NGA OUTDOOR RECREATION LEARNING NETWORK

Advancing the outdoor economy and workforce, conservation and wellness.

About the Network

The NGA Outdoor Recreation Learning Network helps governors and their outdoor recreation staff explore strategies to leverage their unique natural, cultural and historical resources to improve access to and help promote economic, social and environmental benefits.

Through peer-to-peer exchanges, research and dialogue, the network highlights how states can best advance outdoor recreation and explore issues related to conservation, stewardship, education, workforce training, economic development, infrastructure, equity, inclusion, public health and wellness.


Fourth Annual Outdoor Recreation Learning Network Meeting

In May 2022, NGA’s Annual ORLN Policy Institute took place in Little Rock, Arkansas, and featured remarks from Stacy Hurst, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, and a special signing of the Confluence Accords that demonstrate a state’s commitment to conservation and stewardship, education and workforce training, economic development, and public health and wellness through outdoor recreation. View the meeting agenda.

Thanks to the generous support from ORLN sponsors, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), REI Foundation, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable and the VF Foundation, the Annual Policy Institute was a productive and meaningful convening for ORLN members. Learn more.

Opportunities

Confluence Of States

Launched in 2018 by a bipartisan group of eight trailblazing states, the Confluence of States was established in recognition of the impact and importance of the outdoor recreation industry and to provide a central point of contact for the diverse businesses, communities and individual constituents that rely on the continued health of our nation’s outdoor recreation industry. The Confluence of States promotes and advances four pillars and 12 common principles of the Outdoor Recreation Industry Confluence Accords which represent a best practice for all states to consider.


National Park Service One-Pagers


REI Cooperative Action Network

  • Raise your voice in the movement to protect and share life outdoors.

National Park Trust – #MyParkMyWhy

  • Highlighting the importance of parks and outdoor spaces in our daily lives and why they are special.

State Outdoor Recreation Learning Network

  • States & Territories in the Learning Network
  • States & Territories in the Learning Network with an Office
  • States & Territories in the Learning Network with an Office and Confluence Signatory
  • * Maryland has a governor-established task force
  • The Confluence Signatories are states who have committed to the pillars and principles contained in the Outdoor Recreation Industry Confluence Accords.

Federal Funding Opportunities

To assist Governors in their support for outdoor recreation NGA is providing the following information about current federal funding opportunities for outdoor recreation projects and activities. The first section contains links to open Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFO’s) from all federal sources. The second section contains funding sources for recreation from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, IIJA, and includes funding available to states and funds that are available only to federal agencies so you are aware of their resources. The third section includes descriptions of funding, technical assistance and planning programs regularly offered by six federal agencies- DOI-NPS, USDA, DOR, EDA, HUD and DOL.

Many of the program funds created by the IIJA will be distributed annually over five years so if you missed an application period this year, you can keep checking for NOFO’s from these programs. The NOFO’s for both IIJA programs and ongoing federal agency programs can be found on https://www.grants.gov/ by using a word search for “outdoor & recreation”.

Current Notices of Funding Opportunity

May 31, 2023 – Applications due for NPS’s Land and Water Conservation Fund Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program 

  • Federal Agency: Department of Interior
  • Bureau or Account: National Park Service
  • Funding amount: $192,000,000; ceiling $10,000,000; floor $300,000
  • Period of Availability: annually
  • Funding Mechanism: competitive grant program administered under the authority of the LWCF Act
  • New Program: No
  • Recipients: States; Only the State Lead Agency for the Land and Water Conservation Fund can submit applications for ORLP grants on behalf of themselves or other eligible sub-recipients (aka project sponsors), which include state agencies, local units of government (state political subdivisions such as cities, counties, and special purpose districts such as park districts), and federally-recognized Indian Tribes. To be eligible, a jurisdiction must have a population of at least 30,000 people and be located within an Urbanized Area as designated from the 2010 Census.
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Funding for Outdoor Recreation

Outdoor Recreation Funding Opportunities in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Link to Guidebook here.

