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Part of Public land management

Alberta’s Public Land Trails Grant Program

Apply for funding for projects to enhance public land recreation opportunities.

Important dates

Launch date: October 15, 2024

Application close date: December 13, 2024

Overview

Alberta’s Public Land Trails Grant Program was established in 2022 to support the management of recreation trails on public land by providing funding opportunities for recreation partners. Partnerships are important for sustainable trail management on public land.

Availability and funding

The Public Land Trails Grant Program provides funding for maintenance, capacity-building, and education or outreach projects that occur on:

  • public land outside of provincial parks
  • natural areas, wilderness areas and ecological reserves
  • public lands that are not under a public land disposition

The grant program does not:

  • apply to private land, municipal land or federal lands, such as national parks or First Nations Reserves
  • provide funding for capital expenditures, such as new bridges or equipment (valued over $5,000)

The program is focused on non-motorized trails as motorized trails are currently covered under a separate granting initiative in cooperation with the Alberta Snowmobile Association and the Alberta Off-Highway Vehicle Association.

Crown land refers to land in Alberta that is under the administration of the Minister of Forestry and Parks, and is regulated by the Public Lands Administration Regulation (PLAR). Provincial Crown land excludes federal, municipal and private land.

Partnerships

Providing funding to recreation organizations helps support local trail maintenance, improve user safety, promote healthy lifestyles, build ecological knowledge and contribute to local tourism.

These partnerships are important for sustainable trail management systems on public land.

Alberta’s Public Land Trails Grant Program:

  • enhances existing recreation opportunities
  • develops safe and sustainable recreational experiences and trail systems
  • operationalizes a new approach to managing recreation on public land
  • furthers the Alberta Crown Land Vision
  • develops partner expertise and capacity

Funding priorities

All projects that receive funding through Alberta’s Public Land Trails Grant Program must demonstrate clear and measurable benefits to sustainable recreation in Alberta.

Priority project focus

  • Increasing the ability of partner organizations to support government in achieving recreation outcomes in alignment with Trails Act.
  • Enhancement and maintenance of recreation infrastructure, services and amenities such as trails, camping areas and staging areas.
  • Supporting sustainable recreation, responsible use and protection of the environment.
  • Promotion of recreation through education and outreach.

Eligibility

  • Applicants

    Program applicants must be legal entities with appropriate experience, capacity and competency to deliver sustainable recreation program on public land, such as:

    • designated Trail Managers
    • volunteer recreational groups
    • non-governmental organizations
    • municipalities
    • Indigenous communities and organizations
    • any other group registered under the provincial Societies Act

    Prioritization of grant funding will be given to:

    • current or pending trail managers under the Trails Act
    • organizations currently working with the department that have proven capacity and a track record for project delivery
    • organizations that are leveraging other sources of funding

    Individuals are not eligible to receive funding under Alberta’s Public Land Trails Grant Program but are encouraged to participate and contribute to projects with eligible partners.

    Projects must have a completion date of March 31, 2026.

    One grant application per organization will be accepted. Applications may include projects for either an: 

    • individual site or trail, or both
    • multiple sites or trails, or both

  • Projects

    Projects eligible for funding must meet the following program outcomes:

    • maintenance/repairs of existing infrastructure (for example, trails, staging areas, camping areas, signage)
    • monitoring/maintenance of recreational use and services (for example, inspections, cleaning, servicing)
    • site rehabilitation and reclamation, addressing safety and/or environmental issues
    • increasing operational capacity through engagement, planning and/or administrative activities

    Grant funding is only available for projects that occur on public land.

    Applications may include projects for one individual site/trail or multiple sites/trails within a recreation unit under the same project plan. Improvements on non-motorized trails are a priority for program funding. Applications that demonstrate how other sources of funding are being leveraged, and how lead organizations have a proven track record for project delivery, will be prioritized.

  • Project costs

    Eligible project costs include, but are not limited to, the following:

    • salaries and benefits directly tied to staff hired for the proposed activity
    • travel-related expenses
    • operating expenses related to the project
    • goods and services to promote and deliver eligible activities
    • technical consulting and professional services
    • education, communication and outreach activities and products
    • monitoring and ongoing inspections within the proposed term

    Prior to completing and applying for consideration, applicants are encouraged to confirm by email well in advance of the application deadline the eligibility of projects which are not listed above.

  • Ineligible projects and project costs

    Multi-year projects, and projects that do not directly support the program priorities and outcomes or do not align with public land use and values will not be considered for funding under the program.

    Project costs not eligible for funding include:

    • construction of new facilities, infrastructure and trails
    • activities not directly supporting outdoor recreation on public land
    • establishing or contributing to a reserve/contingency account
    • donations to other organizations
    • refundable Goods and Services Tax (GST) payments
    • Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) payments
    • salary and benefits of existing staff that are funded by other sources
    • expenses incurred outside of the project term

How to apply

  • Step 1. Download and review the application materials

  • Step 2. Contact staff for application requirements

    During this contact, you will have an opportunity to ask questions and will receive a grant application resource guide to help complete your application.

    If your proposed project is in Northern Alberta (North of Highway 16), contact:

    Dave Hugelschaffer, Manager, Recreation, Education and Partnerships
    Phone: 780-712-1910
    Email: [email protected]

    If your proposed project is in Southern Alberta (South of Highway 16), contact:

    Brad Jones, Manager, Recreation, Education and Partnerships
    Phone: 403-355-4854
    Email: [email protected]

  • Step 3. Complete application and project proposal

    This includes a:

    • description of the project’s objectives, measurable outcomes, rationale, methodology and process for completing the work
    • project work plan or timeline, including milestone dates
    • description of project partners and their role in the project, including any letters of support
    • stakeholder and public communication plan, including recognition of the Government of Alberta’s contribution to the project
    • map or aerial photos clearly delineating project location(s)
    • scoping of any regulatory requirements and approvals that may influence proposal timelines
    • detailed project financial plan including a description of proposed expenses and expenses funded by alternative sources

  • Step 4. Submit your application package

    Submit the application, project proposal and any supporting information by email to [email protected].

After you apply

Eligible applications will be reviewed based on program objectives, funding priorities and Government of Alberta priorities. Not all applications that meet the established review criteria will be approved for funding.

Project selection criteria

Several criteria will be considered during the selection of eligible projects.

Notification of funding decision

Applicants will receive written notification of the decision regarding their application within 60 days of the application deadline. If your project is approved, you will work with the Program Coordinator to enter into a grant agreement prior to March 31. The agreement will outline expected timelines, budget, deliverables and conditions.

Funding recipients

If the grant is approved in whole or in part, the applicant agrees:

  • to enter into an agreement with the Government of Alberta to meet all requirements
  • to recognize the contribution of Government of Alberta funding
  • that the grant shall be used only for the purposes for which the grant application was approved
  • that the grant will be used only for those varied purposes – if the original application has been varied by the minister

Grant recipients will be expected to complete regular reports throughout the duration of their project.

The receipt of any grant disbursements is conditional upon the following documents being provided at the end of the grant cycle:

  • financial statements for the past fiscal year (April 1 to March 31)
  • proposed budget versus actual comparison, noting the budget expenditures made directly from the grant
  • business plan review, including a description of the program's outcome that shows how goals and objectives were met
  • samples of any Government of Alberta recognition

Only applicants that meet the reporting requirements will be considered for future funding.

Contact

Connect with us about Alberta’s Public Land Trails Grant Program:

Email: [email protected]

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