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About Rails-to-Trails Conservancy:
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is a nonprofit organization working with communities to preserve unused rail corridors by transforming them into trails, enhancing the health of America's environment, economy, neighborhoods and people.
Our Mission
The mission of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people.
How We Accomplish Our Mission
Everything we do at Rails-to-Trails Conservancy supports local efforts to transform the dream of a trail into a tangible community asset.
- We promote policy at the national and state levels to create the conditions that make trail building possible.
- We are a leader in the fight to protect the federal Transportation Enhancements program, which is the largest source of funding for trail development.
- We steadfastly defend the federal railbanking statute in the Congress and the courts as an essential tool to preserve unused rail corridors. Read about our latest defense of railbanking>>
- We catalyze action at the local level by providing information, technical assistance and training that local trail builders need to succeed.
- We provide leadership to the trails and greenways movement.
Learn more about what we do>>
Our Successes
Since its beginning in 1986, RTC has achieved notable success in promoting and protecting favorable legislation and providing assistance and leadership to the trails and greenways community.
- RTC played a lead role in the passage of the Transportation Enhancements (TE) provisions of Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) in 1991 and Transportation Efficiency Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) in 1998, which allocated $1.8 billion for bicycle and pedestrian facilities including rail-trails. Additionally, RTC led the effort that protected TE from attempts in the U.S. House of Representatives to eliminate the funding in 2003.
- In 1998, RTC was awarded a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration that established the National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse (NTEC). NTEC compiles and disseminates information related to transportation enhancements via the Internet, reports and newsletters. The cooperative agreement was renewed in 2002 in the amount of $1.2 million.
- In 1990 RTC successfully defended, in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, the constitutionality of the railbanking provision of the National Trails System Act in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice. Since that time RTC has continuously defended this essential tool for preserving rail corridors against attacks in Congress.
Quick Facts
- RTC opened its doors February 7, 1986.
- RTC is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with regional offices in California (Western Region), Ohio (Midwestern Region) and Pennsylvania (Northeastern Region), and a state office in Florida.
- RTC has assisted hundreds of communities and rail-trail advocates in building nearly 13,935 miles of rail-trails.
- RTC has more than 100,000 members and supporters.
- RTC's Trails and Greenways Clearinghouse is the definitive online resource for trail builders and trail advocates for online rail-trail technical assistance.
- RTC received the Presidential Award for Sustainable Development in 1996.
Financial Information
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible. RTC publishes detailed financial summary information as a part of its annual reports, and financial disclosure information.
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