PA Wilds Center will be distributing $80,000 to 20 organizations based in the Pennsylvania Wilds, as part of the 2026 PA Wilds Community Engagement Mini-Grant program. Each recipient will receive $4,000 to support a project within the rural 13-county region.

Grant award recipients include:

• Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau (McKean County)
• Amoeba Media (Lycoming County)
• Art in the Wilds, Inc. (McKean County)
• Cameron County Chamber of Commerce (Cameron County)
• City of Lock Haven (Clinton County)
• Clinton County Economic Partnership (Clinton County)
• Cosmos’ Lounge (McKean County)
• Denton Hill Ski Patrol – Nordic (Potter County)
• East Brady Area Development Corporation (Clarion County)
• Heath Township Sportsmen’s Club (Jefferson County)
• Johnsonburg Community Trust (Elk County)
• Keystone Elk Country Alliance (Multi-County)
• Lane’s End Farm Creamery and The Scoop Shoppe (Jefferson County)
• Lumber Heritage Region of Pennsylvania, Inc. (Multi-County)
• Mechanistic Brewing (Clarion County)
• Northern Appalachian Discovery Museum (McKean County)
• PA Made (Elk County)
• Rail 66 Country Trail (Clarion County)
• The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle (Centre County)
• Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry (Warren County)

These organizations successfully demonstrated their plans for community-driven projects that will encourage civic engagement and support the regional effort to grow and sustainably develop the outdoor recreation economy, nature tourism, and creative placemaking within the PA Wilds Conservation Landscape. They also detailed intentions to effectively measure civic engagement in their projects, which range from site improvements and murals to educational programming and outdoor recreation activities, to stewardship and cultural events.

“More than $740,000 was requested in funding from the 66 eligible organizations that applied – nearly ten times the amount of funding we had to distribute. The 20 organizations that are being awarded requested more than $220,000 – nearly three times the amount available,” said Ta Enos, Founder & CEO of the PA Wilds Center, the regional nonprofit leading the approach to elevate the outdoor recreation opportunities in the PA Wilds and helping local businesses leverage the iconic brand. “For us, this demonstrates the critical need and provides additional visibility on projects bubbling up across our region. We are proud to be able to invest in these important projects, though we know our contribution is only part of the financial puzzle for many of them.” 

In addition to staff from PA Wilds Center, representatives from a number of partner organizations helped with reviewing mini-grant applications, including the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Elk County Council on the Arts (ECCOTA), Lumber Heritage Region (LHR), PA Route 6 Alliance, PA Wilds Planning Team, and Susquehanna Greenway Partnership (SGP).

The panelists provided scores of 0-4 for each application across four specific areas: whether the application successfully demonstrated how the project supports PA Wilds Center’s mission within the Conservation Landscape, expands opportunities for and encourages civic engagement, offers a strong plan for increasing participation in communities and measuring outcomes, and brings residents together by investing directly in community-driven projects that reflect local priorities and creativity. This gave each project a possibility of receiving 16 points from each reviewer. All the reviewer scores were then aggregated for each applicant, providing their final score. Applications that received a score of 13 or more were recommended for funding.

“Several of our review partners have successfully run mini-grant programs in the past, or they have visibility throughout the region or within different sub-landscapes because of the work they do,” Enos said. “Their insights and expertise was invaluable as we stood up this offering and reviewed the competitive field of applications for this inaugural program.”

The 2026 PA Wilds Community Engagement Mini-Grants are made possible by funding support from the Trust for Civic Life, a national philanthropic grant-making collaborative that supports community-led efforts. The mini grant application opened in January and closed on March 6. All funds must be expended by November 30. 

“PA Wilds Center competes fiercely to bring investment to rural PA, including for mini grant opportunities for local communities to support efforts that tie into regional strategies to grow the PA Wilds as an outdoor recreation destination and build momentum on the ground,” Enos continued. “We are really appreciative of our partnership with Trust for Civic Life on this offering. We will continue to seek out funding and look forward to being able to provide future rounds of mini-grants, which will be informed by this year’s program.”

