s 175+ trail networks.
Whether you’re a planner, advocate, government leader or changemaker, you’ll leave with the tools, strategies and partnerships you need to move your trail network projects forward!
JUST RELEASED: Summit Agenda Preview!
Here’s a snapshot of the TrailNation Summit experience:
- Daily keynote and plenary sessions, exploring topics that inspire action and spark curiosity
- Deep-dive master class sessions, grouped by rural, suburban and urban cohorts, to help you develop targeted solutions
- Opportunities to make meaningful connections that will kick-start relationships across sectors and geographies to accelerate learning and action in support of trail network development
You can learn more about the summit, register and preview the agenda on our website.
Don’t forget to register today! Early bird registration closes on May 30!
Trails Across America Historical Marker Program Call for Submission Ideas
Rails to Trails Conservancy and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation are partnering on a new national grant program, “Trails Across America,” with a goal to celebrate and preserve history along America’s multiuse trails. RTC and the foundation are excited to collaborate with communities across the nation to select, develop and install 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.
Ideas for historical markers will be accepted on a rolling basis, and can be submitted through an online application form. Learn more about the grant program and how to apply on RTC’s website. Got questions? Email Amy Kapp at amy@railstotrails.org.
Rails to Trails Green Issue: Call for Trail Videos
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: Advocating for ATIIP
Congress has begun the process of drafting fiscal year (FY) 2026 appropriations, and members of Congress are now accepting submissions from stakeholders and community members for appropriations priorities. This is the final authorized year of the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program, or ATIIP. Please contact your member of Congress and ask them to support the authorized amount of $200 million for ATIIP in FY 2026.
Each member of Congress uses a unique website; you can find your member’s portal by searching their website or calling their office.
Input Needed: Share Your Successes!
The TrailNation Collaborative is shining a spotlight on the innovators driving trail network development across the country—and we want to feature you.
Have a success story, creative approach or breakthrough in your work? Share it with us for a chance to be featured in our newsletter and on our digital platforms—reaching thousands of advocates, planners and professionals who are shaping the future of connected trails.
Let your work inspire others. Submit your story today!
Upcoming TrailNation Collaborative Events
In response to your feedback, many of this year’s TrailNation Collaborative events will be focused on helping you access BIL funding. Our webinars and interactive online dialogues will provide opportunities to connect with other trail experts and advocates, all while giving you the tools and resources you need to take advantage of this critical moment. Mark your calendars for the virtual events coming up this year!
Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations Active Transportation Interest Group: Regional Collaborations to Build Trail Networks
Wednesday, May 14 | Register Here
Celebrate the Power of Trails: Economic Impact and Exploration
Wednesday, May 14 | Facebook Live
TrailNation Summit (Cleveland, Ohio)
Monday, Oct. 27—Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025 | Register Here
Funding Opportunities
NOW OPEN: Safe Street 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.
T-Mobile Hometown Grants
Deadline: Monday, June 30
Main Street America is partnering with T‑Mobile to provide grants of up to $50,000 to communities with populations of 50,000 or less to build stronger, more prosperous small towns and rural communities.
Get more information about funding sources for trails and active transportation on RTC’s Federal Funding Resources page.
Resources
America Walks: Rural Communities, Walkability and Quality of Life
This recent webinar recording discusses why rural places are interested in walkability, what special barriers or opportunities they face, and models for making progress.
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.
Rails to Trails Conservancy Webinars From the Archive
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 the newest addition to our TrailNation Playbook in Action series, Building Investment Strategies That Unlock Funding, which is designed to spark your imagination for vibrant and inclusive trail programming!
Other Events You Won’t Want to Miss!
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA): Making Rural Roads Safe for All
Wednesday, May 14
APBP: Exploring AASHTO’s Updated Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities, 5th Edition
Wednesday, May 14
Smart Growth America: Understanding Federal Brownfields Policy, Advocacy and Funding in 2025
Tuesday, May 20
APBP: Strategies to Improve Pedestrian Safety in Darkness
Wednesday, May 21
American Trails: Plan Trails to Minimize Wildlife Disturbance
Thursday, May 22
Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education: Social Trails: Leveraging Marketing and Social Media to Promote Outdoor Programs
Thursday, May 22
NACTO Designing Cities Conference (in-person; Washington, D.C.)
Wednesday, May 28—Saturday, May 31
APBP: Micromobility Successes and Challenges: An Overview of Safety, Access and Enforcement
Wednesday, June 18
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.