Trail-oriented development is a design and implementation approach that intentionally blurs the boundary between trails and nearby properties by creating and expanding adjacent amenities. Communities across the country are investing in local trails and reaping the benefits of active transportation. Whether residents use them for biking to work or walking for recreation, new trails add […]

This webinar, “Federal Transportation Bill: What It Means for You and How You Can Make an Impact,” explained why the upcoming federal surface transportation reauthorization is a critical moment for trails, walking, and biking, and how it will shape transportation funding and policy nationwide for years. Speakers from Rails to Trails Conservancy outlined current political dynamics in […]

This survey tool was developed and utilized to create a report to summarize the business impact of the Mon River Trails System (MRTS) ‐ a network of 48 miles of trails in north central West Virginia.The findings from the work are applicable for many audiences, including trail advocates, elected officials, economic development entities, and business owners. Author: RTC […]

This webinar explains how communities can use unobligated federal transportation funds—especially through the August redistribution process—to advance trail projects. Speakers Stephanie Pollack and Derek Shooster highlight how formula funds work, what makes a project eligible for redistribution, and why timing and readiness matter. They emphasize building strong partnerships with MPOs and state DOTs to position […]

The team at Rails to Trails Conservancy is thrilled to partner with Special Olympics for a Celebrate Trails Day session focused on strategies for creating outdoor spaces that foster inclusive opportunities for physical activity, recreation, and everyday life. This webinar explored strategies to engage people with and without intellectual disabilities (ID) in trail programming, strategies […]

Join Rails to Trails’ Changemaker for Trails campaign for our February training, “Celebrate Trails Day: How to Engage in a Day of Joy and Action.” During this training, Changemakers learned how to use Celebrate Trails Day, taking place in April 2026, as a tool to advocate for trails and send a message to elected officials at […]

Relationship building is at the heart of every successful engagement strategy and is most successful when you start early and often. This year’s mid-term elections offer an opportunity to get ahead of building relationships with potential new leaders and showcase the power of trails in your community. During this session, attendees heard from Wade Johnston, […]

Bicycles are a useful mode of transportation for short trips (one to three miles) beyond walkable distance but accessible without an automobile. Municipalities across North America are developing strategies to facilitate biking as a mode of transportation with a place-based mix of on-street facilities and bike-friendly policies. As these same communities leverage public transit assets […]

HeartLands Conservancy was hired as the project consultant to prepare this Master Plan for a county-wide bicycle and pedestrian trail system in Madison County, Illinois known as MCT Trails. This trail system is operated by the Agency for Community Transit (ACT), the private non-profit organization is responsible for operating the Madison County Transit (MCT) public […]