Rails to Trails Conservancy

The destruction across the Southeast caused by Hurricane Helene is catastrophic and it will be a long time before we fully understand its toll. We are hearing from partners about the extent of the damage to trail communities across Southern Appalachia and western Florida and expect the long-term implications for these small towns and rural economies will be significant. Our hearts are with everyone who has experienced such devastating loss because of this storm. RTC has compiled resources to help those who are seeking immediate aid, ways people can help right now, and resources to support economic recovery and infrastructure rebuilding: https://lnkd.in/emmANkip.

Did you know there are more than 150 trail networks developing across the U.S.? These networks are improving the quality of life in communities, strengthening local economies and are making places more resilient. Watch the recording of our webinar with Next City to learn more about the economic advantages and other benefits that come from building connected trail systems, featuring panelists: - Melodie Mendez, Latino Outdoors' New York & Northeast Regional Coordinator - Melinda Vonstein, MORPC's Greenway Planning Studio Lead - Liz Thorstensen, Rails to Trails Conservancy's Vice President of Trail Development Watch + learn more: https://lnkd.in/eQaDTXmq

Join us in honoring the 2024 Doppelt Family Rail-Trail Champion! This year, we are thrilled to name Sarah Clark Stuart, trails and transportation manager in the Philadelphia Department of Streets, the #RailTrailChampion for her visionary leadership that has been central to the progress of the Circuit Trails, an 860-miles-plus regional trail network that serves Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey—helping to inspire and advance trail networks and places to walk and ride nationwide. Learn more about Sarah's contributions to the trail movement and #OnTheCircuit: rtc.li/trail-champions!

We're continuing to celebrate 5 years of progress made on the Great American Rail-Trail! This year, we're thrilled to have distributed 600 signs that will help guide people on their way and highlight the places along the trail, thanks to grants and partnerships. You can learn more about trail, its route and how to support its completion, by visiting GreatAmericanRailTrail.org.

Reminder: Join us for our free webinar, "TrADE Talk: State Innovations for Transportation Alternatives" on Sept. 25! During this webinar with the TrailNation Collaborative, you will hear from Transportation Alternatives staff about how they are using their state’s Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funds. Learn more + Register: https://lnkd.in/eJunW_ZQ.

Sept. 25: You're invited to "TrADE Talk: State Innovations for Transportation Alternatives" a free webinar with the TrailNation™ Collaborative! Across the country, states are using federal Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) funding in innovative ways to make safe, equitable connections in communities both small and large. Rails to Trails Conservancy's Transportation Alternatives Data Exchange (TrADE) is the nation’s go-to transportation-funding data source for trails and active transportation, tracking this spending for tens of thousands of projects since in 1991. Join us to hear from state department of transportation (DOT) staff about how they are innovatively using their state’s TAP funds. Topics will include technical assistance pilot projects, the role of grant coordinators assisting local agencies, stipends for disadvantaged communities, and using safety funds to meet match requirements. Meet the panelists: - Jennifer Kramer, Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Active Transportation Manager - David Holien, Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) Transportation Alternatives Engineer - Michael Smith, Michigan Department of Transportation's TAP Manager Learn more + Register: https://ow.ly/741950TtLUV

Congratulations to the 2024 RTC Trail Grantees! This year, we've awarded more than $420,000 in grants to groups that are making a difference by creating opportunities and equitable access to safe spaces where people can walk, bike and be active outside in the communities where they live. Around the country, there's a rising demand and need for trail and active transportation networks that help people safely get outside and get around their communities, whether or not they drive. These grants support the work of 41 groups working to develop and activate local and regional trail networks, connecting more people to these spaces in neighborhoods across the country. Learn more about the #RTCGrant recipients by visiting: https://lnkd.in/e2Kr6eE6

#TeamRTC was excited to be a part of the inaugural Great Trails State Conference in North Carolina! Yvonne Mwangi, RTC's trail resources and planning manager, joined our partners at the East Coast Greenway Alliance in giving a presentation on "How National Trail Organizations Partner with local Groups to Get Trails on the Ground." Thank you to everyone who attended the session, and to The Great Trails State Coalition and to all who helped make possible the conference!

We are grateful to have attended the PolicyLink #EquitySummit2024 in Atlanta, Georgia! The summit brought together community leaders, policymakers, researchers, advocates and students to focus on and exchange ideas about equity and social justice. Connecting more people with trails to help create healthier, happier places is central to our mission, and this summit provided a terrific opportunity to learn about how we can continue to leading our work with equity and inclusion. https://lnkd.in/e-qYEY5i

It was great connecting with fellow bicycle, pedestrian, and other active transportation and recreation professionals and advocates at the 2024 Texas Trails and Active Transportation Conference (#TTAT2024)! We were excited to have the opportunity to share information about our work to create a nation connected by trails, including at sessions about: - "Building a Culture of Welcome Through Inclusive Marketing," a breakout with Brandi Horton, RTC's vice president of communications - "Choose Your Path: Strategies to Secure Local Bond Funding for Active Transportation," with Andrew N. Dupuy, RTC's director of state-level policy It was also terrific to spend time with members of our board, our partner Erick Cedeño (@TheBicycleNomad), and walking along the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail while at the conference!