Arts-culture-tourism

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) awarded The Trust for Public Land $18.4 million through the Appalachian Area Development program (CFDA 23.002) on May 1, 2025, with a completion date of June 30, 2030. This Project Grant supports TPL's conservation, park development, and community environmental initiatives aligned with ARC's strategic objectives to strengthen Appalachia's economic competitiveness and build community capacity. The award funds TPL's expertise in land conservation, urban green infrastructure, and sustainable community development across the Appalachian region, with particular focus on equitable access to green spaces and environmental resilience in economically distressed areas.

The funded activities support ARC's five strategic goals, including leveraging natural and cultural heritage assets, building organizational capacity, and strengthening community development potential. TPL's work under this award typically involves collaborative partnerships with local governments, community organizations, and educational institutions, delivering products and services such as green infrastructure projects, trail systems, historic preservation planning, and technical assistance for land and water conservation. The funding enables TPL to extend its impact across multiple Appalachian counties while advancing ARC's mission to foster self-sustaining economic development and build the capacity of leaders and organizations to innovate and advance community development initiatives.