Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA)

Helping communities develop nature-based recreation and conserve environmental, historic, and cultural resources

RTCA provides assistance to nonprofit organizations, community groups, Tribes or Tribal governments, and local or state government agencies. This assistance includes:

Building partnerships to achieve community-set goals
Assessing resources
Developing concept plans
Engaging public participation
Identifying potential sources of funding
Creating public outreach
Organizational development
Providing conservation and recreation information

National Park Service staff for the RTCA program are based in 35 field locations to make them more readily accessible to nonprofit organizations and local and state governments in all 50 states. In 2003, we assisted 315 community projects, which included trails and greenway planning; open space protection; river conservation; watershed planning; rail-trail conversions; and urban greening.

Each year, our partners protect over 1,000 miles of rivers, create 700 miles of trails, and conserve over 30,000 acres of open space. By working side by side with grassroots groups and local governments in communities throughout the country, the National Park Service is building a nationwide system of parks, open spaces, rivers, and trails.

Project Examples
RTCA assists locally led conservation efforts that:

Link parks, schoolyards, open spaces and residential areas with safe, quiet greenways
Put sparkle back into neglected waterways;
Restore significant cultural and historic assets
Recycle abandoned railways into trails that link neighborhoods and communities
Preserve open spaces for future generations

Application and Financial Information
Contact regional program staff to discuss your interest and seek guidance before applying. Applications for RTCA assistance are competitively evaluated by regional offices, based on how well the applications meet the following criteria:

A clear anticipated outcome leading to on-the-ground success
Commitment, cooperation, and cost-sharing by interested public agencies and nonprofit organizations
Opportunity for significant public involvement
Protection of significant natural and/or cultural resources and enhancement of outdoor recreational opportunities
Consistency with the National Park Service mission and RTCA goals

Eligibility, Uses, and Restrictions
Private nonprofit organizations and federal, state, and local government agencies are eligible for assistance. Proposals must demonstrate commitment of cost sharing that may include donations of time, cash, and services. Proposed assistance is generally for 1 to 2 years.

Contact
For more information on the RTCA program and procedures for requesting assistance, contact your regional National Park Service office or the Washington, DC, headquarters, as listed in this entry.

Alaska Region
2525 Gambell Street
Anchorage, AK 99503-2892
Phone: (907) 2572650

Intermountain Region
Intermountain Support Office
12795 West Alameda Parkway
P.O. Box 25287
Denver, CO 80225-0287
Phone: (303) 969-2855
CO, MT, UT and WY

Midwest Region
AR, IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD and WI
1709 Jackson Street
Omaha, NE 68102-2571
Phone: (330) 657-2950

Northeast Region
CT, ME , MA, NH, N J, NY, RI, and VT
Boston Support Office
15 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
Phone: (617) 223-5123

Pacific West Region
CA, HI, and NV
Pacific Great Basin Support Office
600 Harrison Street
Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94107-1372
Phone: (415) 427-1447

Southeast Region
AL, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, PR, SC, TN, and the VI
Atlanta Federal Center
1924 Building
100 Alabama Street, SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 562-3175

National Program Office
Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program
1849 C Street, Org Code 2220
Washington, DC 20240
Phone: (202) 354-6900; Fax: (202) 371-5179

Internet
www.ncrc.nps.gov/rtca

Last Updated January 18, 2005