New Lands to Love ® Catalyst Fund helps to boost the efforts of community partners working alongside the Bureau of Land Management
WASHINGTON, DC (DECEMBER 11, 2024) —Today, the Foundation for America’s Public Lands, the official charitable partner of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), announced $600,000 in grants through its Lands to Love® Catalyst Fund, an innovative new grant program designed to support partners working collaboratively with the BLM. The Fund focuses on supporting projects in need of “last mile” matching dollars to help unlock greater financing. In its inaugural grant cycle, the Foundation supported on-the-ground projects that align with its areas of strategic focus: Access, Stewardship, and Awareness.
The Lands to Love® Catalyst Fund serves as a direct “give back” mechanism for the Foundation’s new public awareness campaign, which launched in September on National Public Lands Day. Lands to Love® was created to inspire all people to find their joy in America’s public lands and waters, to shine a spotlight on the work of the BLM and its employees, and to drive additional support and funding for our public lands and waters.
“The Foundation is honored to support our remarkable grantees who are collaborating with the BLM to lead transformative work to connect communities to their public lands,” said I Ling Thompson, CEO of the Foundation of America’s Public Lands. “These projects bring people closer to their public lands and waters by fast-tracking meaningful improvements that will boost visitors’ experiences and steward the unique landscapes and cultural treasures that make these places so special.”
The first four grants have been allocated to partner organizations supporting BLM-Managed Initiatives in Idaho and New Mexico:
Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA) in Idaho
The Birds of Prey NCA Partnership (BOPP) received $350,000 to initiate an outdoor classroom program at the BLM-Managed Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey NCA. This hands-on learning initiative will provide students from middle school to college the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and engage in stewardship work. They’ll get involved in monitoring local ecosystems, learning about the lands, waters, plants, and animals that make this region so special.
“The Lands to Love grant comes at a perfect time for our fast-growing organization,” said Birds of Prey NCA Partnership President Steve Alsup. “Our partnership with the Foundation for America’s Public Lands will greatly expand our ability to bring quality STEM educational opportunities to students across the Treasure Valley. The aim of our new outdoor classroom program is to introduce as many high school and middle school aged students to the NCA as we can, while also providing a more intensive, internship-style opportunity to two undergraduate students each semester.”
Ridge to Rivers Trail System in Boise, Idaho
The City of Boise received $200,000 to enhance existing facilities, improve accessibility, comfort, and user experience at the BLM-Managed Cartwright Trailhead in Idaho. The Trailhead is a growing hub of activity within the Ridge to Rivers trail system – offering over 210 miles of trails in the Boise foothills for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and more. This popular gateway to outdoor adventure needs investments in the necessities like paved surfaces to ensure access for all users, including those with mobility challenges; improved parking and dedicated slots for horse trailers; and amenities, including restrooms.
“The city is honored to receive a Lands to Love Catalyst Grant to improve and expand the access and safety of our Boise Foothills trail system,” said Boise Mayor Lauren McLean. “This exciting partnership furthers Boise’s legacy of protecting shared open spaces and creates more opportunities for residents to enjoy all that our vibrant foothills have to offer.”
Wilson Creek Travel Management Area in Southwest Idaho
The Wilson Creek Trail Coalition received $15,000 to enhance trail safety, improve user experience, and foster a sense of community and stewardship among trail users in and around the BLM-Managed Wilson Creek Travel Management Area in Southwest Idaho. The Wilson Creek area offers opportunities for visitors to experience the Owyhee Desert through hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails.
“The Lands to Love Catalyst grant will enable the Wilson Creek Trail Coalition, in partnership with the BLM Owyhee Field Office, to invest in fireproof signage and walk-through gates that will help keep trail users and animals safe, while minimizing off-trail damage and enhancing the outdoor experience for all visitors,” said Susan Kolbay of the Wilson Creek Trail Coalition. “These long-term investments – even simple ones like these – highlight the importance of collaboration in caring for our public lands, ensuring they remain sustainable and accessible for generations to come.”
Río Grande del Norte National Monument’s La Junta Trail in New Mexico
The Friends of Rio Grande del Norte National Monument received $35,000 to help restore and reopen the La Junta Trail near Taos, New Mexico. In 2018, the La Junta Trail was closed due to erosion and unsafe conditions, cutting off access for the local community to one of the most popular and culturally significant routes within the BLM-Managed Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. This grant provides funding to conduct an engineering plan for the trail – the first step in helping to repair and reopen the trail.
“The La Junta Trail is one of the most iconic hikes in New Mexico, accessing that special spot where the Rio Grande and Red Rivers meet,” said Nick Streit, Executive Director of the Friends of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. “This section of the Rio Grande was among the first to be designated a Wild and Scenic River and is now part of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Rebuilding this trail is a top priority for the BLM, the local community and visitors alike. We are grateful to the Foundation for America’s Public Lands for understanding the significance of this project and for supporting such important work.”
