CAMBA trail rehab wins national award for maintenance work

The Coalition for Recreational Trails named the Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association’s Ojibwe Trail Rehab Initiative a 2026 Annual Achievement Award winner in the maintenance and rehabilitation category. The recognition spotlights how federal Recreational Trails Program funding is being used to preserve trail access and quality in Wisconsin’s Northwoods.

Why it matters: - The award puts a national spotlight on trail maintenance, not just new trail building. - CAMBA’s win underscores how Recreational Trails Program funding can help keep high-use trail systems open, safe and attractive to riders and other users. - The recognition also reinforces the role of partnerships among local trail groups, volunteers and federal trail funding.

What happened: - The Coalition for Recreational Trails selected the Ojibwe Trail Rehab Initiative as one of 10 winners of its 2026 Tom Petri Recreational Trails Program Annual Achievement Awards. - CAMBA received the Maintenance and Rehabilitation category award for its use of Recreational Trails Program funds. - The award announcement came June 11, 2026, from Hayward, Wisconsin.

The details: - The Ojibwe Trail Rehab Initiative was recognized for outstanding use of RTP funds. - Daryl McNutt, CAMBA executive director, said the project reflected the dedication of the trail team, volunteers and community partners. - McNutt said the recognition highlights the importance of partnerships and programs like RTP. - Dr. Patrick Warpinski, CAMBA board president, said the award is a testament to the organization’s work and dedication to enhancing the Northwoods experience for the trails community. - The Recreational Trails Program is now in its 35th year. - RTP has supported nearly 35,000 successful projects nationwide. - The program is administered by the Federal Highway Administration. - This year’s award ceremony will take place June 25 in Washington, D.C. - Project representatives, members of Congress and trails advocates are expected to attend. - CAMBA says its trail network includes more than 135 miles of singletrack, 70 miles of groomed winter trails and more than 200 miles of mapped gravel routes. - CAMBA’s system spans nearly a million acres in Bayfield and Sawyer counties, including parts of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and local county forests. - More information is available from CAMBA Trails, the Coalition for Recreational Trails and the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program.

Between the lines: - The award suggests trail rehabilitation is gaining recognition as a public benefit, not just a maintenance expense. - CAMBA’s emphasis on community collaboration points to how trail systems often depend on volunteer labor and local support to stretch federal dollars. - The RTP’s “user-pay, user-benefit” structure is designed to connect off-highway vehicle gas tax revenue with trail infrastructure.

What’s next: - The 2026 award ceremony in Washington, D.C. on June 25 will formally honor the winning projects. - CAMBA is likely to continue using the recognition to reinforce support for trail maintenance and future trail funding. - RTP remains a key funding source for states developing and maintaining motorized and non-motorized trail facilities.