2026 PA Wilds Community Engagement Mini-Grant Awardees

Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau – Trolls in the Forest (McKean County)

Trail Central’s Trolls in the Forest in McKean County will be a landmark public art experience by international artist Thomas Dambo featuring three, giant hand-built troll sculptures crafted entirely from recycled and reclaimed materials. When completed in 2027, the Trolls in the Forest will feature three locations, spanning from the northern to southern end of McKean County. Troll installations are planned in Kane, Bradford, and somewhere in-between. While the physical construction and volunteer-led build are slated for September 2027, the 2026 project phase focuses on the technical design and site stewardship required to integrate these “guardians of nature” into the Pennsylvania Wilds Conservation Landscape. Standing as high as 40 feet tall, these will be Dambo’s first permanent installations in Pennsylvania, putting McKean County and the PA Wilds on the international “troll hunting” map. This public art installation will be free to visit and will provide economic impact for the PA Wilds region. The mini-grant funding will be applied as reimbursement for 2026 artist fees. These fees cover the 2026 Technical Design Package, including final structural designs and the artist’s selection of three specific sites within McKean County.

Amoeba Media – Trail Sherpa: Community Trail Pilot for Old Loggers Path (Lycoming County)

Trail Sherpa is a community-driven digital platform designed to help residents and visitors better plan, experience, and steward trails in the PA Wilds. This grant will fund the Old Loggers Path (OLP) as the primary pilot trail, with the Loyalsock Trail (LT) developed in parallel as an in-kind contribution by Amoeba Media to validate the platform architecture before the OLP public launch. The Trail Sherpa pilot will organize local knowledge into a centralized community resource where hikers, residents, and trail volunteers can share timely information to help others safely plan trips while respecting the surrounding environment and responsible recreation practices. The OLP trail pack will include offline maps, community reporting tools, and an itinerary planner for multi-day backpacking trips, all free to all users as a public resource, made possible by this grant.

Art in the Wilds, Inc. – Art in the Wilds (McKean County)

Art in the Wilds is a prestigious two-day juried fine art and fine craft show in Kane, PA. It is held in Evergreen Park on the last full weekend in June. This year will be the twentieth year. It will be held on Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28. Sixty-nine artists have applied, where they have included photos of their work and their booths. These will be scored by a panel of three paid anonymous jurists. Forty of the finest artists and artisans will then be invited to take part. Seven food vendors will be available in the park where wonderful smells attract visitors to sit down to eat in food tents with tables and chairs. Piped music is available with live music across the street at the Elks Club. Mini-grant funding will support the 2026 Art in the Wilds event costs.

Cameron County Chamber of Commerce – Cameron County Care Days (Cameron County)

Cameron County Care Days was inspired by the Kare for Kane program that has been so successful in Kane, with modifications made for implementation in Cameron County. Residents will be encouraged to participate in a wide variety of volunteer opportunities in this underserved community that is located in the center of the PA Wilds region. The majority of the funds requested will support capital improvement projects that maintain the traditional town center of Emporium. Projects will include upgrading landscaping at the Barbara Moscato Memorial Library and installing flag poles at businesses throughout Cameron County in celebration of America 250. Volunteers will provide the labor, and the material costs will be split between funds obtained in the grant and the business/organization benefiting from the project. Municipal crews will donate time and mulch for landscaping projects. Grant funds will also be leveraged to purchase other items needed such as paint, plants, or other materials. 

City of Lock Haven – Active Arts Corridor (Clinton County)

The Active Arts Corridor is a planned 1.75 mile route through the City of Lock Haven that connects the Bald Eagle Valley Trail to many points of interest in the city, including downtown businesses and Commonwealth University – Lock Haven campus. The share-the-road corridor will bridge arts and active transportation by providing a bicycle route surrounded by murals and art installations. Since 2024, the City of Lock Haven has been working to implement this project and has made strides in the overall aesthetic of the corridor. In the next two years, the city hopes to gain funding to complete resurfacing of the corridor, infrastructure improvements, and pavement markings. In 2024, the City of Lock Haven was able to complete five murals with support from PA Creative Industries (PA Council on the Arts). Two more were completed in 2025. The city will use the PA Wilds mini-grant funding to support additional murals and art installations in 2026. Grant funds will be used to pay artists and/or cover material costs for the work. These improvements, coupled with the official connection to the Bald Eagle Valley Trail, will encourage use of the corridor and promote active lifestyles and new perspectives in the city.

