Last month, the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) announced 11 grants totaling $80,000 through its Rural Outdoor Recreation and Health Grant Program, with support from the LOR Foundation, The VF Foundation, and the Richard King Mellon Foundation. The grants fund locally led projects that connect outdoor recreation and community health in rural places. Here is what media outlets, funders, grantees, public health officials, and local leaders are saying:
- , Seehafer News: Two Rivers, Wisconsin, $7,500 for a free outdoor wellness program
- , Tri-City Record: Farmington Area Single Track, New Mexico, $7,500 for youth cycling
- , Chilkat Valley News, Haines, Alaska
- , TheDerrick.com: Oil Region Alliance, Pennsylvania, $7,500 for a recreation and health branding campaign
- , The Journal (Cortez, Colo.)
“The LOR Foundation has funded thousands of locally led ideas that improve quality of life in the rural Mountain West, so we understand what people really want and need,” said Gary Wilmot, Executive Director, LOR Foundation. “Time in the outdoors is one of those things. It’s not just a nice-to-have; it’s an essential part of rural American life and well-being. These grants help support projects that play a critical role in meeting that need, and we’re happy to invest in the people and organizations bringing them to life.”
“The outdoors has the power to transform lives, and that transformation starts with community,” said Gloria Schoch, Senior Director of Global Community Affairs, VF Corporation, and Executive Director, The VF Foundation. “These grants will help visionary local leaders across the Mountain West harness outdoor recreation as a force for better health, deeper connection, and lasting vitality. The VF Foundation is honored to join the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable and the LOR Foundation to invest in a future where every rural community can thrive through time outside.”
Montana: Scenic Montana Trails, All-Abilities Lower Loops of the Seeley Lake Trail System
“We’re thrilled to announce Scenic Montana Trails’ partnership and support from the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable’s Rural Outdoor Recreation and Health Grant Program to help complete the all-abilities Lower Loop trails,” said Curt Friede, President, Scenic Montana Trails. “The 7-mile-long Lower Loops are the most inclusive trails in the entire system, and with ORR’s help, provide space for everyone to enjoy new access to public lands. Thank you, ORR!”
“Social workers and counselors who have spent their careers in community health promotion and education frequently remind me that ‘community connection is prevention’ and the ‘opposite of addiction is not sobriety, it is connection,’” said Jeanna Miller, RS, MPH, Chief Health Officer, Missoula Public Health. “Isolation and disconnection (both real and perceived) are good predictors of poor health outcomes. This trail system will, literally and figuratively, connect community members and visitors to each other, to the land, and to positive health behaviors. This type of connection is a proven protective factor, paving the way to better health across a lifespan. This trail project has immense potential to change the collective narrative around health, wellness, opportunity, and the future of their community.”
Colorado: San Luis Valley Great Outdoors (SLV GO!), Community Outdoor Wellness and Access Pilot
“Outdoor recreation is more than an opportunity for physical activity—it is an important component of community health, connection, and quality of life,” said Kolawole Bankole, MD, MS, MBA, Public Health Director, Rio Grande County Public Health Agency. “We are excited to see SLV GO! receive this grant and build on the Embajadores program to create culturally relevant outdoor wellness opportunities that help make healthy living more accessible to communities throughout the San Luis Valley.”
“A healthy, connected community and a thriving visitor economy go hand in hand; both depend on welcoming outdoor spaces,” said Kale Mortenson, Executive Director, Visit Alamosa. “SLV GO!’s new Community Outdoor Wellness and Access Pilot will help more San Luis Valley residents experience that connection firsthand, and Visit Alamosa is glad to see this important work supported by the ORR Rural Outdoor Recreation and Health Grant Program.”
Colorado: Medicine Horse Center, Outdoor Equine Programming
“Medicine Horse Center is an important part of our community and integral to the work we’re doing through the Montezuma Inspire Coalition to make outdoor experiences more accessible to everyone,” said Gabi Morey, Director, Montezuma Inspire Coalition (MIC). “I’m thrilled to see them receive this grant to expand their programs for neurodivergent youth and older adults—two groups who can face significant barriers to outdoor recreation.
“We know that spending time outdoors can have real benefits for our health and well-being, but not everyone has the same opportunities to experience those benefits. Medicine Horse Center is finding creative ways to remove barriers by combining time outdoors and connection with horses to support the well-being of people in our community.”
New Mexico: Farmington Area Single Track (FAST-NM), Youth Cycling Programs
“Investing in outdoor recreation is an investment in our community’s long-term health and economic vitality,” said Nate Duckett, Mayor, City of Farmington. “We are thrilled to see FAST-NM receive this support from the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable and the LOR Foundation. This grant empowers us to bridge the gap between outdoor access and public health, while providing inclusive opportunities like the upcoming All Abilities class that ensure everyone in our rural communities can enjoy the benefits of our trails.”
