Funding ideas from America's trails

Get creative! That's the advice that successful trails activists invariably give. Finding funds for trails and conservation projects is the ultimate creative challenge. Here are some suggestions on trails funding from across the nation:

• The most important tool for raising funds for South Dakota's George S. Mickelson Trail has been the Bridge Builder Program. It allows individuals or businesses to adopt a bridge by helping fund its construction. To date, 72 of the trail's 97 bridges have been adopted. Bridges cost between $3,000 and $21,000 depending upon length. Information: Susan Edwards, Executive Director of the Parks and Wildlife Foundation (605) 773-4503; e-mail: susane@gfp.state.sd.us
  
• The Lilly Endowment provided a $4.2 million grant for the Monon rail trail and a trail along the Water Company Canal in Indianapolis. The philanthropy, which is based in the city, noted that "much of the Lilly Endowment's work in this community is dedicated to providing pleasant and agreeable public spaces for recreation."
  
• The state of Illinois has a funding program derived from motor vehicle title transfer fee revenues. This provides over $5 million each year for local and state projects, primarily trails and bike paths. (From Greensense)
  
• Nebraska's 23 Natural Resource Districts build and maintain a considerable mileage of trails as part of larger conservation goals. A local tax levy supports the districts, which take a watershed-based approach to protecting and managing land, water, and wildlife resources throughout the state. At least one district has also received a major ISTEA grant to aid in trail acquisition and development.
  
• "Gift catalogues" are one way to publicize the many ways that trail projects need money. We've received gift catalogues recently from three trail organizations: the Eagle County Trail System and the Cache La Poudre River Trail in Colorado, and the Wood River Trails in Idaho. Contributors can purchase drinking fountains, interpretive signs, trees, wildflowers, or give to the endowment fund. You can also buy a foot of paved trail for $100 or a mile of parallel equestrian trail for $5,000. Those who would like to make a bigger impact can also restore an old railroad trestle for $30,000 or build a serious missing link of trail for $75,000.
  
• A dinner and auction by Trails 2000, an advocacy group in Durango, Colorado, raised $30,000. This remarkable sum didn't come from selling water bottles. Event organizers came up with many creative donations, from paintings and photographs to airline tickets. A "Romantic Get-Away" in a bed and breakfast also included locally-made chocolates and a gift certificate to a lingerie store. (From IMBA Trail News)
  
• In Iowa, the Amana Refrigeration Company gave $15,000 to Amana Colonies Trails, Inc., for trail development. The company pledged another $10,000 in matching funds.
  
• In southern Indiana, the city of Evansville is the beneficiary of funding from the local Casino Aztar. The riverboat casino will give the Pigeon Creek Greenway $50,000 a year over a five-year period, and in addition is contributing $25,000 toward construction of the bike path.
  
• A partnership between American Honda Motor Company and Tread Lightly! resulted in the Restoration for Recreation program. The first project restored a three mile stretch of damaged and heavily-used trails along Utah's Wasatch Front near Farmington. American Honda donated $100,000 to the program, which will target areas of multiple use that need serious restoration work. Information: Tread Lightly!, 298 24th St., Ste. 325, Ogden UT 84401; (800) 966-9900; Fax (801) 621-8633; on the Web at: www.treadlightly.org
  
• Another major corporate project is the Subaru/ IMBA Trail Care Crew. During 1997 the crew travelled to 40 states and worked on more than 100 projects with local volunteers. Information: Scott Gwozdz, International Mountain Bicycling Assoc., PO Box 7578, Boulder CO 80306; (303) 545-9011; e-mail: imbascott@aol.com
  
• Amid much current discussion on fees, the Blaine County Recreation District in Idaho shows that the public will pay significantly for a really good groomed system of cross-country ski trails. Skiers bought over 8,000 day passes and 2,600 season passes (prices range from $70 for singles to $130 for a family) for the North Valley Trail System groomed trails. With a ski season of nearly four months, the District also provides a trail condition hotline. Information: Blaine County Recreation District, PO Box 297, Hailey ID 83333; (208) 788-2117.

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