Frequently Asked Questions How can the the Rivers & Trails program help local groups with a conservation project? What is "locally-led conservation"? Does Rivers & Trails give grants? Does Rivers & Trails decide what rivers or trails should be conserved? Will Rivers & Trails own or manage the land? What is a facilitator and why is one crucial to a project's success? Why does Rivers & Trails encourage local groups to include as many partners as possible for each project? What's a typical group with whom Rivers & Trails works? How can I tell if Rivers & Trails could help my local group with a conservation project?

"Through the Rivers & Trails program, the National Park Service partners with local communities and government agencies to promote the parks and open spaces." - Fran Mainella, National Park Service Director

Q.How can the Rivers & Trails program help local groups with a conservation project?

A. Rivers & Trails staff assistance includes help in building partnerships to achieve community-set goals, assessing resources, developing concept plans, engaging public participation, and identifying potential sources of funding. Project partners may be non-profit organizations, community groups, tribes or tribal governments, and local, State, or federal government agencies. Federal agencies may be the lead partner only in collaboration with a nonfederal partner. Assistance is for one year and may be renewed for a second year if warranted. Learn more about our application guidelines.

Q.What is "locally-led conservation"?

A. Locally-led conservation places the responsibility for decision-making about conservation matters in the hands of the residents of the community. Believing that the best plans are made by local residents, the Rivers & Trails program supports those local groups whose projects offer extensive public involvement.

 
Q. Does Rivers & Trails give grants?

A. No, Rivers & Trails does not give grants or loans. Rather, the program's 90 staff are its greatest asset. Instead of money, Rivers & Trails supplies a staff person with extensive experience in community-based conservation to work with a local group on a project.

 
Q. Does Rivers & Trails decide what rivers or trails should be conserved?

A. No. Local groups select the trails or rivers that they would like to conserve. These local groups then ask Rivers & Trails to join them to work on their local conservation project.

 
Q. Will Rivers & Trails own or manage the land?

A. No. Rivers & Trails does not own or manage any of the resources they help local groups protect; that is the job of the local group.

 
Q. What is a facilitator and why is one crucial to a project's success?

A. A facilitator helps groups with diverse interests reach consensus on a plan of action. Since most conservation projects cross several jurisdictions and involve numerous groups, they tend to be complex and need a good facilitator, especially as a project is just getting started.

Rivers & Trails staff are trained in facilitation and other techniques. As "outsiders" (e.g. not from the local area in which the local group or project is located), Rivers & Trails is uniquely poised to assume the role of facilitator, to insure that as many people from different parts of the community -- citizen and business groups, local and state government agencies, etc. -- are involved as possible in helping reach consensus on a plan of action.

Q. Why does Rivers & Trails encourage local groups to add as many partners as possible for each project?

A. More partners will mean more ideas from different perspectives, and hopefully, more supporters. Ultimately, the more partners a project has, the better the project, for it is likely to be one that everyone in the community can support.

 
Q. What's a typical group with whom Rivers & Trails works?

A. There is none. Conservation problems vary greatly, and so do the kinds of groups with whom Rivers & Trails works.

Rivers & Trail's core business is supporting river and trail groups. In the last few years, Rivers & Trails has helped over 300 local community projects each year.

 
Q. How can I tell if Rivers & Trails could help my local group with a conservation project?

A. Rivers & Trails staff are always available by telephone, mail, or e-mail, and are ready to discuss your project ideas or conservation challenge to determine if there might be a good match between your group's needs and Rivers & Trail's ability to help. Contact them anytime!