August 01, 2019Outdoor RecreationState GovernmentTechnical AssistanceLocal GovernmentTribal GovernmentPlanningConservationNonprofitsProject Design

Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program

By National Parks Service

The National Parks Service’s (NPS) River, Trails and Conservation Assistance program supports community-led natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation projects across the nation by providing a wide range of services and skills.

About

Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program provides technical assistance to help communities develop bike paths, water trails, parks or other outdoor opportunities to make communities healthier and more livable.

NPS planning professionals help communities realize their conservation and outdoor recreation vision. NPS share their expertise, through staff time, to turn ideas into reality.

Projects are typically within the following focus areas:

  1. Improved access to outdoor recreation and parks to support healthy lifestyles
  2. Strengthen conservation and stewardship of public lands, waterways and wildlife habitat
  3. Connecting young people to the outdoors to develop lifelong appreciation of nature
  4. Develop and strengthen effective and sustainable community organizations and partner groups
  5. Facilitate strategic planning and collaboration between national parks and communities to achieve shared goals.

 Project Examples

SET Confluence Region Trails Plan, Missouri

This project identifies existing, planned and potential trail routes and connections in the Confluence region in order to create a trail network plan to connect significant areas of the three-county area.

Oliver Reservoir Recreation Area Enhancements, Nebraska

This project evaluated constructing electrical campsites, dump stations and a bathhouse at Oliver Reservoir and adding a trail system. The NPS provided direction and guidance by identifying funding sources, priority setting, consensus building, designing community outreach, and planning.

More Info/Resources

RTCA Webpage Application Information Application Guidelines and Form Projects Search Page
Consult your community’s attorney and financial advisors prior to moving forward with any of these funding options. Any reference in this website to any person, or organization, or activities, products, or services related to such person or organization, or any linkages from this website to the website of another party, do not constitute or imply the endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of companies or organizations.