Clinton County Economic Partnership – Grinduro PA (Clinton County)

Grinduro PA is an internationally recognized gravel cycling event that will take place in Lock Haven, PA, on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Grinduro will bring hundreds of cyclists and visitors to Clinton County, showcasing the region’s scenic gravel roads and outdoor recreation assets throughout Sproul State Forest in the PA Wilds. Known for its unique and inclusive format, Grinduro blends challenging gravel riding with festive aid stations, live music, and a celebratory post-ride atmosphere. The event includes four timed-race segments separated by untimed sections that allow riders to enjoy the landscape, socialize, and experience local hospitality. The 2026 event represents an exciting new chapter for the race as it relocates to Lock Haven and the surrounding Sproul State Forest area. In addition to creating a memorable cycling experience, the event will generate tourism-related economic activity by encouraging participants and spectators to stay overnight, dine locally, and explore area attractions throughout the weekend. A portion of the proceeds will also benefit Pennsylvania Interscholastic Mountain Biking, supporting youth cycling programs across the state. Grant funding will support event planning and community engagement.

Cosmos’ Lounge – PA Wilds Teen Civic Explorer Initiative (McKean County)

The PA Wilds Teen Civic Explorer Initiative is a multi-week, community-driven civic engagement project that empowers rural teens as stewards, storytellers, and ambassadors for the PA Wilds. Teens in rural communities are often left out of the conversation, feeling like they must “wait until they grow up” before participating in civic life or outdoor experiences. While many family-friendly events exist, these usually cater to younger children, leaving teens disconnected from community activities and regional identity. This initiative closes that gap by placing teens at the center of public stewardship and community storytelling. During summer 2026, participants will become Civic Ambassadors and join weekly outdoor excursions across public lands and trails in the PA Wilds region. Each excursion will include Leave No Trace education, stewardship activities like trail cleanups, and conservation learning with regional partners. Grant funds will support transportation, PA Wilds artist facilitators, stewardship materials, safety expenses, and a showcase presentation video.

Denton Hill Ski Patrol – Nordic – Denton Hill Summit Trails Revitalization Project (Potter County)

The Denton Hill Summit Trails are situated on the north and south sides of Route 6, midway between Coudersport and Galeton. They are utilized seasonally by cross-country skiers and snowshoers, mountain bikers, day hikers, trail runners, birdwatchers and stargazers. The trails include small and large loops plus logging roads from earlier clearcut activities.  Additional connector trails add options for shorter or longer trail adventures. The longest loop passes the PA Lumber Museum and through the Denton Hill Ski Area. The Denton Hill Summit Trails Revitalization Project will include the following improvements to create a year-round welcoming environment for outdoor explorers of all ages: roofed table shelters, wet area remediation, new trail signage, and a brochure/flyer with an overview of trail information and QR Code to access an on-line map and more detailed trail information. In addition to teaming up with the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)/Susquehannock State Forest and Denton Hill State Park, the Denton Hill Ski Patrol – Nordic is working with Develop Tioga, who will be serving as the fiscal agent on this project.

East Brady Area Development Corporation – Trail, trailhead and parklet improvements and safety class (Clarion County)

As a gateway to the Armstrong and Redbank Valley Trails, East Brady welcomes long-distance cyclists and hikers traveling through the region. The first half-mile of the Armstrong Trail, partially owned by East Brady Borough, has experienced unauthorized vehicle access and obstructed sightlines, creating safety concerns and diminishing the visitor experience. To address these issues, this project will install one collapsible bollard at the town end and one “No Unauthorized Vehicles” sign at the park end. East Brady Area Development Corporation (EBADC) will also trim approximately 150 feet of arborvitae to improve visibility and pedestrian safety. The trail parking lot sign will be moved to the new lot to better direct users to ample parking and trail amenities like signage and the bike repair station. The trail rules sign will be repaired and reinstalled. To strengthen the connection between trail users and the downtown business district, the existing bike repair station will be relocated to the new trailhead parking lot with a new poured cement pad. Two bike racks will be repositioned into town to encourage visitors to stop, shop, and dine locally, supporting small business vitality within the outdoor recreation economy. The Fuhrer Bridge Parklet, a highly visible gateway entering town, will be revitalized through mulching and installation of perennial plantings to reinforce community pride and curb appeal. When the work is complete, EBADC is planning to host a bike safety and bike maintenance session led by a local bike shop. EBADC will promote this activity and provide refreshments. 

Heath Township Sportsmen’s Club – Heath Township Canoe Access (Jefferson County)

The Heath Township Sportsmen’s Club, along with multiple partners, will be rehabilitating the Heath Township Canoe Launch, located in northern Jefferson County, along the Wild and Scenic Clarion River. In recent years, the launch has been subject to severe erosion, leaving behind a steep bank. This project will regrade the bank to a gentle slope, install stable ramps to the water, live stake the bank to provide riparian protection, and plant native wildflowers in the upland area to provide pollinator habitat.  In addition, the project will include planting trees and adding some larger landscape rocks along the canoe ramp area.