Federal Funds Available for States

Federal Lands Access Program

  • Federal Agency: Department of Transportation
  • Bureau or Account: Federal Highway Administration
  • Funding amount: $1,487,875,000
  • Period of Availability: 4 years
  • Funding Mechanism: Formula Grant based on road mileage, number of bridges, land area, and visitation.
  • New Program: No
  • Recipients: States
  • Funding Levels from IIJA, 2022;
  • Description: The Federal Lands Access Program invests in the Nation’s infrastructure by funding and supporting transportation facilities owned by State, county, local, and Tribal governments, which provide access to lands owned and operated by the Federal Government.
  • Eligible Uses: Projects that improve multimodal transportation on roads, bridges, trails, transit systems, and other transportation facilities that access the Federal estate on infrastructure owned (or maintained) by States and local governments, with an emphasis on high-use Federal recreation sites and Federal economic generators.
  • Next Milestone: Forthcoming.

Formula Grants for Rural Areas

  • Federal Agency: Department of Transportation
  • Bureau or Account: Federal Transit Administration
  • Funding amount: $4,109,463,374. Approximately $586 million will also be provided from the Growing States formula factors.
  • Period of Availability: Year of Apportionment plus two years
  • Funding Mechanism: Formula funds are appropriated annually to states or tribal recipients. Applicants should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in their state for more information on the process of applying for assistance.
  • New Program: No
  • Recipients: States, Counties, Cities / Townships, Special Districts, Tribal Governments (federally recognized), Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, Nonprofits – without 501(c)(3) status, private for-profit Intercity Bus carriers
  • Eligible Uses: Planning, Capital, Operating Assistance
  • Next Milestone: Additional Round of Funding Allocated / Selections Announced in Fall 2022
  • Description: To improve, initiate, or continue public transportation service in nonurbanized areas (rural areas and small cities under 50,000 in population) and to provide technical assistance for rural transportation providers. The Section 5311 program supports both the maintenance of existing public transportation services and the expansion of those services through the following program goals: enhancing access in rural areas to health care, shopping, education, employment, public services, and recreation; assisting in the maintenance, development, improvement, and use of public transportation systems in rural areas; encouraging and facilitating the most efficient use of all transportation funds used to provide passenger transportation in rural areas through the coordination of programs and services; providing financial assistance to help carry out national goals related to mobility for all, including seniors, individuals with disabilities, and low-income individuals; increasing availability of transportation options through investments in intercity bus services; assisting in the development and support of intercity bus transportation; encouraging mobility management, employment-related transportation alternatives, joint development practices, and transit-oriented development; and providing for the participation of private transportation providers in rural public transportation. The Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program is a set-aside from the Formula Grants for Rural Areas program that consists of both a formula and competitive grant program for federally recognized Indian tribes or Alaska Native villages, groups, or communities in rural areas.

Watershed And Flood Prevention Operations

  • Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
  • Bureau or Account: National Resources Conservation Service
  • Funding amount: $500,000,000
  • Period of Availability: Available until expended
  • Funding Mechanism: Technical and financial assistance
  • New Program: No
  • Recipients: Local Sponsor or Legal Subdivision of State or Tribal Government. Eligible Sponsors Include Cities, Counties, Towns, Conservation Districts, or Any Federally Recognized Native American Tribe or Tribal Organization.
  • Description: Provides planning, design and construction of measures that address resource concerns in a watershed.
  • Eligible Uses: Flood Prevention, Watershed Protection, Public Recreation, Public Fish and Wildlife, Agricultural Water Management, Municipal and Industrial Water Supply, or Water Quality Management.
  • Next Milestone: Estimated application opening date, 1st quarter 2022.
  • Factsheet

