Frequently Asked Questions What is the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program? What types of assistance does the RTCA program provide? Does the RTCA program give grants or funding? What happens during a project? How do I apply for assistance? What RTCA work is happening in my community?

"Without RTCA's assistance, we would be years behind on trails planning and implementation. RTCA is an exceptional example of partnership." Bill Kiger, Chief of Interpretation, AK State Parks

What types of groups can partner with the RTCA program for assistance? How can I tell if Rivers & Trails staff could help my local group with a conservation or recreation project? Do Rivers & Trails staff decide what rivers or trails should be conserved? Will Rivers & Trails own or manage the land? Why does Rivers & Trails encourage local groups to include as many partners as possible for each project? What is "locally-led conservation"? What is a facilitator and why is one crucial to a project's success?

Q. What is the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program?

A. The Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program (also known as Rivers & Trails) works with a variety of partners across the United States to help them conserve rivers, preserve natural areas and develop trails and greenways. RTCA staff implement the natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation mission of the National Park Service in communities across America. Watch a video about our work helping create healthier communities.

Q. What types of assistance does the RTCA program provide?

A. The RTCA program provides technical assistance to its project partners. RTCA staff help with building partnerships to achieve community-defined goals, assessing resources, developing concept plans, engaging public participation, and identifying potential sources of funding for conservation and outdoor recreation projects. Assistance is provided for one year and may be renewed for a second year, if warranted. Read a project example.

Q. How do I apply for assistance?

A. Visit RTCA's application page for more information.

Q. What happens during a project?

A. Usually the two year work with RTCA staff takes a projects through a number of these steps: Recruit a strong local group of project advisors; identify group decision-making process; establish a group mission and community vision by consensus; create allies and understand issues; implement a small-scale, highly visible demonstration effort; set achievable goals, record progress, and build momentum by celebrating small steps.

Q. What RTCA work is happening in my community?

A. RTCA staff work in communities across the country, you can learn more about current efforts in your state on our state page.

Q. What types of groups can partner with the RTCA program for assistance?

A. 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.

Conservation problems vary greatly, and so do the kinds of groups with whom RTCA works. Sometimes, RTCA staff even help to create concervation groups from several interested partner organizations.

Q. How can I tell if Rivers & Trails staff could help my local group with a conservation or recreation 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. It is highly recommended that your organization contact RTCA staff before applying for assistance. Contact your local Rivers & Trails staff for more information.

Q. Does the RTCA program give grants?

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

Q. Do Rivers & Trails staff 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 RTCA staff to join them to work on their local conservation project. The RTCA program uses a yearly application process to determine which projects are selected for assistance. Learn more about our application guidelines.

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

A. No. The RTCA program does not own or manage any of the resources it helps local groups protect; that is the job of the local organization. RTCA staff can assist your organization in developing management goals and finding partners and funding sources for management activities, though.

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. In addition to local partners, RTCA staff can help your group partner with our national partners for additional support.

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 RTCA program supports those local groups whose projects offer extensive public involvement.

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.

RTCA 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), RTCA 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.