# Purposeful Connections - Trail Development and Accessibility with the Indiana DNR Next Level Trails Grant Program Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/life-behind-bars-6904041/purposeful-connections-trail-development-and-accessibility-with-the-indiana-dnr-next-level-trails-grant-program Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/life-behind-bars-6904041/purposeful-connections-trail-development-and-accessibility-with-the-indiana-dnr-next-level-trails-grant-program.md Podcast: [Life Behind Bars](https://stenobird.com/podcast/life-behind-bars-6904041) Published: 2024-11-26T13:01:06+00:00 Episode link: https://rss.com/podcasts/bicycleindiana/1763031 Audio file: https://content.rss.com/episodes/269591/1763031/bicycleindiana/2024_11_20_15_55_41_abb31992-5314-4011-97ff-7e2df6dcc291.mp3 Processing state: not_requested JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/life-behind-bars-6904041/episodes/purposeful-connections-trail-development-and-accessibility-with-the-indiana-dnr-next-level-trails-grant-program Duration seconds: 3620 ## Resource On this week's episode, we chat with two Indiana DNR employees about the Next Level Trails (NLT) grant program. We talk about how to apply for this grant but also the ins and outs how to start to advocate and think about adding trails to your area. The Indiana DNR has been transforming the trails systems with the NLT program since 2018. Connect with the Indiana DNR today! Email: nextleveltrails@dnr.IN.gov Ross Tepe Trails Section Manager rtepe@dnr.IN.gov 317-234-0717 Gary Schultz Trails Coordinator gschultz@dnr.IN.gov 317-981-6418 Next Level Trails has invested $180 million – the largest infusion of State trail funding in Indiana history – toward the development of regionally and locally significant trails throughout Indiana. As part of Governor Holcomb’s broader Next Level Connections infrastructure program, Next Level Trails (NLT) is designed to incentivize collaborative efforts to accelerate trail connections. The Department of Natural Resources will administer the program. https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/recreation/grants/next-level-trails/ Eligible Applicants: Local units of government or 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations. One application per applicant per round. If awarded, the applicant will enter into a State Grant Agreement and must take responsibility for all aspects of the project through completion. Applicants acting in a fiscal pass-through capacity only are not eligible. Additionally, the applicant must fulfill at least one of the following roles: Own (or acquire) the trail corridor Manage and maintain the trail once developed Oversee and manage trail construction through completion ## Actions - request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/life-behind-bars-6904041/episodes/purposeful-connections-trail-development-and-accessibility-with-the-indiana-dnr-next-level-trails-grant-program/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode. - read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/life-behind-bars-6904041/purposeful-connections-trail-development-and-accessibility-with-the-indiana-dnr-next-level-trails-grant-program.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource. A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed. ## Transcript Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.