May 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.
May Means Movement on Federal Transportation Bills
Later this year, the 5-year bill that funds all forms of surface transportation infrastructure, like trails, streets, and highways, is set to expire. In preparation for the expiration of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Rails to Trails Conservancy is working with partners across the country to continue crucial federal investments in trails, walking and biking.
RTC expects this critical piece of federal legislation, called Surface Transportation Reauthorization, to be released soon. In the meantime, RTC just finalized a national sign on letter in support of the Active Transportation Investment Program (ATIIP), which is the only program dedicated to investing at scale to fill gaps and complete active transportation networks.
Thank you to our over 250 partners who signed this letter from across 47 states. We are proud to have a diverse coalition supporting ATIIP that includes local elected officials, businesses, local, state, regional and national advocacy groups, as well as leaders in real estate, public safety, environmental advocacy, economic development, public health and more. You can view this letter here.
RTC Seeking Proposals for Outside Counsel
RTC is seeking proposals from a law firm or lawyer to serve as outside counsel in support of our legal program, the only nonprofit program in the country that regularly goes to court to support and defend rail-trails and multiuse trails against legal threats.
RTC has issued a request for proposals for a firm or lawyer to initially serve in a mentee role with RTC’s general counsel and ultimately transition to provide consistent long-term services advancing trails, greenways and other walking and biking infrastructure across the United States.
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 and be in a horizontal/landscape orientation.)
Please submit your YouTube, Vimeo or other public links for consideration to Laura Stark at lauras@railstotrails.org by Monday, June 15. 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.
2026 TrailNation Collaborative 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.
Celebrating Safety Month: Model Trail Networks for Safer Transportation Systems (1.0 AICP CM) | June 2026
Trail Tourism Toolkit Release | July 2026
Celebrating Disability Pride Month: Beyond ADA: Accessibility, Dignity, and Choice on Multi-Use Trails (Online Dialogue; 1.0 AICP CM) | September 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
New! USDOT: Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program
Deadline: June 8, 2026
The Federal Railroad Administration’s Crossing Safety Program and Railroad Crossing Elimination Grants provide funding for crossing improvement projects that focus on
“improving the safety and mobility of people and goods”. There is more than $1 billion in funding available, including for the elimination of rail crossings for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Apply Now! USDOT: Safe Streets and Roads For All
Deadline: May 26, 2026
The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program funds regional, local and Tribal initiatives to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. The funds support two types of grants: planning and demonstration grants to develop, complete or supplement a Safety Action Plan, and implementation grants. Nearly $1 billion in funding is available for this cycle.
Get more information about funding sources for trails and active transportation on RTC’s Federal Funding Resources page.
Resources
| SACOG: 2026 Regional Trails Implementation Strategy The Sacramento Area Council of Governments recently published the implementation strategy for their regional trail network. The strategy focuses on actionable steps for funding, governance and implementation actions for the MPO to support member jurisdictions implementing elements of the trail network. Main Street America: How to Play a Role in Advancing Transportation Ideas Reflecting on Main Street America’s work on the Thriving Communities Project, which was supported by RTC, this blog gives an overview of ways that diverse partners from communities across the country have engaged in local planning efforts. NACTO: How D.C. Found Room for Everyone on a Narrow Street This new case study from the National Association of City Transportation Officials provides recommendations for implementing bicycle infrastructure on narrow, low volume streets, an important option for increased safety and connecting communities to regional trails. Headwaters Economics: The Outdoor Recreation Economy by State This updated report provides new data about the scale and scope of the outdoor recreation economy in every state, providing crucial data to support continued advocacy for investments in the outdoor economy and infrastructure, like trails, on which it depends. RTC: TrailNation Summit Resources Looking for a digital copy of the TrailNation Workbook or any of the resources mentioned at the summit this past October to assist with your work? RTC can help! Please reach out to Mary Ellen Koontz, TrailNation Collaborative lead, at maryellen@railstotrails.org. RTC: In Case You Missed It: 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 our “Innovative State Legislative Approaches” and “State DOT Engagement” sessions with RTC’s policy team as well as recordings of the 2025 TrailNation Summit plenary sessions! |
Other Events You Won’t Want to Miss!
League of American Bicyclists: Organizing Bike Audis: A Community Advocate’s Guide | Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Next City: Bring Federal ORLP Park Funding to Your City | Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Maryland Department of Planning: Heritage Areas: A Tool of Local and Regional Planning | Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Federal Reserve Bank: Demystifying Capital Investment in Rural Communities | Wednesday, May 20, 2026
American Trails: Aggregate Trail Surfacing: From Fundamentals to Field Application | Thursday, May 28, 2026
Active Transportation Data Working Group: Conversations with Colleagues – Infrastructure | Tuesday, June 16, 2026
APBP: Pedestrian Safety Planning in America’s Heartland | Wednesday, June 17, 2026
American Trails: Turning Trail Work Into Measurable Impact | Thursday, June 25
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.
