A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Sunflower Rail-Trails Conservancy, Inc. (SRTC) is a group of volunteers working to help other organizations develop trails in the state of Kansas. Our members live in various parts of the state, and have personal involvement with active trail groups. We monitor the availability of railroad abandonments, work to get them rail-banked, and work to find interested local people to begin development. Trails are places where families can enjoy the beautiful outdoors together. They are places where individuals may safely and healthily exercise. Trails, rail-trails particularly, also provide in modern times the original, essential purpose: to link communities together. We believe that an essential element of the health of present and future Kansas generations relies upon opportunities and encouragement towards an active lifestyle; and that an active lifestyle depends upon places where activity can occur.

Sunflower Rail-Trails Conservancy is an umbrella alliance of rails-to-trails organizations in Kansas, the Sunflower State. Member organizations work to develop and maintain rail-trails and other recreational trails. SRTC serves as an information clearinghouse.

Our EIN: 48-1061533

Our Mission

The mission of the Sunflower Rail-Trails Conservancy is to: (I) promote and facilitate the development of recreational trails in the state for use by the general public; (2) educate the public on the benefits of recreational trails; (3) facilitate the formation of an alliance of organizations concerned with recreational trails in the state; (4) encourage the development of nature-based and recreation-based tourism and economic development; and, (5) cooperate with local, state, federal and private agencies concerned with the foregoing.

Our History

The Sunflower Rail-Trails Conservancy was incorporated in 1987 as the “Rails-to-Trails Coalition of Kansas”. The organization re-organized in 2000 and changed its name to “Sunflower Rail-Trails Conservancy, Inc. in 2010. The Corporation was organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes, as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. The organization was founded by Larry Ross and Clark Coan.

Sunflower Rail-Trails Conservancy Organization Information