Partnerships form the foundation upon which the NER Conservation and Outdoor Recreation programs act to connect Americans to their natural and recreational heritage.
Through close and ongoing partnerships with sister federal and state agencies, regional and local offices, agencies, organizations, and individuals, we develop and protect an enhanced network of parks, trails, rivers, and other special places across the country for the enjoyment of all Americans.
The National Trails System is...the network of scenic, historic, and recreation trails created by the National Trails System Act of 1968. These trails provide for outdoor recreation needs, promote the enjoyment, appreciation, and preservation of open-air, outdoor areas and historic resources, and encourage public access and citizen involvement.
The National Park Service's Federal Lands to Parks Program helps communities create new parks and recreation areas by transferring surplus Federal land to state and local governments. This program helps ensure public access to properties and stewardship of the properties' natural, cultural and recreational resources. We invite you to learn more about us.
The Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program, also known as Rivers & Trails or RTCA, works with nonprofit organizations, community groups, tribes or tribal governments, and local, state, or federal government agencies to conserve rivers, preserve open space, and develop trails and greenways. The RTCA program implements the natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation mission of the the National Park Service in communities across America.
Rivers & Trails works in urban, rural, and suburban communities with the goal of helping communities achieve on-the-ground conservation successes for their projects. Our focus is on helping communities help themselves by providing expertise and experience from around the nation. From urban promenades to trails along abandoned railroad rights-of-way to wildlife corridors, our assistance in greenway efforts is wide ranging. Similarly, our assistance in river conservation spans downtown riverfronts to regional water trails to stream restoration.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund program provides matching grants to States and local governments for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. The program is intended to create and maintain a nationwide legacy of high quality recreation areas and facilities and to stimulate non-federal investments in the protection and maintenance of recreation resources across the United States.
