Trail Stewardship Program

The Trail Stewardship Program (TSP) is a state-funded initiative administered by the Parks & Outdoor Recreation Division within Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP). Originally established through Senate Bill 24 during the 2019 Montana Legislative Session, the program supports the development, maintenance, and renovation of recreational trails and trailside facilities across the state. Its funding is derived from Montana’s $9 light vehicle registration fee and a portion of the state's marijuana tax revenue. Since its inception, the program has allocated approximately $7.6 million to over 180 trail projects, benefitting a wide array of motorized and nonmotorized users statewide. Following recent legislative revisions under Senate Bill 310, TSP has implemented changes to its funding apportionment and eligibility requirements. Beginning with the 2026 cycle, 40% of available funds will be directed to motorized trail projects, another 40% to nonmotorized projects, and the remaining 20% to mixed-use projects. If necessary, funds may be reallocated across categories to ensure full utilization. The program now also allows partial advance disbursements of awarded grant funding—up to 75%—at the program manager’s discretion, with the remaining 25% available upon confirmation of appropriate expenditure of the initial funds. Eligible applicants include tribal, state, county, municipal, and federal agencies, school districts, and nonprofit recreational organizations or clubs. Each entity may submit one application per cycle. Projects must fall within defined eligible categories such as construction of new trails and shared-use paths, rehabilitation and winter grooming of trails, maintenance and construction of trailhead and trailside facilities, feasibility studies, weed management inside trail corridors, and accessibility enhancements. Projects must provide public access and be legally permitted by the appropriate land management authority, with specific documentation requirements outlined for public or private land access. The 2026 application period will open on December 1, 2025, and close on January 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM MST. Applications must be submitted through the Montana WebGrants portal (funding.mt.gov). The grant review process includes a preliminary eligibility screening, followed by detailed scoring by both internal FWP reviewers and the State Trails Advisory Committee (STAC). STAC members—appointed Montana residents—score applications by category and recommend awards based on composite scores, which are later finalized after a public comment period and approval by FWP’s Director’s Office. Each applicant must demonstrate a minimum 10% match to the requested funds, which may be provided in cash or documented in-kind contributions such as volunteer labor or donated materials. The maximum award request is $100,000, with no minimum. Final reimbursement is contingent upon project execution and compliance with environmental review requirements as outlined by the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA). Projects may commence following receipt of a Conditional Award Letter, generally in April, with funds expended by October 15, 2029, and final reports due by December 31, 2029. The program emphasizes two focus areas for 2026: enhancing connectivity between communities and outdoor spaces, and addressing deferred maintenance or infrastructure limitations. Proposals addressing either focus area will receive scoring advantages during the evaluation process. Technical assistance, environmental review forms, and scoring rubrics are available through the program’s online resources. For further inquiries, applicants may contact Hunter Harridge, TSP Program Manager, at [email protected] or 406-444-3343.

Address 2026 focus areas; Provide detailed maintenance plans; Ensure budget and match documentation is complete.