Federal Funds Available for Federal Agencies

Formula Grants for Rural Areas

  • Federal Agency: Department of Transportation
  • Bureau or Account:  Federal Transit Administration
  • Funding amount
  • Period of Availability:  Funding is available until expended for total amount across entire Program ($905 million), but portions of the total are allocated to specific fiscal years, each with a different period of availability.
  • Funding Mechanism: Direct Federal Spending
  • New Program: Yes
  • Recipients: Federal
  • Description: Program Description; Funding to improve resilience of recreation sites on Federal lands, including Indian forest or range lands.
  • Eligible Uses: Projects to restore, prepare, or adapt recreation sites on Federal land that have experienced or may likely experience visitation and use beyond the carrying capacity of the sites.
  • Next Milestone: Additional Round of Funding Allocated / Selections Announced in 2023

Direct Federal Spending For Resilient Recreation Sites

  • Federal Agency: Department of Interior
  • Bureau or Account: Office of the Secretary
  • Funding amount: $ 45,000,000
  • Period of Availability:  Funding is available until expended for total amount across entire Program ($905 million), but portions of the total are allocated to specific fiscal years, each with a different period of availability.
  • Funding Mechanism: Direct Federal Spending
  • New Program: Yes
  • Recipients: Federal
  • Description: Program Description; Funding to improve resilience of recreation sites on Federal lands, including Indian forest or range lands.
  • Eligible Uses: Projects to restore, prepare, or adapt recreation sites on Federal land that have experienced or may likely experience visitation and use beyond the carrying capacity of the sites.
  • Next Milestone: Additional Round of Funding Allocated / Selections Announced in 2023

Federal Lands Transportation Program

(Funds for National Park Service)

  • Federal Agency: Department of Transportation
  • Bureau or Account: Federal Highway Administration
  • Funding amount: $1,731,187,250
  • Period of Availability: 4 years
  • Funding Mechanism: Federal Spending
  • New Program: No
  • Recipients: National Park Service
  • Description: The Federal Lands Transportation Program invests in the Nation’s infrastructure and supports critical transportation needs within the country’s transportation network by providing access within the national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, recreation areas, and other Federal public lands.
  • Eligible Uses: Projects that improve multimodal transportation on roads, bridges, trails, transit systems, and other transportation facilities within the Federal estate on infrastructure primarily owned (or maintained) by the Federal Government.
  • Next Milestone: Forthcoming.

Federal Lands Transportation Program

(Funding for U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)

  • Federal Agency: Department of Transportation
  • Bureau or Account: Federal Highway Administration
  • Funding amount: $180,000,000
  • Period of Availability: 4 year
  • Funding Mechanism: Federal Spending
  • New Program: No
  • Recipients: Federal Land Management Agencies
  • Next Milestone: First round of funds (Fiscal Year 2022) made available in spring 2022.
  • Description: The Federal Lands Transportation Program invests in the Nation’s infrastructure and supports critical transportation needs within the country’s transportation network by providing access within the national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, recreation areas, and other Federal public lands.
  • Eligible Uses: Projects that improve multimodal transportation on roads, bridges, trails, transit systems, and other transportation facilities within the Federal estate on infrastructure primarily owned (or maintained) by the Federal Government.

Federal Lands Transportation Program

(For other Federal Land Management Agencies)

  • Federal Agency: Department of Transportation
  • Bureau or Account: Federal Highway Administration
  • Funding amount: $153,637,750
  • Period of Availability: 4 years
  • Funding Mechanism: Competitive Grant
  • New Program: No
  • Recipients: Federal Land Management Agencies (other than US Fish & Wildlife and the National Park Service)
  • Description: The Federal Lands Transportation Program invests in the Nation’s infrastructure and supports critical transportation needs within the country’s transportation network by providing access within the national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, recreation areas, and other Federal public lands.
  • Eligible Uses: Projects that improve multimodal transportation on roads, bridges, trails, transit systems, and other transportation facilities within the Federal estate on infrastructure primarily owned (or maintained) by the Federal Government.
  • Next Milestone: First round of funds (Fiscal Year 2022) made available in spring 2022.