“San Juan Regional Medical Center is proud to support FAST-NM and the important work they are doing to get young people active, outdoors, and engaged in cycling,” said Jason Rounds, President and CEO, San Juan Regional Medical Center. “Their programs give kids an opportunity to develop skills, build confidence, and learn the importance of being active and riding safely, including the lifelong habit of wearing a helmet. As a healthcare system, we know that keeping our community healthy takes more than what happens within the walls of a hospital. It takes strong community partnerships and organizations like FAST-NM that bring their expertise, passion, and commitment directly to our youth. We are proud to partner with FAST-NM and support their efforts to build a healthier, more active community.”
Idaho: Idaho Business for the Outdoors, Fostering Family Adventures
“We are thrilled and incredibly grateful for the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable’s generous support of Fostering Family Adventures,” said Juliet Charron, Director, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. “These events give foster and kinship families something every family deserves—the chance to have fun together, build connections, and create lasting memories. This investment will help us bring those experiences to even more families across Idaho, and we couldn’t be more thankful for this partnership.”
Alaska: Haines Huts and Trails, Haines Town Trail
“We are thrilled to receive this support from the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, the Richard King Mellon Foundation, and The VF Foundation,” said Nate Arrants, Executive Director, Haines Huts and Trails. “A connected town trail has long been a priority identified by our residents in both the Recreation Economy for Rural Communities (RERC) planning process and the Haines Borough Comprehensive Plan. This funding allows us to turn those shared community goals into action, improving local access, boosting walkability, and directly connecting key community anchors like the new SEARHC hospital, our school, and downtown to support the long-term health and well-being of everyone in the Chilkat Valley.”
Wisconsin: City of Two Rivers Parks and Recreation, Outdoor Wellness Paddling Program
“Outdoor recreation is an important part of what makes Two Rivers a great place to live and visit, and we should continue looking for ways to make those opportunities available to everyone,” said Doug Brandt, Member, Two Rivers City Council. “The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable grant for adaptive paddling is a great example of how we can build on our natural resources while removing barriers to participation. I was also very encouraged by the turnout at the recent Recreation Economy for Rural Communities workshop. Seeing so many residents come out, share ideas, and help shape the future of outdoor recreation in Two Rivers shows how much our community cares about these opportunities.”
Virginia: St. Paul Tomorrow, Riverview Trail
“We are grateful to ORR for this investment in St. Paul and the Riverview Trail,” said Juanita Kelly, Board Chair, St. Paul Tomorrow. “The Clinch River is one of our community’s greatest assets, and everyone should have the opportunity to experience it. These improvements will create a more accessible, walkable connection between downtown St. Paul and Clinch River State Park.”
Maine: Towns of Jay, Livermore, and Livermore Falls, Tri-Town Signage Project
“We are very pleased and grateful to be awarded this ORR grant,” said Terry Bergeron, Chair, Jay Selectboard. “These funds will allow us to begin implementation of a project to create a cohesive regional identity across our tri-town communities. Regional branding and signage will help to promote the region as a hub for recreation and encourage greater participation in outdoor activities.”
South Carolina: Palmetto Trail, Self-Service Kayak Rental Kiosk
“The Palmetto Trail has been a tremendous community partner, recognizing and embracing the natural beauty of Fairfield County and finding creative ways to share that beauty with people across our great state and beyond,” said Chris Clauson, Town Manager, Town of Winnsboro. “The kayak launch has helped bring greater attention to this hidden gem in the Midlands and created new opportunities for people to enjoy our natural resources. The Track Trails initiative is an excellent way to encourage people to get outdoors, particularly younger generations, and discover just how fascinating and beautiful the world around them can be. I applaud the Palmetto Trail for its continued commitment to our community and look forward to seeing the lasting impact of these efforts for years to come.”
Pennsylvania: Oil Region Alliance, Unified Outdoor Recreation Identity
“The Oil Region Alliance is honored to receive and administer the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable’s Rural Outdoor Recreation and Health Grant in support of our Recreation Economy for Rural Communities project,” said John R. Phillips II, President and CEO, Oil Region Alliance. “Our county has more adult obesity, inactivity, and poor mental health days than the state average, alongside less ease of access to exercise opportunities and parks. Our goal is to further brand and promote the Oil Region National Heritage Area’s outdoor spaces to encourage residents to take advantage of our amenities as part of their everyday lives and to take steps to improve their physical and mental health.”
Read more about all 11 grant recipients.
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About the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable
The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable is the nation’s leading coalition of outdoor recreation associations representing the more than 110,000 outdoor businesses in the recreation economy and the full spectrum of outdoor-related activities. The most recent data from the U.S. Department of Commerce shows that outdoor recreation generated $1.3 trillion in economic output (2.4% of GDP) and accounts for 5.2 million jobs.