Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Funding for Planning, Infrastructure & Access
What it Does
The Outdoor Rec & Tourism Trust Account was finalized in the 2024 legislative session to help governments and nonprofits guide and grow responsible outdoor recreation amenities for their communities.
What Can it Fund?
When up and running, the program will provide grants for the “planning, design, improvement, construction and maintenance of existing or new outdoor recreational infrastructure” and public access easements. Infrastructure is defined as “the physical facilities and structures that support outdoor recreational activities and experiences for residents and nonresidents, including, but not limited to, parking, staging areas, trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, boat launches, fishing piers, observation decks, wildlife viewing areas and visitor centers.”
Who Can Apply?
Governmental entities, the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribes, and nonprofit organizations.
What’s the Timeline?
The law goes into effect July 1 this year. We hope the Governor will appoint a governing board as soon as possible, so that the new Trust Account Board can start developing grant criteria and guidelines. This rule-making process follows the Wyoming Administrative Procedures Act, assuring public review and comment opportunity.
Formal signing of the WY Outdoor Rec & Tourism Trust bill into law with Governor Gordon - March, 2024
A skier takes on Exhibition run on Snow King Mountain above Jackson on March 6, 2024, after a storm brought 10 inches of snow in 24 hours. (Angus M. Thuermer Jr./WyoFile)
Coming Soon!
Provide comments during rule-making to help develop the grant program:
After the Trust Board is in place, they will develop and issue draft rules for the granting process, including topics such as public participation, criteria for ranking grants, meetings and other considerations. Stay in touch with us to be alerted about this comment time!
Funding Opportunities for Wyoming Outdoor Recreation
WY Recreational Trails Program Grants
The WY Trails program administers a federal grant program for trails: 30% for non-motorized, 30% motorized and 40% for diversified. Application process opens May 2024.
Go to: wyoparks.wyo.gov/index.php/rtp-grant-information-trails
Together Outdoors Inclusive Micro-Grant Program
Together Outdoors, a program of the Outdoor Recreacreation Roundtable has announced the opening of the application period of its Inclusive Micro-Grant Program. This is a funding opportunity for small and rural grassroots organizations that are key to creating a more inclusive and welcoming outdoor recreation environment.
One-time grants are available in the $5,000 - 10,000 range.
For more information: https://www.togetheroutdoors.com/grantprograms
Stay Tuned for News About Funding through the WY Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Trust!
The Wyoming legislature has created a grant program for governments and nonprofit organizations to help fund the planning, design, improvement, construction and maintenance of existing or new outdoor recreational infrastructure; or acquisition of public access easements necessary to enhance outdoor recreational infrastructure.
Right now, the Trust needs to recruit board members and develop their rules for grants and funding. Check out our special Outdoor Rec Trust page for on-going updates.