Northeast Tennessee Regional Economic Partnership secures $15,000 in grant funding to support Holston Mountain recreation

May 12, 2021 - Johnson City, Tenn. - The Northeast Tennessee Regional Economic Partnership has received two grants totaling $15,000, which will support partnership and recreation enhancement on Holston Mountain. The partnership will match a $10,000 grant from the National Forest Foundation’s Matching Awards Program as well as a $5,000 grant from the National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance. The entire grant project cost is $30,000. 

"This is the first time we have received National Forest Foundation funding since I’ve been at the district,” said Keith Kelley, Cherokee National Forest Watauga District Ranger. “We are excited to see what we can accomplish in partnership with these great organizations. These grants will allow for us to do some much-needed work on our district. It’s our hope that this is a successful model and partnership that we can continue to replicate moving forward.”

The project will include trail rehabilitation on trails near Hinkle Branch and Rye Patch on Holston Mountain. The Cherokee National Forest has also applied for funding through the Great American Outdoor Act, which will support this project as well. A portion of the grant funds will be applied to hiring the Southeast Conservation Corps, a public land crew (PLC), to perform specialized trail rehabilitation work. The Northeast Tennessee Regional Economic Partnership’s Outdoor Development Program will facilitate a community workday with local outdoor clubs once the bulk of the work is performed.

“Our Stewardship Council and other partners will be invited to come help us get the trail ready for the public,” said Samm Keys, AppalachiaCARES AmeriCorps member and Environmental Stewardship Coordinator. “The PLC will do most of the work, but we wanted to be sure to get our local volunteer organizations involved in the effort as well. Since this trail system is multi-use, this will be a great opportunity for hikers, bikers and equestrians to all get out there together to give back to our public lands.”

NETREP is a regional economic development organization committed to increasing the tax base and generating job growth for Washington, Carter, and Unicoi counties. NETREP started the Outdoor Development Program in 2017 to encourage more investments in the outdoor recreation industry and economy. The organization conducts activities related to traditional economic development efforts such as business expansion and recruitment, as well as community development efforts as related to talent attraction and retention. NETREP is also responsible for the annual Meet the Mountains Festival. The event aims to bring more awareness of our region's natural capital, ways to get involved in giving back, and to boost the economy of our local outdoor recreation industry cluster.

“We encourage volunteerism and giving back to public lands as well as seek to empower communities to invest more in their outdoor recreation industry and economy,” said Kayla Carter, Outdoor Development Manager. “This funding not only helps us achieve our mission but builds a strong network of partners through which we can invest in taking better care of our recreation assets.”

NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION

The National Forest Foundation is the leading organization inspiring personal and meaningful connections to our National Forests, the centerpiece of America’s public lands. Working on behalf of the American public, the NFF leads forest conservation efforts and promotes responsible recreation. We believe these lands, and all they provide, are an American treasure and are vital to the health of our communities.

The challenges facing our National Forests and Grasslands are immense and complicated. But we believe that the power of communities and collaboration can, and will, prove capable of meeting these challenges. Our work these past decades has proven this true time and again.

National Forests and Grasslands are at the core of America's natural riches, and yet, today these treasures are threatened by unprecedented challenges. Working with the U.S. Forest Service and partners, our goal is to leverage our best thinking, conservation capacity, and community action to measurably improve the health of our National Forests and Grasslands.

Questions about the NFF MAP grant can be sent to kmorse@nationalforests.org

NATIONAL WILDERNESS STEWARDSHIP ALLIANCE

Projects for the 2021 field season have been selected for the National Forest System Trail Stewardship Partner Funding sponsored by the Forest Service, in collaboration with the National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance, American Trails, American Hiking Society, Back Country Horsemen of America, International Mountain Bicycling Association, American Motorcyclists Association, and the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council.

A total of 48 projects were selected from the 92 proposals that were received.  Over $1,000,000 in funding requests were made while $547,689 were funded.

The selected projects return on investment (from cash and in-kind contributions)  is roughly 5:1. 

Randy Welsh, Executive Director of NWSA said, “We were able to fund more than half of the projects which contained over 80% of the potential accomplishments from all the projects submitted.  We look forward to a lot of wonderful volunteer engagement and trail maintenance work to be completed this summer and fall.” 

Proposed Timeline:  Work to be Completed between May and December 2021

Additional information on the Trail Partner Funding is found at www.wildernessalliance.org/funding_programs

Questions can be addressed to Randy Welsh, Executive Director, National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance, at randy@wildernessalliance.org or at 801-808-2167.