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| Rails and Trails Conservancy | |
|---|---|
| Name | Rails and Trails Conservancy |
| Type | Nonprofit organization |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Focus | Rail trail conversion, trail advocacy, conservation |
Rails and Trails Conservancy is a nonprofit organization focused on converting railroad corridors into multi-use recreational trail systems across the United States. The organization engages in project development, policy advocacy, technical assistance, and research to support reuse of former railway rights-of-way and the creation of continuous regional and national trail network connections. Rails and Trails Conservancy works with federal, state, and local agencies, as well as private stakeholders, to advance trail projects and promote outdoor recreation, historic preservation, and active transportation.
Rails and Trails Conservancy was established in 1990 amid a broader movement that included the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy model, the passage of the National Trails System Act amendments, and the rise of railbanking practice under the Interstate Commerce Commission and later the Surface Transportation Board. Early initiatives intersected with projects such as the conversion of the High Line (New York City) corridor and the development of the Katy Trail State Park in Missouri. Founders drew on networks linked to the National Park Service, the American Trails organization, and local land trust groups to negotiate corridor acquisitions, easement transfers, and community planning processes. Through the 1990s and 2000s the group expanded collaborations with agencies including the Federal Highway Administration and the National Park Service, responding to shifts in federal funding such as the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century and the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act.
The mission emphasizes conversion of unused railroad corridors to trails that support recreation and nonmotorized transportation while preserving historic railroad heritage. Program areas include corridor identification, project feasibility, design guidance, land acquisition strategies, and community outreach tied to policies like the Land and Water Conservation Fund and state-level transportation planning processes. Initiatives coordinate with the National Park Service, the Federal Transit Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency on trail-adjacent conservation, resilience, and public health objectives. Educational offerings connect stakeholders with best practices from case studies such as the Great Allegheny Passage, the Capital Crescent Trail, and the High Line (New York City).
Rails and Trails Conservancy has supported numerous rail-to-trail conversions, ranging from urban greenways to rural long-distance corridors. Notable project models referenced include the Katy Trail State Park, the Great Allegheny Passage, and the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy-assisted corridors in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and California. Project support often involves working with state agencies like the California Department of Parks and Recreation, metropolitan planning organizations such as the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (San Francisco Bay Area), and municipal partners including the City of Chicago, the City of Portland, Oregon, and the City of Atlanta. Technical assistance addresses right-of-way negotiation, environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act, historic resource compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act, and funding through programs like the Transportation Alternatives Program.
Advocacy efforts align with conservation priorities represented by groups such as the Sierra Club, the The Nature Conservancy, and regional land trusts including Trust for Public Land. Policy engagement targets federal funding streams administered by the Federal Highway Administration and the National Park Service and legislative frameworks including the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century and subsequent reauthorizations. Conservation activities emphasize protection of riparian corridors, wildlife habitat, and cultural resources along corridors documented by entities like the National Register of Historic Places. Campaigns have coordinated with elected officials in the United States Congress, state legislatures, and local councils to secure easements, mitigation agreements, and stewardship commitments.
The organization produces research reports, mapping products, and toolkits for practitioners, drawing on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, and the National Park Service. Publications examine economic impact studies similar to analyses by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and municipal partners in cities like New York City, Seattle, and Minneapolis. Research topics include trail usage modeling, health outcomes related to active transportation studied by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and case studies on corridor conversion drawn from projects in Missouri, Pennsylvania, and California. Data visualizations integrate geographic information from the U.S. Geological Survey and regional planning agencies.
Partnership networks include federal agencies such as the National Park Service, state departments like the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, regional bodies including the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (San Francisco Bay Area), and nonprofit collaborators such as the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Trust for Public Land, and local land trust organizations. Funding sources have encompassed federal grant programs administered by the Federal Highway Administration, state recreation grants, private philanthropy from foundations similar to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Kresge Foundation, and corporate sponsorships allied with outdoor brands used by projects in regions like the Rocky Mountains and the Northeast United States.
Governance structures include a board of directors, an executive leadership team, and regional project staff, reflecting governance norms comparable to organizations like the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Nature Conservancy. Strategic planning processes interface with municipal planning departments in cities such as Chicago and Portland, Oregon and with statewide agencies including the California Department of Parks and Recreation and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Volunteer engagement and stewardship programs operate alongside municipal parks departments and community organizations including local historical societies and bike advocacy groups.
Category:Nonprofit organizations based in the United States