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National Web Site of RTCA Program
The Kernville Riverwalk provides community access to the Kern River across land owned by the Chamber of Commerce. The RTCA Program helped develop a trail and park improvement plan. Photo by NPS |
The National Park Service (NPS)
manages some of our nation’s most historic sites, scenic resources,
and critical natural areas. Through the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation
Assistance (RTCA) Program, NPS provides assistance to communities and
helps its partners conserve local natural resources and develop close-to-home
outdoor recreation opportunities. RTCA staff work in urban, rural, and
suburban communities to help applicants conserve rivers, preserve open
space, and develop trails and greenways. RTCA staff help on a variety
of natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation projects including
multi-use trails, single-purpose trails, greenways, water trails and blueways,
river corridor conservation, land protection, and park planning.
RTCA Program staff help achieve community-set goals through partnership-building, organizational development, assessing resources, developing concept plans, public education and participation, and identifying potential sources of funding. RTCA can assist with identification of public and private funding sources but does not provide direct grants. Project partners may be federal agencies, state or local agencies, tribes, non-profit organizations, or citizens’ groups. RTCA assistance is for one year and may be renewed for a second year if warranted.
RTCA’s strategic plan directs the program to provide assistance to projects that will create networks of trails, parks, rivers, greenways and open spaces, and projects that help NPS areas with gateway and adjacent natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation issues.
To learn more about how RTCA is serving the needs of partners and their projects in your state, download and read one of the fact sheets about California, Hawai’i, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, or Washington or the information handout.
For further information about RTCA and the work we are doing with nearly 300 communities and partners around the country, please visit our national web site at http://www.nps.gov/rtca
The RTCA Program is uniquely described by the following principles:
We empower people to conserve natural resources and create outdoor recreation opportunities.
We champion close to home conservation and recreation for multiple benefits including the health and well -being of all Americans.
We embrace a spirit of entrepreneurship and strategic thinking.
We work where we are invited.
We share our partners’ commitment to resource stewardship.
We support community-led projects through planning, partnerships and capacity building.
We provide technical skills rather than funding to produce tangible conservation results.
We provide high quality service to communities throughout the nation with the highest standards of professional integrity.
Along Kalama Park Whale Trail, volunteers install recycled glass groundcover below a whale sculpture. RTCA aided the south Maui community with outreach, meeting facilitation, site plan development, and formation of a citizen stewardship team.
Photo by Jerrie Sheppard