Rails To Trails Conservancy

Trail development: since its inception, Rails To Trails Conservancy has worked To reimagine public corridors and rights of way To create safe ways for people To walk, bike and be active outside - creating equitable, vibrant public spaces that engage, inspire, and empower communities from coast To coast. This work embodies best practices and leading-edge initiatives To guide trail development in ways that promote community engagement and equitable distribution of Trails, bring innovation To trail development and planning, prioritize trail networks and the connections that Trails can deliver between people and places.through our trailnation portfolio of projects, the Conservancy is creating national models that showcase the outsized benefits that connected Trails and active transportation routes can deliver locally, regionally and nationally. The portfolio is focused on eight places across the country that are diverse in their geography, culture, size, and scope - southeast Wisconsin, the san francisco bay area, the industrial heartland (western Pennsylvania, west Virginia, Ohio and new york state), greater philadelphia, baltimore, Washington, d.c., miami and new england. The lessons from trailnation are shared among the Conservancy's trailnation collaborative, a nationwide peer learning community that brings together advocates, leaders, and professionals from across disciplines To establish and accelerate trail networks across america. The collaborative provides proven tools, methods, and resources, combined with the Conservancy's expertise and network of partners across the country, To accelerate the development of connected trail systems.the great american rail trail is a flagship trail development project. It will be the nation's first cross-country multiuse trail, stretching more than 3,700 miles between Washington, d.c., and Washington state. This trail is an iconic piece of american infrastructure that will connect thousands of miles of rail-trails and other multiuse Trails, serving tens of millions of people living along the route as well as those who visit the trail from around the country and the world. The Conservancy provides the national leadership and on the ground support - the work To organize people, plans, and ideas; trail planning and community engagement; and the advocacy and marketing To eventually complete the great american rail trail.the Conservancy continues To support trail builders nationwide in several ways, including managing an early warning system To notify stakeholders of upcoming railway abandonments; creating statewide trail inventories and development plans; providing technical assistance and grants for local trail development and management projects; and providing best practices training and education.

Trail policy: as the nation's foremost advocacy organization for Trails and active transportation, the Conservancy seeks To grow and safeguard public funding for Trails, walking and bicycling at every level - federal, state and local - ensuring the investments needed To create a transformative 21st century active transportation system in america and promoting policies that make trail building possible.at the federal level, the Conservancy leads efforts To grow and protect the legacy transportation alternatives program (which includes the recreational Trails program) - the largest source of funding for trail development and maintenance - and advocates for innovations in public funding including championing the active transportation infrastructure investment program, which establishes competitive grants that will strategically invest in projects that connect Trails and active transportation infrastructure.as the country's only national organization solely committed To defending the preservation of former railroad corridors for continued public use, the Conservancy has helped shape the legal framework around railtrails and continues To defend the federal railbanking statute in congress and the courts as an essential tool To preserve unused rail corridors. The Conservancy also monitors litigation on cases involving enforcement of federal laws related To railbanking.

Public information/events: the Conservancy serves as the voice of the trail'Trails's movement, speaking out about the transformative power of Trails, encouraging their use, and generating demand for Trails nationwide. The Conservancy's flagship initiative, traillink.com served millions of visitors in 2024 providing access To more than 5,300 Trails representing 41,000 miles through its website and fivestar rated apps. This trail content is also offered in a series of print guidebooks.through storytelling and direct engagement, the Conservancy shares information about Trails across a variety of public channels that collectively reach millions of people, including its magazine, monthly enews, social media, website, news media and publications. The Conservancy also spearheads trail use campaigns and events designed To engage and inspire the public To use Trails, including our celebrate Trails day event, trail moments campaign and share the trail campaign.

Member programs: in addition To the programs provided through public information and education, the Conservancy also digitizes member and constituent information in alignment with the organization's comprehensive gis database of more than 45,000 miles of Trails, creating a centralized resource that assists the organization in identifying opportunities for linking trail systems, and mobilizing grassroots support of trail projects. Other activities include delivery of member benefit and service programs.

Research: the Conservancy's research program focuses on creating innovative tools that empower communities To advance trail systems in their cities, towns and regions, while also monitoring the benefits Trails bring To communities, the impact Trails have on people and places, and the implementation of state and federal programs that provide the funding and resources To build and maintain Trails.