Trans Canada Trail Opens Applications for Annual Funding to Support Volunteer-Led Projects
In 2024 the Trail Care Grant program helped 221 trail groups prepare their trails for the spring and summer
Ottawa – Canadian winters are never easy on outdoor infrastructure. But trail organizations across the country can once again access funding to build volunteerism in their communities and help get their trails ready for the spring and summer.
Trans Canada Trail — the organization that advocates for, stewards and champions Canada’s nationwide trail system — has opened applications for its annual Trail Care Grant Program. This program is aimed at promoting volunteerism along the Trail and supporting volunteer-led projects as trail groups host activities including volunteer training and appreciation, trail clean up and repairs, tree planting, and other minor maintenance projects.
Entering its sixth year in 2025, the Trail Care Program has engaged thousands of volunteers throughout the country.
“We are fortunate to work with passionate volunteers in every province and territory,” says Stacey Dakin, Chief Program Officer of Trans Canada Trail. “These people and groups devote so much time and effort to helping their communities by taking care of their section of the Trans Canada Trail. The incredible work they do locally is what keeps our nationwide trail system strong, and we are happy to offer them support through the Trail Care Program and our other funding initiatives.”
At 29,000 kilometres, the Trans Canada Trail is the longest multi-use trail system in the world. Reaching all three of Canada’s coastlines, the Trail is comprised of more than 600 locally managed trail sections in every province and territory. As a national organization, Trans Canada Trail helps these local groups maintain and improve their sections of the Trail through various funding programs, including Trail Care.
From April 2023 through March 2024, Trans Canada Trail provided $5.3 million in funding to trail groups across all funding programs. The 2024 edition of the Trail Care Program awarded $269,250 to 221 groups from coast to coast to coast.
Trail organizations that are part of the Trans Canada Trail network can apply for Trail Care funding online through the Trans Canada Trail website.
In addition to Trail Care, Trans Canada Trail helps fund projects across the country ranging from major and minor trail maintenance to accessibility and inclusion initiatives to climate emergency support. The organization also offers a Trails Support Program for First Nation, Métis and Inuit Communities and a National Youth Employment Program.
The 2025 Trail Care Program is generously supported by Athletic Brewing Company.
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Media Contact
Justin Fauteux, Manager, Media and Public Relations
jfauteux@tctrail.ca
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About Trans Canada Trail
The Trans Canada Trail is the longest multi-use trail system in the world and it is always growing. It reaches every province and territory and connects all three of Canada’s coastlines. Each section of the Trans Canada Trail is managed locally and supports different activities and community needs.
Trans Canada Trail is the organization that advocates for, stewards and champions Canada’s nationwide trail system. It is a registered charity that receives funding from the Government of Canada (through Parks Canada), various provincial and municipal governments, and generous donors.
