The Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation (OOR) will hold a series of statewide grant workshops to assist with the application process for three grant programs authorized by the Utah Legislature: Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant, Recreation Restoration Infrastructure, and Utah Children’s Outdoor Recreation & Education program.
The purpose of the three Utah outdoor recreation grant programs is as follows:
- Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant (UORG) — Helps fund outdoor recreation infrastructure projects that improve recreation amenities for residents as well as attract tourists to the region
- Recreation Restoration Infrastructure (RRI) grant — Funds restoration or rehabilitation of existing outdoor recreation infrastructure
- Utah Children’s Outdoor Recreation & Education (UCORE) grant — Funds programming that provides Utah’s youth (ages 6 to 18) with outdoor recreation skill-building and nature-focused, hands-on learning
“The Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation’s grant workshops showcase strong partnerships between state and federal entities,” said Tom Adams, OOR director. “This tour is an opportunity for attendees to learn how they can leverage funds from one source to another. We all want to see the best possible recreation amenities available in our Utah communities.”
The workshops will help communities recognize and understand resources housed in Utah from planning a project with the National Parks Service’s Recreational Trails and Conservation Assistance program (RTCA) to optimizing federal funding through the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), managed by Utah State Parks.
Workshop attendees will see real-world examples where federal, state and local stakeholders have worked together to help meet Utahns’ outdoor recreation infrastructure goals.
OOR 2019 Grant Workshops Schedule
- Nov. 4 at 10 a.m. in Vernal
- Nov. 5 at 9 a.m. in Green River
- Nov. 5 at 3 p.m. in Monticello
- Nov. 6, at 10 a.m. in Bicknell
- Nov. 7 at 9 a.m. in Panguitch
- Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. in Kanab
- Nov. 8 at 11 a.m. in St. George
- Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. in Salt Lake City (sold out)
- Nov. 13 at 10 a.m. in Alpine
- Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. in Heber
- Nov. 14 at 9 a.m. in Fillmore
- Nov. 14 at 3 p.m. in Manti (sold out)
- Nov. 15 at 10 a.m. in Nibley
- Nov. 20 at 9 a.m. in Salt Lake City (sold out)
Register and see additional details for all 14 workshops here.
The OOR team will walk participants through the process of creating a compelling UORG, RRI or UCORE grant submission. Federal partners will also participate in the grant workshops and teach attendees about additional programs available to help increase recreation. These programs include the National Parks Service’s (NPS) Recreational Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program and the Utah State Parks’ Recreational Trails Program (RTP).
“Our office is excited to offer two new grants, the Recreation Restoration Infrastructure (RRI) grant and Utah Children’s Outdoor Recreation & Education grant,” said Adams. “UCORE shows the financial support behind the state’s Every Kid Outdoors Initiative, which aims to get kids active and healthy outdoors, while RRI further exemplifies how the state encourages partnerships between local, federal and nonprofit entities to improve and update Utah’s existing outdoor recreation infrastructure.”
The Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service will also make brief presentations in each of the grant workshops.
Applications for next year’s UORG and RRI grant cycle will be accepted Jan. 15 to March 20, 2020. Applications for UCORE will be accepted Jan. 15 to Feb. 20, 2020.
Over five years, the Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant has awarded funding for 155 outdoor recreation projects. These projects include more than 25 types of outdoor recreation activities throughout the state. The grants provide matching grant funding to local governments and nonprofits to build outdoor recreation infrastructures such as trails, boat ramps and more.
In the 2020 grant cycle, UORG award amounts will range from $1,000 to $150,000, with an additional award amount called the Regional Asset Tier that includes award amounts of up to $500,000 to support larger infrastructure projects.
“From trails connecting parks and neighborhoods in South Salt Lake to the restoration and revitalization of the Price River in Helper, and from rock climbing access above Castle Dale to multi-use trails in St. George, the outdoor recreation grant has improved the quality of life in dozens of cities and towns and for residents and visitors alike,” said Cameron Diehl, executive director of the Utah League of Cities and Towns. “The grant is a great example of levels of government, businesses, and residents working together to invest in Utah communities and enhance access for all to the state’s natural beauty.”
For additional information about the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation and the grants it manages on behalf of the Utah Legislature, please visit business.utah.gov/outdoor/uorg.