Equestrian trail funding opportunities

Equine Trailways Subcommittee Update

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Equine Trailways Subcommittee: EQ NewsNote #5 
Funding EQ projects on DNR managed lands

Dear Equestrian Trail Riding Association Leader:

The DNR requests funds for trail and facility projects from a variety of sources and also periodically provides funds to eligible Friends groups and riding associations. How can a riding association obtain funding for projects from the DNR?

Here is a brief list of steps to be followed by an association to increase the probability that their project will be selected for funding:

1. Riding associations present the proposed project to their local unit supervisor/manager for park projects or their local trail analyst for forest recreation projects.

2a.  For parks and recreation areas, the unit supervisor/manager then submits a Work Item Proposal (WIP) to the DNR planners to get the project approved. (This submitted proposal does not guarantee funding.)

2b.  For forest recreation projects, the trail analyst will submit a Recreation Trail Development Proposal (Trail Proposal) in partnership with the riding association for approval. (This submitted proposal does not guarantee funding.)

3. The DNR seeks capital outlay priority lists from each DNR Division Field Operations District annually.  These lists may include equestrian projects. Priority projects are typically selected from the approved WIP and Trail Proposal lists that align with current DNR planning documents such as the forthcoming State Trails Implementation Plan or the Managed Public Land Strategy.

4. Equine Trailways Subcommittee (ETS) -- in the spring of current year (e.g. 2014)--establishes an annual priority list for proposed equestrian projects for the next year (e.g. 2015). This list is comprised of WIP and Recreation Trail Proposals previously approved as aligning with current DNR planning documents.

5. This ETS priority list will then be communicated to the district supervisors in order to align next year’s district priorities with ETS priorities.

6. The annual ETS priority list and the capital outlay priority list will then be used by the DNR, riding associations, and the ETS to direct fundraising. For example, this list is what will be used to direct DNR fundraising efforts such as Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF), Recreational Trail Program (RTP) grants, and Recreational Improvement Fund Program (RIF) grants.

The Partnership Match Program (PMP) is another program that provides a source of funding for projects.  The PMP can occur independently from the priority lists because they are directly attached to 501c, non- profit organizations. (See www.michigan.gov/dnrfriends.) These construction-based projects originate from riding associations who have a 50% match (materials, services or funds). The organizations implement, in partnership with the DNR, any approved projects. However, these projects also must be approved as part of the WIP or Trail Proposal processes. The case for partial funding by the DNR through the PMP is strengthened if they are also on the main DNR/ETS priority lists. One benefit of such an alignment is more funds may be garnered especially for larger projects that may not have been otherwise possible without funding from multiple sources. For example, PMP funding might serve as a match to garner additional funding from another source. This year the deadline for a PMP proposed project is January 22.

For further information contact Matt Lincoln (lincolnm@michigan.gov). Mr Lincoln is the EQ/DNR liaison.

Sandra Batie

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