Land Conservation
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Ice Age National Scenic Trail
iStock / UWMadison
On this day in 1968, the National Trails System Act and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act were signed into law, enabling the protection of numerous treasured places for preservation and recreation. Now, many of these landscapes are managed and administered by the National Park Service and, like our national parks, the National Trails System and the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System face mounting challenges – including increased visitation, inconsistent funding, and the impacts of climate change.
To address the most critical issues identified by NPS, the National Park Foundation has awarded more than $1 million in grants through a Rivers and Trails RFP for the second year in a row. This year’s grantees will support collaborative conservation efforts, bolster the resiliency and understanding of ecosystems, improve visitor experiences, and help futureproof these iconic sites.
From wildlife conservation and research at Florida’s Wekiva Wild and Scenic River and the Wekiva Basin to volunteer-led trail maintenance and improvements at Wisconsin’s Ice Age National Scenic Trail and much more, each project will make a meaningful contribution to our shared commitment to protect and care for these places so they can be enjoyed by visitors now and in the future.
2024 Grant Recipients
Appalachian Trail Conservancy will enhance on-trail education and visitor experiences in the southern region of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail where an influx of hikers and detrimental trail impacts converge.
Arizona Trail Association will support U.S. military veteran volunteers conducting targeted trail maintenance and conservation projects on the Arizona National Scenic Trail where it passes through Saguaro National Park.
Arkansas Trail of Tears Association will install nine wayside exhibits, post trail and water route signs, and distribute educational materials to share the history of Indian Removal and the Trail of Tears on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.
Bureau of Land Management Gunnison Field Office will make improvements to the recreational, informational, and interpretive opportunities on the 42 miles of the Old Spanish National Historic Trail – including installing an updated information station and completing campground infrastructure improvements.
The Conservation Fund will preserve the scenic and wild landscape of Obed Wild & Scenic River by working to acquire and protect Clear Creek-Jeff Bridge Bluff — a high-priority, accessible tract of land valued for its viewshed, forest and habitat protection, and recreational opportunities enjoyed by thousands of climbers, paddlers, and environmental stewards every year.
Delaware Riverkeeper Network will train community scientists on the identification and biology of the rare and unique hornleaf riverweed (Podostemum ceratophyllum) found on the Lower Delaware Wild and Scenic River. They will also conduct paddle trips to map this species’ return and track its recovery within the river.
Friends of the Wekiva River, Inc. will revisit a pilot study that monitored bear movements, interactions, and behaviors in the face of ongoing threats and pressures in the Wekiva Wild and Scenic River and the Wekiva Basin.
Ice Age Trail Alliance will organize volunteer events to complete infrastructure improvements, create new dispersed camping areas for long-distance hikers, install improved wayfinding signage, and restore habitat along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area will repair deep washouts and ensure long-term sustainability of the Historic Railroad Tunnel – one of the most heavily visited trails in the Las Vegas Valley, a National Recreational Trail, and the longest natural surface (unpaved) wheelchair accessible trail in southern Nevada.
Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation will expand an augmented history initiative to enhance engagement along Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail with younger audiences with support from an educational software vendor.
Mississippi National River and Recreation Area will gauge the success of the restoration for endangered species like the long-eared bat, rusty patched bumble bee, and monarch butterfly through a BioBlitz project along the river, a National Water Trail.
Missouri National Recreational River will update 18 interpretive panel designs and add two new ones at 35 locations to incorporate Native American languages, remove potentially offensive language, and integrate Native American perspectives on the landscape.
Musconetcong Watershed Association will complete an alternative analysis for the existing dam at the Asbury Mill to identify a solution for both improved recreation and fish passage along the Musconetcong National Wild and Scenic River.
Nashua River Watershed Association will improve paddling access on the Nashua, Squannacook, and Nissitissit Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers by creating free online interactive maps for family-friendly/beginner trips, presenting two educational Paddling 101 programs, and expanding the Nashua River Canoe and Kayak Guide. They will also complete testing for E. coli at popular swimming areas to improve safety.
The National Park Trust will conduct an appraisal of 674 acres with outstanding recreational and natural resources on James River Island in the Missouri National Recreational River to advance protection of the property.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve will improve wayfinding and interpretation to enhance the hiker experience and help distribute visitation more evenly across three NPS sites, including the Bluestone National Scenic River.
Niobrara National Scenic River will promote and encourage Leave No Trace paddling etiquette and visitor safety through educational programs and digital outreach.
Northern Virginia Regional Commission will create a webinar series that provides land managers and other trail stakeholders along the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail with enhanced knowledge and skills including volunteer coordination, sustainable trail design principles, and vegetation management strategies.
OARS, Inc. will expand its river recreation programming on the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers with a new equity-focused volunteer program that introduces individuals and families from underserved communities to river recreation. They will also post enhanced maps and river signage.
The Partnership for the National Trails System will host a National Trails Lands Summit focused on system-wide strategic planning for land conservation and capacity. To complement the convening, they will also develop training modules with essential information on these topics geared toward agency staff and partners.
Trust for Public Land will lead important land acquisition and conservation projects in two states. In Wisconsin, TPL will acquire 311 acres for the North Country National Scenic Trail and convey the land to NPS to conserve important habitat while connecting two disparate parts of the trail. In Hawaii, TPL will work with Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail staff to identify and conserve parcels significant to the visitor experience and develop a website to both display the findings and provide training on land acquisition practices.
Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, in partnership with the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, will evaluate several physical removal methods for Japanese Mystery Snails (Cipangopaludina japonica) and develop public outreach materials to educate park visitors about how they can help control the spread of the snails.
White Clay Creek Watershed Association will partner with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to document historical (pre-human settlement) and current characteristics of the Wild & Scenic White Clay Creek, helping to establish baseline conditions of the historical ecosystem and provide a deeper understanding of the natural ecosystem variability and historical land use impacts.
Wild Rivers Conservancy of the St. Croix and Namekagon will create a custom visitor services van to deliver activities, exhibits, and displays for the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, with dedicated seasonal staff who will provide trip planning along with responsible recreation recommendations.
Wildlands Trust, Inc. will build a trailhead parking area, construct an accessible path and observation platform overlooking the river, improve the substandard existing boat launch site for non-motorized boats, and construct a riverwalk trail for the Taunton Wild and Scenic River.
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Land Conservation