November 2024 Newsletter
RTC’s TrailNation™ Collaborative is a multidisciplinary learning community for anyone interested in working in trail and active transportation. Join the email list.
Spotlight Virtual Event: Working with Railroads Series
Join us for our two-part Working with Railroads webinar series, where we will explore strategies for building productive partnerships and navigating the challenges of rail-trail acquisitions, such as managing appraisals, complex negotiations and railbanking.
Whether you’re a trail developer or advocate, this series is an invaluable opportunity to gain practical insights from industry experts and Rails to Trails Conservancy’s seasoned professionals. You’ll learn how to foster successful collaborations with railroads and ensure your rail-trail projects are set up for success.
Part 1: Productive Partnerships for Successful ProjectsÂ
Wednesday, Nov. 13, 1-2 pm ETÂ
Learn how to develop productive partnerships between local trail managers and railroads for successful rail-trail projects. Panelists include Damien D’Anna, Director of Real Estate Sales & Leasing at CSX Transportation Inc., and Tim Bartlett, Executive Director of Urbana, IL Park District.
Part 2: Expert Q&A Dialogue with Team RTCÂ
Thursday, Nov. 21, 1-2 pm ETÂ
Submit your questions and hear from our expert panel, including Andrea Ferster, RTC’s general counsel and a national authority on railbanking. This is your chance to ask the experts about railbanking and rail-trail acquisitions. Â
Register today to secure your spot for both sessions!
Can’t make these sessions?
Explore RTC’s resources on railbanking and railroad partnerships in our recently updated Working With Railroads page in the Trail-Building Toolbox.
As we continue to track the policy reforms we advocated for—including plugging the leaky bucket of transfers out of the program, match assistance and technical assistance opportunities for high-needs communities, and more opportunities for connectivity—we are observing that the second year of BIL implementation shows somewhat stronger performance by states in program implementation.
Hurricane Helene Resources
The destruction caused by Hurricane Helene across the Southeast has deeply impacted many of the communities that are home to our members, partners and critical trail systems. Our thoughts are with everyone who has suffered devastation from this storm.
RTC has pulled together an initial list of recovery resources—information on accessing urgent aid, how people can help right now, and resources to support economic recovery and infrastructure rebuilding, including trails that are vital to tourism and economic development in these 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!
Working with Railroads Series Part 2: Expert Q&A Dialogue with Team RTC
Thursday, Nov. 21, 1 pm ET | Register HereÂ
Pedal Forward: Preparing Advocacy Plans for 2025 State Legislative Sessions
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 1 pm ET | Register Here Â
Post-Election Landscape: Next Steps for the Trail and Active Transportation Movement
Tuesday, Dec. 3, 1 pm ETÂ | Register Here Â
Advocating for a High Performing Transportation Alternatives Program
Monday, Dec. 9, 1 pm ETÂ | Register HereÂ
Funding Opportunities
NOW OPEN: Inflation Reduction Act Community Change Grants Program
Deadline: Thursday, Nov. 21
The EPA’s Community Change Grants fund environmental and climate justice activities to benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges.
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.
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. If you are eligible for Round 1, RTC encourages you to apply for an easy opportunity to advance active transportation in your community. Round 2 will be decided by a new administration according to criteria and priorities yet to be determined.
Get more information about funding sources for trails and active transportation on RTC’s Federal Funding Resources page.
Resources
Rails to Trails Conservancy: Disaster Recovery Resources
In response to destruction across the Southeast this hurricane season, RTC has pulled together an initial list of recovery resources—information on accessing urgent aid, how people can help right now, and resources to support economic recovery and infrastructure rebuilding, including trails that are vital to tourism and economic development in these communities.
Bay Area Trails Collaborative: Trail Talk on MicromobilityÂ
The Bay Area Trails Collaborative, an RTC TrailNation project, recently hosted experts from Alta Planning + Design to talk about best practice regarding micromobility use on trails, including tips to help manage speed and user conflicts.
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!
Small Business Anti-Displacement Network: 2024 Virtual Summit on Community Ownership
Thursday, Nov. 14 | Register
PeopleForBikes: Fun and Effective Community Engagement Strategies
Monday, Nov. 18 | Register
APBP: Multi-benefit Corridors: Designing Our Streets for Multisystem Benefits
Wednesday, Nov. 20 | Register
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.