The Legacy Trails Grant program, a collaboration between IMBA and American Trails, will award $1.35 million to 27 projects in total, with close to $700,000 going toward 11 different mountain bike trail projects.
The Legacy Trails Grant program is in its second year now and is funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which gives up to $1.5 million per year for five years for projects that restore, protect and maintain watersheds on public lands. The program is administered by American Trails and selects projects that provide a benefit to trails in National Forest lands.
According to IMBA, $2.7 million has been awarded to 65 projects nationwide in the first two years, which they believe will have a positive impact on watersheds, trail resiliency, and public access to the outdoors.
Santa Fe National Forest, New Mexico
Phase 2 of the Arroyo Hondo project will expand the existing trail network by 25.6 miles and redesign and reroute 12 miles of existing closed roads and 7.1 miles of user-created trail and ensure their sustainability with watershed protection. The project will also convert eight miles of old logging road to adaptive MTB trails. Partners include the Santa Fe Fat Tire Society.
Carson National Forest, New Mexico
This project will enhance sustainable recreation opportunities and raise awareness about the Rio Fernando de Taos by rerouting fall-line trails, closing user-created trails building a retaining wall in high traffic and areas that see frequent erosion. The measures should improve habitat for several bird and fish species. Partners include Enchanted Circle Trails Association, Rio Fernando de Taos Watershed Revitalization Collaborative, Local Youth Corps.