Jana Renner Highlights Innovative Trail Funding at National Summit

This October, Jana Renner, Senior Program Officer for the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, served as a panelist at the Rails to Trails Conservancy’s TrailNation Summit in Cleveland, Ohio. During the panel, she shared insights on how communities can move beyond traditional funding models to overcome the challenges of working across municipal lines, sectors, and timelines — all to make it safer and easier for people to walk, bike, and be active outdoors.

Drawing on her leadership experience with the Paso del Norte Trail and other regional trail initiatives, Ms. Renner provided a valuable perspective on the role of philanthropy in advancing large-scale, cross-sector projects. As federal funding priorities evolve, she emphasized how foundations can serve not only as funders but also as strategic partners in long-term, systems-level solutions that improve health, mobility, and access to outdoor spaces.

The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy works to build a nation connected by trails, creating safe and accessible public spaces for everyone. Locally, the Paso del Norte Trail represents a community-driven effort to establish a county-wide trail network across El Paso County, promoting active living and regional connectivity.

Learn more about the Paso del Norte Health Foundation and its work at pdnhf.org.