Regional Trail Grants

The 2026 Grant Round is now open!
Applications are due Friday, February 20, 2026.

Funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and administered by WeConservePA, Regional Trail Workshop Grants are awarded to units of local government or nonprofit organizations having 501 (c)(3) status. These grants support high-quality educational programming and safety training directly related to land trails, water trails, and greenways.

Regional Trail Workshop Grants reimburse up to 80% of the total eligible project costs directly associated with each workshop, with a maximum reimbursement of $5,000 and require at least a 20% match of the total project cost from the applying organization. Grantee match cannot come from other grants managed or distributed through the DCNR or WeConservePA. Regional trail grant funds also cannot be used as match for other DCNR or WeConservePA funded projects. Grantees are responsible for all remaining workshop costs. Only one grant is awarded per organization per year. If awarded, only expenses accrued up to September 30, 2026, will be eligible for reimbursement.

Program Eligibility

Programs eligible for grant funding include the delivery of:

  • Trail safety education programs or trail-related environmental education programs, including programs promoting environmental protection, for trail managers, volunteers, or trail users.
  • Training on improving trail accessibility and sustainability for trail managers or volunteers.
  • Training on planning, design, construction, and maintenance of trails for trail managers and volunteers (because each of these steps can relate directly to trail safety and environmental protection.)

Expenses NOT eligible for reimbursement under the grant include:

  • Volunteer workdays and community festival expenses are not eligible for grant funding or use as match, although a training subcomponent occurring concurrently with or as part of the event may be.
  • The production of trail system maps and/or
  • The purchase of trail tools, technology, licenses, or equipment that cannot be directly tied to the workshop awarded a Regional Trail Workshop Grant.

Questions can be directed to Emily Gates at egates@weconservepa.org  or 717.219.4074.

Apply Here: Regional Trail Workshop Grant Application

Previous Grant Recipients

These grants are made possible through funds granted through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). FHWA provides funds to states to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for motorized and non-motorized recreational trail uses. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has been designated as the state agency responsible for administering this federal program in Pennsylvania.