The mission of the Norma and Stanley DeBoer Quiet Trails Fund is to support the creation and maintenance of quiet trails (e.g., walking, hiking, or skiing) in Wisconsin. The fund aims to enhance outdoor recreational opportunities and accessibility, promoting the enjoyment and preservation of natural spaces through quiet trail experiences.
The grant program, established by the Norma and Stanley DeBoer Quiet Trails Fund, focuses on funding projects that construct and upkeep quiet trails in Wisconsin. Offering grants ranging from $500 to $1,000, its broad goals include not only the creation and maintenance of walking, hiking, or skiing trails open to the public but also ensuring increased access for people with disabilities. The fund prioritizes a variety of specific causes such as trail location identification, surveying, material purchase, construction, clean-up, repairs, and necessary professional service fees. Beyond physical construction and maintenance, the grant also supports efforts to enhance quiet trails. This includes habitat improvement, the development of directional or explanatory signage, trail guide booklets, and organizing modest events to boost trail awareness and usage.