RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM AWARDS

In 2008 an RTP grant from the Federal Highway Commission was awarded to the Shawnee National Forest. RTP applications require both federal and non-federal funding to apply for this grant, and the STC had been awarded $12,000 from the Illinois Equine and Research Board that became the non-federal part and the USFS applied for $60,000 for the federal part. $200,000 was awarded to relocate and improve trails in the One Horse Gap area. This was the first major monetary amount awarded to the Shawnee National Forest because of the collaboration of the USFS and the STC.   

Once again in 2013, a successful cooperative effort between the STC and the USFS resulted in another grant awarded, also $200,000. The STC provided $12,500 (money awarded by a 2013 IL Equine Board grant awarded to the STC) and the USFS provided $37,500 to bring the total project funding up to $250,000. The STC wrote the grant application and really spearheaded the grant application process.  The One Horse Gap trail work will be a continuation of a project funded by a 2008 RTP grant to reroute and reconstruct approximately 7 miles of hiker/equestrian trails in the same area.