Federal Lands Transportation Program

(Funding for U.S. Forest Service)

  • Federal Agency: Department of Transportation
  • Bureau or Account: Federal Highway Administration
  • Funding amount: $130,000,000
  • Period of Availability: 4 years
  • Funding Mechanism: Direct federal spending
  • New Program: No
  • Recipients: Federal Land Management Agencies
  • Next Milestone: First round of funds (Fiscal Year 2022) made available in spring 2022.
  • Description: The Federal Lands Transportation Program invests in the Nation’s infrastructure and supports critical transportation needs within the country’s transportation network by providing access within the national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, recreation areas, and other Federal public lands.
  • Eligible Uses: Projects that improve multimodal transportation on roads, bridges, trails, transit systems, and other transportation facilities within the Federal estate on infrastructure primarily owned (or maintained) by the Federal Government.

Direct Federal Spending for Resilient Recreation Sites

  • Federal Agency: Department of the Interior
  • Bureau or Account: Office of the Secretary
  • Funding amount: $45,000,000
  • Period of Availability: Funding is available until expended for total amount across entire Program ($905 million), but portions of the total are allocated to specific Fiscal Years, each with a different period of availability
  • Funding Mechanism: Direct Federal Spending
  • New Program: Yes
  • Recipients: Federal
  • Description: Funding to improve resilience of recreation sites on Federal lands, including Indian forest or range lands
  • Eligible Uses: Projects to restore, prepare, or adapt recreation sites on Federal land, that have experienced or may likely experience visitation and use beyond the carrying capacity of the sites.

Recreation Sites

  • Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
  • Bureau or Account: Forest Service
  • Funding amount: $55,000,000
  • Period of Availability: Available until expended
  • Funding Mechanism: Direct Federal Spending
  • New Program: No
  • Recipients: Forest Service
  • Next Milestone: Announcing internal project investments for FY22 in September 2022.
  • Description: Recreation Management. The recreation program administers recreation sites, including campgrounds and day-use areas, and special use authorizations, such as ski lodges, resorts, and outfitter guides. This program provides recreational access to over 193 million acres on national forest lands containing more than 27,000 campgrounds, picnic areas, trailheads, and day-use areas; 220,000 miles of fishable streams; and 122 ski areas.
  • Eligible Uses: Increasing capacity for critical recreation operations, planning, services, and improvements, with particular emphasis on creating welcoming, sustainable, and equitable recreation opportunities for all Americans.
Ongoing Federal Agency Funding Programs for Outdoor Recreation

Department of Interior: National Park Service

DOI Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Programs  

State and Local Grant Funding – Land and Water Conservation Fund (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) (*probably the largest source of federal funds for implementing projects)

The State-side of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) provides 50:50 matching grants to States and through the States to local units of government for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities consistent with a required 5-year statewide plan articulating priority needs.

The Great American Outdoors Act, approved by Congress in 2020 established permanent, dedicated and mandatory funding for Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) at the authorized amount of $900 million annually (a 30% increase). Prior to the passage of GAOA, funding for LWCF relied on annual Congressional appropriations.

Since 1965 the LWCF has provided more than $5.2 billion through more than 44,000 grants for a wide variety of projects such as parks, sports and playfields, swimming and boating areas, trails, campgrounds, and similar. The Stateside LWCF program is comprised of two programs.

LWCF State-side Formula Grants are apportioned to each State, Territory, and Washington, D.C., based on a formula in the Act. Each State is responsible for administering competitions, selecting projects, and then submitting project applications to NPS for review and final decision on award. The grants are managed in each state by Governor appointed State Liaison Officers or by state statute. They can be used for land acquisition, development, acquisition/development, major rehabilitation and/or renovation.