Johnsonburg Community Trust – Johnsonburg Civic Voice & Heritage Activation Initiative (Elk County)

The Johnsonburg Community Trust will use PA Wilds Mini-Grant funding to support the Johnsonburg Civic Voice & Heritage Activation Initiative, a year-long program centered at the historic Brick Block and Heritage-Education & Welcome Center that strengthens civic participation, captures community voice, and advances creative placemaking within the PA Wilds region. This initiative transforms community festivals and educational programming into structured civic engagement opportunities while building long-term capacity for community storytelling aligned with the cooperative Johnsonburg and Ridgway Community Heart & Soul initiative. Participants will be invited to reflect on community identity, the importance of the Clarion River corridor, heritage industries such as lumber, railroads and papermaking, and opportunities for economic development and outdoor recreation. All events will remain free and open to the public to remove barriers to participation. 

Keystone Elk Country Alliance (KECA) – The Elk Country Elk Viewing Guide – An Interactive Elk Viewing Guide & Map App (Multi-County)

The Elk Country Elk Viewing Guide & Mobile App will be an interactive mobile application designed to enhance nature tourism and civic engagement across the Pennsylvania Wilds by providing: detailed descriptions of viewing areas, trails, and visitor amenities across Elk Country and surrounding PA Wilds region; responsible viewing guidelines and safety reminders that align with “ELK SMART” best practices; community-generated content and local business connections to support the regional outdoor recreation economy; and alerts about events and educational opportunities at KECA and partner locations. This tool will empower residents, visitors, and outdoor enthusiasts to safely explore and appreciate Elk Country while increasing awareness of community assets, enhancing tourism experiences, and encouraging local economic activity. The app will be free to download and use, ensuring accessibility for residents and visitors of all income levels. Grant funding from the mini-grant program would support phase one of the plan, to allow KECA to refine content priorities and mapping needs.  In addition, wireframes and functionality will also be developed during this phase.

Lane’s End Farm Creamery and The Scoop Shoppe – Brockway Community Walking Map & Wayfinding Initiative (Jefferson County)

The Brockway Community Map & Wayfinding Initiative will create a beautifully designed and illustrated map, as well as supporting signage, that highlights Brockway’s outdoor recreation assets, small businesses, parks, and community gathering places. Wayfinding signage will be placed throughout the community to help orient visitors and encourage deeper engagement with the town. This effort will help visitors become aware of how many recreational and cultural assets exist within walking distance of downtown. Grant funding from PA Wilds Center will support the process of designing and producing the signage.

Lumber Heritage Region of Pennsylvania, Inc. – Lumber Heritage Trail Wayfinding Sign Renewal for Long-Term Visitor Use (Multi-County)

The Lumber Heritage Trail is a regional wayfinding and heritage tourism program designed to encourage residents and visitors to move through the Lumber Heritage landscape, discover new places, and engage with local communities. The Trail currently includes 23 stops, and the Lumber Heritage Region is actively expanding visitor engagement through a planned geocache trail that will connect the stops through an interactive outdoor experience. Funding from the PA Wilds mini-grant program will help replace and refresh the Lumber Heritage Trail’s physical signage by repainting, repairing, and weatherizing sign components to improve legibility, durability, and long-term appearance. 

Mechanistic Brewing – The Community Mechanism (Clarion County)

Mechanistic Brewing Co. is a craft brewery and community gathering space located in the heart of downtown Clarion, PA — the southwest gateway to the PA Wilds Conservation Landscape. Since opening in 2019, Mechanistic Brewing has grown into far more than a taproom: it is a civic anchor, a cultural venue, and one of Clarion’s most vibrant outdoor public spaces downtown. Grant funding will help support a recurring community event calendar that activates the outdoor space and builds social cohesion, and cover music licensing and performer fees so Mechanistic Brewing can consistently offer free or low-cost events to the community, like Open Mic Night, held the second Friday of the month. Mechanistic Brewing is a family, pet, and ADA friendly gathering space that serves a variety of craft beers, Pennsylvania wines and cider, in addition to craft cocktails, and not to forget non-alcoholic options too. 

