Trail Science Institute receives grant for outdoor recreation projects in Appalachia

09/09/2025

By Brett Buckner 

Dr. Ross Martin and Jax State’s Trail Science Institute have received a $25,000 grant to partner with the Trust for Public Land to benefit Appalachia. The grant enables Jax State to collaborate with local leaders to plan, fund, and implement outdoor recreation projects that will create jobs, enhance health, attract visitors to the region, and build climate resilience.  

"The big goals of the grant are to plan, build, and promote outdoor recreation in communities throughout the Appalachian region," explained Dr. Martin, associate professor of geology. "My and Jax State's role in that will be to offer trail building and sustainable trail maintenance classes to those communities that need it, or maybe that can't afford it on their own." 

The grant is part of a $10 million investment from the Appalachia Regional Commission to help communities across the Appalachian region access the $1.1 trillion outdoor economy. The grant includes travel expenses in addition to the $25,000. The Trail Science Institute will use the $25,000 to provide local and regional work in outdoor recreation and trail building.  

"I plan to use the funds to help build up my trail tool library so that the trail building class and other local trail groups can use them," Dr. Martin said. "Some of the funds will go to research support and funding for students to travel to conferences. I also hope to use some of the money to improve and support the trails in our area."  

Being a part of this type of partnership provides an opportunity for Dr. Martin to spread the word about Jax State across the wider Appalachian region. "When I go to these communities to talk about trails and outdoor recreation, I will get to talk about the cool research and teaching that I am doing at Jax State," Dr. Martin said. "I will be essentially advertising for Jax State. Jacksonville is surrounded by opportunities for outdoor and trail-based recreation. I hope this opportunity shows what Jax State has to offer."