To be eligible for funds, states must create recreation plan every 5 years and must hold and open project selection. A minimum 50% non-federal match is required, and lands must be open to the public permanently and without discrimination. On-going maintenance, operation and assurance of public access, and assurances of perpetual public access are the responsibility of state and local grantees. The state is required to conduct 5-year inspections.

The LWCF’s Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership grants program  is also funded through LWCF and is a separate and complementary grant program to the State-side formula grants program. Although funding similar kinds of activities, projects should target improving recreation opportunities for economically disadvantaged communities in larger urbanized areas that are under-served in terms of parks and other outdoor recreation resources.

To be eligible, a jurisdiction must have a population of at least 50,000 people and be located within an Urbanized Area as designated from the 2010 Census. Project sponsors must match the grant award 1:1 with non-federal dollars. States may apply for the grants, whether on behalf of themselves or eligible urban jurisdictions. The pre-applications will be submitted through the State lead agencies for LWCF. Interested jurisdictions should contact their state lead agency for LWCF.

Deadline for Application: May 31, 2023

NOFO: View Opportunity | GRANTS.GOV


Other Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Programs:

  • American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP) : ABPP Battlefield Land Acquisition Grants (BLAG), as authorized by 54 U.S.C. §308103 and 54 U.S.C. §200305, are available to States and local governments to acquire and preserve eligible American Revolution, War of 1812, and Civil War battlefield lands. Battlefield Interpretation Grants are awarded for projects that deploy technology to modernize and enhance battlefield interpretation and education at eligible Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War battlefield sites. These grants support critical stewardship functions by expanding access and engagement to these nationally significant sites and open spaces through more inclusive narratives and technologies. Battlefield Restoration Grants are awarded for restoration and resource management projects at eligible Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War battlefield sites. These grants support sustainable, community-led efforts to preserve and protect natural and cultural resources at nationally significant sites.
  • Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (CESCF) Land Acquisition Grants: CESCF Grants provide funds to States and Territories to work with private landowners, conservation organizations, and other non-Federal partners to protect and conserve Federally listed threatened and endangered species and the habitats on which these species depend.  LWCF funds two CESCF grant programs: Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition Grants and Recovery Land Acquisition Grants.
  • Highlands Conservation Act Grant Program: In 2004, Congress passed the Highlands Conservation Act, authorizing DOI, through FWS, to provide grant funding to eligible State agencies in the Highlands Region (CT, NJ, NY, PA) to purchase and conserve land from willing sellers. Land acquisition projects in the 3.4 million-acre Highlands Region prioritize the conservation of wildlife habitat for at-risk and threatened species as well as lands with important water, recreational, cultural, forest, and agricultural resources. This funding is appropriated annually under LWCF, and each grant is matched dollar for dollar by the recipient. The State Agency is the applicant and is the holder of the land or conservation easement.
  • Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance: NPS-RTCA assists communities and public land managers in developing or restoring parks, conservation areas, rivers, and wildlife habitats, as well as creating outdoor recreation opportunities and programs that engage future generations in the outdoors. NPS-RTCA does not provide financial assistance or monetary grants. As a collaborative partner, we provide professional services to help you achieve your conservation and outdoor recreation project vision. Through an annual application process, community groups, nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, national parks, and local, state and federal agencies can apply for NPS-RTCA technical assistance.

Department of Agriculture

USDA published a resource guide of their programs at Recreation Economy at USDA Economic Development Resources for Rural Communities This resource contains a complete list of programs at Rural Development, Forest Service, and National Institute for Food and Agriculture (description and links to individual programs) that can be used to support recreational economies in rural America. The guide addresses key factors necessary to build a sustainable recreational economy including natural resource management, conservation activities, infrastructure investment, business development and more.U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Community Development Initiative The Community Facilities Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) USDA is seeking grant applications for projects to improve housing, community facilities, and community and economic development in rural areas. These grants are awarded to help non-profit housing and community development organizations, low-income rural communities and federally recognized tribes support housing, community facilities and economic development projects. Application period closed April 19, 2022 : https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-facilities/rural-community-development-initiative-grants


Department of Transportation

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) provides funds to the States to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both nonmotorized and motorized recreational trail uses. The RTP is an assistance program of the Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Federal transportation funds benefit recreation including hiking, bicycling, in-line skating, equestrian use, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding, four-wheel driving, or using other off-road motorized vehicles.