Northern Appalachian Discovery Museum – Community-Driven Feasibility Study for the Northern Appalachian Discovery Museum (McKean County)

The Northern Appalachian Discovery Museum (NADM), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Port Allegany, will conduct a comprehensive, community-driven feasibility study for a nature-based children’s discovery museum within the PA Wilds Conservation Landscape. The proposed museum will serve as a year-round destination that advances conservation education, outdoor recreation engagement, and creative placemaking in rural Northern Pennsylvania. Before pursuing land acquisition or capital investment, NADM is committed to ensuring the project is grounded in community input, financially viable, and aligned with PA Wilds’ regional strategy for sustainable economic growth. Mini-grant funding will support a professional feasibility consultant to guide a structured engagement and market analysis process. Community engagement activities will include public listening sessions in Port Allegany and surrounding communities, stakeholder interviews with outdoor recreation partners, local businesses, educators, artists, and conservation organizations, and a regional survey distributed across McKean and other local counties.

PA Made – Weedville Community Mural (Elk County)

The Weedville Community Mural Project will be a 4-foot by 28-foot community-painted panel-mural adhered to the exterior of the PA Made Shop building, located along State Route 255 in Weedville, Elk County. The project will prioritize public input and volunteer participation while transforming a highly visible commercial building into a public art attraction. Mickayla Poland will serve as the lead artist and designer on this project. Residents will be invited to share ideas, imagery, and themes that reflect Weedville’s identity with a focus on local wildlife and landscapes, outdoor recreation, local history, and community values. Based on the input collected from the public, a design will be finalized, panels will be installed then primed and an outline will be drawn onto the panels. Volunteers from the community of all ages will be invited to participate in painting, with youth strongly encouraged to take part. There will be no cost for community participants. Grant funding will support costs associated with this project, ensuring that anyone in the community can participate.

Rail 66 Country Trail – Rail 66 Trail Interpretive Signage (Clarion County)

Volunteers of Rail 66 Country Trail will design and construct four to six interpretive signs that will depict the history of the Knox to Kane railway and its impact on the local community and economy when trains were active and provide trail users with a natural history guide of the flora and fauna that inhabit various ecosystems along the trail. Layout and content of signs will be designed by Rail 66 volunteers.  Commercial, durable laminate signs, sign posts and frames will be purchased from a vendor specializing in park and trail signage. Signs will be posted at predetermined locations along the trail to provide site-specific information.   

The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle – Nature Meets Art – Showcasing Artisans of the PA Wilds (Centre County)

Nature Meets Art – Showcasing Artisans of the PA Wilds will be hosted at The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle and implemented in collaboration with the Bellefonte Art Museum, the Clinton County Arts Council & The Station Gallery, and the PA Wilds Center. The project will take place within the exhibit corridor of The Nature Inn and will not require any participant fees. All community programming, including an artist open house and reception, will be free and open to the public. Grant funding from the PA Wilds Center will help support materials and equipment related to the art exhibit installation and the artist reception, as well as marketing.

Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry – EnChroma Viewfinders in the Allegheny National Forest (Warren County)

The Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry, along with key partners, plan to install viewfinders in the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) that will be equipped with EnChroma lenses. EnChroma lenses are, in short, for color blindness. The Pennsylvania Wilds offer some of the best fall foliage. Tourists and residents will be able to experience the magnificent beauty of the region in full color. This grant will help support purchasing and installing one color-blind viewfinder at the Kinzua Point Information Center, located on Longhouse Scenic Byway. The viewfinder will include signage containing information about color blindness and colors of the PA Wilds’ foliage. They will not require a coin to operate and therefore they are free for everyone to use.

Additional information about PA Wilds Center programs

To stay abreast of current offerings, sign up for our e-newsletter at pawildscenter.org, or check the PA Wilds Mini-Grants page at pawildscenter.org/mini-grants for future opportunities.  To support similar programs and the PA Wilds Center’s mission in the PA Wilds Conservation Landscape, please visit pawilds.com/give. 

ABOUT THE PA WILDS

The Pennsylvania Wilds is a 13-county region that includes the counties of Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga, Warren, and northern Centre. The PA Wilds is home to the greatest concentration of public lands in the Commonwealth. The PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc., is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to integrate conservation and economic development in a way that inspires the communities of the Pennsylvania Wilds. Based in the region, the Center is the lead nonprofit for the PA Wilds Conservation Landscape effort, a 15+year collaborative effort by local, state and federal partners to establish the region as a premier outdoor recreation destination as a way to diversify local economies, attract investment, inspire stewardship, improve quality of life and attract and retain the region’s working-age population. PA Wilds Center works closely with PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, PA Department of Community and Economic Development, the region’s county governments, and other investors in the regional strategy.

For more information on the PA Wilds Center and the Wilds Cooperative, visit www.PAWildsCenter.org. Explore the PA Wilds and find locally made products at www.PAWilds.com.