The State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection has announced that grant applications for the Recreational Trails Program will be accepted March 18 through March 31, 2009. This is a competitive matching grant program which provides financial assistance to agencies of city, county, state or federal governments, state and federal recognized Indian tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations approved by the State for the acquisition and development of recreational trails. The Department currently has approximately $2,387,000 available. The grant funds shall be allocated as follows: (i) thirty percent (30%) must be used for motorized recreation, (ii) thirty percent (30%) must be used for nonmotorized recreation, and (iii) forty percent (40%) must be used for mixed use recreation. The maximum grant award for each motorized project is $716,000. The maximum grant award for each nonmotorized and mixed use project is $250,000.

The Department will conduct the following grant application workshops: (i) January 27, 2009, at Wakulla Springs State Park in Wakulla Springs, (ii) January 28, 2009, at The Florida Maritime Museum at Cortez in Cortez, and (iii) January 29, 2009, at Jim Ward Community Center in Plantation. All workshops begin at 9:00 a.m.

Application packets and workshop information may be obtained from the Office of Greenways and Trails, Department of Environmental Protection, Mail Station #795, 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000; (850)245-2052. Applications are also available at www.floridagreenwaysandtrails.com. Applications must be postmarked no later than March 31, 2009.

If accommodation for a disability is needed to participate in this activity, please notify the Office of Greenways and Trails at (850)245-2052, at least seven days before the workshop.