Economic Development Administration

The Economic Adjustment Assistance Strategy and Implementation Grants (EAA) program provides a wide range of technical, planning, and public works and infrastructure assistance in regions experiencing adverse economic changes that may occur suddenly or over time. These adverse economic impacts may result from a steep decline in manufacturing employment following a plant closure, changing trade patterns, catastrophic natural disaster, a military base closure, or environmental changes and regulations. The EAA program can assist state and local entities in responding to a wide range of economic challenges through:

  • Strategy Grants to support the development, updating or refinement of a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).
  • Implementation Grants to support the execution of activities identified in a CEDS, such as infrastructure improvements, including site acquisition, site preparation, construction, rehabilitation and equipping of facilities.

The EAA program is EDA’s most flexible program. Under the EAA program, EDA can fund market and environmental studies, planning or construction grants, and capitalize or recapitalize revolving loan funds (RLFs) to help provide small businesses with the capital they need to grow.

Arkansas Example 2020FY 2020 EDA Annual Report

  • Recipient: City of Fayetteville
  • Title of Project: Commerce District Industrial Corridor Project
  • Location: Fayetteville/Washington County EDA
  • Investment: $2,000,000
  • Local Match and Other Funding Sources: $500,000
  • Project Summary: Fayetteville has a long history of success with major manufacturers in the toolmaking, food production, pharmaceutical, and automotive industries. This EDA investment provides critical infrastructure necessary to support expansion efforts of area manufacturers and businesses in the Commerce District corridor by constructing a 2,600-foot street extension to connect South Industrial Drive and South City Lake Road, which will provide access to approximately 47 acres of city-owned land and allow the development of five parcels. The project is expected to create 350 new jobs and leverage $10 million in private sector investment.

Environmental Protection Agency

Technical Assistance Resources:

  • Recreation Economy for Rural Communities | US EPA : Planning assistance program that helps communities identify strategies to grow their outdoor recreation economy and revitalize their Main Streets. 2021 Application closed in November 2021.
  • Cool & Connected | US EPA: Under this program, USDA and EPA funded teams of experts to help members of selected communities develop strategies and an action plan for using planned or existing broadband service to promote smart, sustainable community development.
  • Healthy Places for Healthy People | US EPA This program helped communities create walkable, healthy, economically vibrant places by engaging with their health care facility partners such as community health centers (including Federally Qualified Health Centers), nonprofit hospitals, and other health care facilities.
  • Local Foods, Local Places | US EPA: This partnership among EPA, USDA, DOT, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Appalachian Regional Commission, and Delta Regional Authority helps create more livable places by promoting local food enterprises such as farmers’ markets, food hubs, community gardens, and community kitchens on main streets in downtowns and existing neighborhoods. Local Foods, Local Places builds on the Livable Communities in Appalachia initiative, which offered technical assistance to help small towns and rural communities in Appalachia revitalize their traditional downtowns to boost the local economy and improve quality of life.

Department of Housing and Urban Development

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grants (CDBGs) invests in urban communities to increase quality, affordable housing, improve community living environments, and expand economic opportunities. CDBG investments are administered by local governments and must benefit people of low and moderate incomes. As such, they can be a good source of funding for equitable park investments.

Under CDBG, public and nonprofit park leaders need to partner with local community development organizations and the city agency that manages the CDBG funds. Cities must develop a Consolidated Plan that sets local investment priorities and the projects need to meet the priorities outlined in the Consolidated Plan.

