The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) aims to develop and wisely use the state's natural resources to promote the health, happiness, and wholesome enjoyment of life for the people of Ohio. ODNR is responsible for managing over 800,000 acres of land, including state parks, forests, nature preserves, and wildlife areas, overseeing more than 120,000 acres of inland waters, licensing hunting, fishing, and watercraft, monitoring dam safety, managing water resources, mapping geologic structures, permitting mineral extraction, and providing outdoor grant programs to communities.
The RTP Storybook Trail Grant, offered annually through ODNR in cooperation with the FHWA, aims to promote outdoor exploration and reading among children by establishing Storybook Trails, which combine the fun of outdoor walking with reading through strategically placed pages from children’s books along the trails. This reimbursement grant program covers up to 80 percent of project funding for eligible projects including new trail construction (both non-motorized and motorized), trail maintenance/restoration, trailside and trailhead facilities, purchase or lease of trail construction/maintenance equipment, acquisition of easements/property for trails, and educational programs on trail safety and environmental protection. For the Storybook Trails specifically, the grant cycle has $50,000 available, with individual requests capped between $5,000 and $10,000 per project scope.