For Release: Immediately
BEND, OR – The Deschutes Trails Coalition announced today their 2022 Small Project Grants program for trail-focused projects within the Deschutes National Forest. For 2022, this program will award up to $30,000 for multiple small projects.
The Deschutes Trails Coalition is currently soliciting proposals for trails-focused small projects occurring on, or impacting, publicly accessible trails in the Deschutes National Forest. Project proposals that maintain or restore existing trails are encouraged. Grant applications are due by June 17, 2022. Applicants must be able to comply with any COVID mitigation protocols required by the State of Oregon and/or the Deschutes National Forest.
About Deschutes Trails Coalition
The purpose of the Deschutes Trails Coalition (DTC) is to ensure a future of sustainable trails in Central Oregon. The DTC includes representatives from the conservation, business, tourism, and trail-user communities who work together to make recommendations to envision and create a sustainable trail system throughout Central Oregon. Our values reflect “Four Pillars” of sustainability: ecological, economic, physical and social. Our organizational goals include:
- Strengthen relationships with land managers to advance sustainable trails in Central Oregon.
- Provide resources that support an increase in on-the-ground trail maintenance and development projects with our partners that align with the four pillars of sustainability.
- Foster a broader sense of stewardship for Central Oregon trails through consistent and inclusive education and outreach from DTC’s collective voice.
- Build the capacity of our coalition to ensure that underrepresented communities have equitable access to positive trail experiences.
- Establish DTC as a resource for diversifying, stabilizing and increasing trail funding sources that more closely align with the economic value they provide.
The Deschutes Trails Coalition (DTC) was initially formed in 2017 by the Deschutes National Forest, in partnership with Discover Your Forest. The two organizations invited a diversity of local and regional recreation stakeholders to come together to provide community leadership and support to organizations and land management agencies to address escalating challenges to our trail system. This community of stakeholders continues to drive the Coalition today. We know that a collaborative approach is necessary to address the environmental, social, economic, and physical needs of a sustainable trail system, and to cultivate a broader culture of trails stewardship. For more information on DTC please visit: https://www.deschutestrailscoalition.org