January 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.
Registration Now Open: Join Us at the TrailNation Summit
Rails to Trails Conservancy’s TrailNation™ Summit is where the vision of trail networks at the center of healthy, thriving communities becomes a reality.
Register now to join us Oct. 27–29, 2025, when RTC will gather 500 trail network visionaries, innovators and practitioners from across the country for two days of dynamic mobile workshops, immersive learning opportunities, and strategic conversations, and relationship building to unlock the power of trail networks for communities nationwide.
Together, we’ll dive into tangible steps and real-world examples for planning, building and expanding trail and active transportation networks that are transforming America’s towns, cities and regions.
You won’t want to miss this opportunity to come together to build the infrastructure of tomorrow—today.
Learn more and register today to secure early bird pricing.
RAISE And Reconnecting Communities Programs Awards Announced
Last week, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced $1.3 billion in RAISE grants and $544.6 million in Reconnecting Communities Program grants. Twenty percent of funding awarded under both programs—more than $362.3 million—went to projects that exclusively focus on trails and other walking and biking infrastructure, including trail and active transportation networks, according to an analysis by RTC.
Among the awards are several that underscore the important role of trails in community revitalization. This includes a $2 million award for a planning study for the underutilized Richmond Industrial Track in the Kensington area of Philadelphia, which is part of the advancing 800-mile Circuit Trails network. These rounds/announcements also include a $1.6 million award toward a planning study for a 7.2-mile rail-with-trail project at the heart of Milwaukee’s 30th Street Corridor, part of the 700-mile developing Route of the Badger trail network. Both projects are part of RTC’s TrailNation portfolio.
Inaugural ATIIP Awards Announced
In a milestone moment for the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP), the first round of grant awards was just announced, with 14 awards to networks serving rural, suburban, urban and tribal communities.
The first round for ATIIP was oversubscribed by applications at a ratio of 40 to 1, with more 350 communities requesting $1.8 billion and demonstrating the incredible importance of the program. RTC continues to call on Congress to fully fund the program through the appropriations process in fiscal years (FYs) 2025 and 2026, and we need your support to do so.
Here’s how you can help:
- If you’re able, please reach out to your members of Congress and ask them to support fully funding ATIIP through appropriations.
- Organize an event to showcase the developing trail and active transportation networks in your community. Celebrate Trails Day on April 26 is a great opportunity!
- Let us know if you submitted an ATIIP application and weren’t funded.
Learn more about the grants and check out RTC’s resource library for relevant talking points on how trail and active transportation networks supercharge communities.
Spotlight Your Work in Our Next Newsletter!
Submit your stories and innovations here—and we’ll plan to feature you to the Collaborative and possibly in our national publications!
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!
Designing Events That Engage Your Community with American Trails
Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025 | Register here
Building Collaborative Relationships: Bridging the Gap Between Planning and Advocacy
Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 | Register here
Celebrate Trails Date (in your community)
Saturday, April 26, 2025 | Learn more
TrailNation Summit (Cleveland, OH)
Monday, Oct. 27-Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025
Funding Opportunities
JUST ANNOUNCED: T-Mobile Hometown Grants
Deadline: Monday, March 31, 2025
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.
OPENING SOON: Rural and Tribal Community Technical Assistance Grants
Applications open: Tuesday, March 4, 2025
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT’s) Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program offers $27 million in technical assistance grants to rural and tribal communities for the planning and design phases of development for transportation projects. There is no local funding match required to participate in this program. Up to $10 million is designated for tribal applicants. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 2 p.m. ET.
Attend the informational webinar on Tuesday, Jan. 14, for more information.
JUST ANNOUNCED: 2025 RAISE Grants
Deadline: Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025
Applications for the FY 2025 Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program is now open with two rounds of funding. Round 2 is open through Jan. 30, will be decided by a new administration according to criteria and priorities yet to be determined.
Deadline: Monday, Feb. 24, 2025
This competitive grant program is designed to make transportation more resilient to rising sea levels, increased flooding, natural disasters and climate change.
Get more information about funding sources for trails and active transportation on RTC’s Federal Funding Resources page.
Resources
AASHTO: Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities, 5th edition
The updated edition of the “Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities,” published by AASHTO (the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials), has now been released, serving as important guidepost for the development of bikeways across the country. The new manual prioritizes facilities that are comfortable for all ages and abilities, including high comfort facilities, safe crossings and separated bike lanes.
Smart Growth America: 2025 Champions Institute
With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Active People, Healthy Nation Initiative, Smart Growth America’s Champions Institute provides mayors, city councilors, tribal chairpeople and councilors, and other local elected officials with knowledge and resources to support plans, policies, and funding that promote activity-friendly routes to everyday destinations. The deadline for next year’s Champions Institute is Friday, Jan. 17.
FHWA: Separated Bike Lanes on Higher Speed Roadways Toolkit
This new toolkit from the Federal Highway Administration includes policies, practices and procedures to help agencies implement safe, separated bicycle facilities on higher speed roads.
Rails to Trails Conservancy: Working with Railroads
Our recent webinar series and companion toolbox page provide practical strategies for building productive partnerships and navigating the challenges of rail-trail acquisitions, such as managing appraisals, complex negotiations and railbanking. Watch the two-part series here: Part 1 and Part 2, and visit the Working with the Railroads page for even more tips and guidance.
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!
American Trails: Trailblazing Accessibility: Ensuring Equitable Access to Natural Spaces for Those With Disabilities | Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025
American Trails: Increasing Physical Activity Through the Use of Trails and Greenways | Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025
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.