Because of their flexibility, CDBG funds have been tapped by many park systems. From 2010 through 2018, CDBGs funded nearly $900 million in parks and recreation projects. CDBGs can also provide for maintenance and operations, youth employment, and other park-related investments. The 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act included $5 billion in funds for CDBG, an increase of $1.7 billion over the previous year’s funding.

CDBG provided $650,000 to acquire a neighborhood park in Denver, CO, $60,000 to revitalize a park next to an elementary school in Tucson, AZ, and $2.5 million for playgrounds in St. Paul, MN.


U.S. Department of Labor

Apprenticeship Building America Grant Applications closed April 25, 2022. https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/grants/apply/find-opportunities 

The ABA grant program builds on the Department’s previous and ongoing efforts to expand and modernize Registered Apprenticeship through expanding the number of programs and apprentices, diversifying the industries that utilize Registered Apprenticeship, and increasing access to and completion of RAPs for underrepresented populations and underserved communities. Applicants have the opportunity to apply for funding across four grant categories: (1) State Apprenticeship System Building and Modernization; (2) Expansion of RAP Opportunities for Youth; (3) Ensuring Equitable RAP Pathways Through Pre-Apprenticeship Leading to RAP Enrollment and Equity Partnerships; and (4) Registered Apprenticeship Hubs.

Full Announcement (PDF format)
Amendment One (PDF format)
Visit the grants.gov posting page


State Parks and Outdoor Recreation Websites


NGA Resources

Leveraging Outdoor Assets in the Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation Sectors

Leveraging Outdoor Assets in the Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation Sectors

On Wednesday, December 13th NGA hosted its fourth and final webinar in a four-part series highlighting innovative and replicable projects that are funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Travel, ...
Accessibility Innovations in Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation

Accessibility Innovations in Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation

States, territories and tribal governments are innovating to make travel, tourism and outdoor recreation more accessible and equitable. With increasing awareness of the well-documented health and wellness benefits of travel ...
Advancing Equity in the Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation Sectors

Advancing Equity in the Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation Sectors

On Wednesday, September 27th NGA hosted its third webinar in a four-part series highlighting innovative and replicable projects that are funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Travel, Tourism and ...
Innovative Workforce Development Programs for the Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Sectors

Innovative Workforce Development Programs for the Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Sectors

The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices held a webinar on Thursday, June 22, 1:00-2:00 EST for members of our Economic Development and Outdoor Recreation Networks to learn about ...
Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation

Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation

The NGA Outdoor Recreation Learning Network and Economic Policy teams are working with state recreation and economic policy networks and the Oregon State University’s Center for the Outdoor Recreation Economy ...
Great Outdoors Month® 2023

Great Outdoors Month® 2023

Governors play a crucial role in supporting outdoor recreation by implementing policies aimed at promoting and enhancing recreational opportunities. Every June, Americans across the country get outside during Great Outdoors ...
Public Health and Green Spaces

Public Health and Green Spaces

Governors are leveraging the great outdoors to improve health outcomes and bolster state economies. Genetics play a role in one’s health; however, the environment in which one is raised and ...
Increasing Economic Resiliency of the Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Sectors

Increasing Economic Resiliency of the Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Sectors

On March 22, 2023, NGA hosted the first webinar, in a series of four, highlighting innovative and replicable projects funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Travel Tourism and Outdoor ...
Outdoor Recreation Equals Jobs and Economic Growth

Outdoor Recreation Equals Jobs and Economic Growth

U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis data released today shows that inflation-adjusted ("real") GDP for the outdoor recreation economy increased 18.9 percent in 2021 with outdoor recreation providing over 4.5 million ...
NGA Hosts its Fourth Annual Outdoor Recreation Learning Network Meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas

NGA Hosts its Fourth Annual Outdoor Recreation Learning Network Meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas

Governors across the country recognize the importance of outdoor recreation and are uniquely positioned to support its growth through state policies, programs and incentives. By Cara Dougherty and Bevin Buchheister ...
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Sponsors

The NGA Outdoor Recreation Learning Network is supported by the following partners: