Funding Sources

Roads / Trails / Recreation

National Forest Foundation Wilderness grants

August 10, 2005, was a remarkable day for recreation advocates in the United States. President George W. Bush signed SAFETEA–LU, the five-year, $286.4 billion omnibus transportation bill which replaces TEA-21. The bill substantially increases funding for a number of recreation-related programs including the Recreational Trails Program, the National Scenic Byways Program, the Federal Lands Highway Program, the Transportation Enhancement Program, the Sportfishing and Recreational Boating Safety Act and funding for bicycle and pedestrian facility improvements. An estimated $1.5 billion per year will go toward outdoor-related programs overall, not including millions of dollars for specific “high priority” community trail and recreation projects throughout the nation.

This Federal Highway Administration site explains funding rules for a wide range of transportation enhancement activities (such as provision for pedestrians and bicycles, acquisition of scenic easements, landscaping, removal of outdoor advertising, and environmental mitigation to address water pollution due to highway runoff). Project applicants are generally communities or other forms of local government.

PTT Grants are offered through the National Park Service National Center for Preservation Technology and Training and are designed to advance the practice of preservation and conservation.

Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Provides technical assistance to help citizens and community leaders plan and advance locally-led conservation projects.

The Conservation Fund site includes information about four awards, including the Eastman Kodak American Greenways Awards, (a partnership project of Kodak, The Conservation Fund, and the National Geographic Society), which provides small grants to stimulate the planning and design of greenways in communities throughout America.

Land Conservation is central to TPL's mission. Founded in 1972, the The Trust for Public Land is the only national nonprofit working exclusively to protect land for human enjoyment and well-being. TPL helps conserve land for recreation and spiritual nourishment and to improve the health and quality of life of American communities.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund provides money to federal, state, and local governments to purchase land, water, and wetlands, which become part of the national forests.

The National Scenic Byways Discretionary Grants program provides funding for byway-related projects each year. Use the online application to apply for funding, or search the archive for previously funded projects.

Trails and Greenways Clearinghouse – Funding Database
This searchable database contains information about a broad range of funding available for trails and greenways at the federal- and state-levels.