We are so excited to be offering this unique opportunity to support trails across Deschutes County!
In early 2022, the Deschutes Trails Coalition (DTC) proposed to the Deschutes County Commissioners to invest a portion of Transient Room Tax (TRT) funds* to support trails and trail-related infrastructure throughout Deschutes County. The Commissioners unanimously voted to contribute $600,000 of TRT funds toward this purpose. The DTC used these funds to develop the Deschutes Trails Coalition Stewardship Grant program.
This is a huge opportunity for Central Oregon trails, for the DTC and its partners, and for our community of trail users – locals and visitors alike. This substantial allocation of County funds acknowledges the value that trails bring to the local and regional economy, and recognizes that increased use and other factors are taking a toll on our trails. Existing and predicted funding sources are insufficient to address the basic maintenance needed to sustain our trails in their current state, let alone the growing deferred maintenance backlog.
The DTC Stewardship Grant program funds will be awarded to several high-value projects. Funds may be used for a broad range of projects, or individual phases of complex projects, including: environmental analysis, design, construction, and project implementation. Entities eligible to apply include non-profit organizations, federal, state, and local land management agencies, and businesses that partner with a land management agency or non-profit organization with a trail-related mission.
The grant application period will open September 12 with applications due October 5. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact DTC early in the process to discuss proposed projects. There will be an informational session hosted September 1, from noon to 1:00pm.
For more information about the DTC Stewardship Grant, please visit the Stewardship Grant page or email DTC’s Executive Director, Jana Johnson, at info@deschutestrailscoalition.org.
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