SHIMANO AND IMBA INCREASE SUPPORT FOR TRAIL PROJECTS VIA DIG IN FUNDRAISING

 

Shimano and the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) are pleased to announce that every project participating in the summer 2022 Dig In fundraising campaign received Shimano matching funds, boosting each of these projects by an additional $2,000. Funds raised this past Dig In cycle will facilitate school trails and pump tracks, expand shared-use community trail systems, and encourage diversity among trail users and trail advocacy leaders. 

“The IMBA team is excited to announce that the summer 2022 round of Dig In projects all received matching funds from Shimano. The money raised this past summer supports projects that will enhance trails and outdoor recreation opportunities in a number of communities, and aids the long-term vision of trail advocacy organizations doing great work to diversify the sport.” said David Wiens, IMBA Executive Director. “Every day IMBA works toward creating and enhancing more trails close to home, and Dig In is just one of many programs that helps make trails happen!” 

The next Dig In application period runs for the month of November 2022. Projects on public land that increase community trail access, improve mountain bike experiences, bolster volunteer recruitment, new rider development, and further diversity, equity and inclusion are encouraged to apply. Once selected, these projects will be featured on the Dig In platform on IMBA.com beginning January 1, 2023. This winter cycle of Dig In projects will be eligible for $5,000 of matching funds per project, more than doubling the previous amount matched. This fundraising cycle will run January 1st – March 31st, 2023. 

IMBA will host a Dig In Campaign Application Workshop for interested organizations and stakeholders on Monday October 24th, 6pm EST. This workshop will be open to everyone, but please note only IMBA Local Partner organizations, both Chapter-level and Affiliate-level organizations, who are not-for-profit corporations are eligible to submit an application for Dig In. IMBA staff will be available for questions related to Dig In and IMBA Local Program membership. Please register in advance. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with details about joining the meeting. 

Visit https://www.imba.com/digin for details about applying for the first Dig In cycle in 2023.

Summer 2022 Dig In Projects: 

Fort Duffield Expansion Kentucky Mountain Bike Association (KyMBA) – West Point, KY. KyMBA Louisville will expand the Fort Duffield trail system by building new trails, adding or maintaining features, and reopening one section of the system. Professional builders will construct the trail, assisted by KyMBA Louisville volunteers. 

Diversity in Mountain Biking Clinics Access4Bikes – San Rafael, CA. Access4Bikes is growing the mountain biking community by offering free clinics to diverse and underprivileged communities in Marin County with professional coach Brian Astell of Trailworks and a bilingual assistant coach. 

Nagel Middle School Bike Park Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance (CORA) – Anderson Township, OH This mountain bike skills park will be sited on Nagel Middle School campus, where students can develop bike skills and challenge themselves physically and mentally. The park will also be open to the public outside school hours and serve as a practice site for the local NICA team. 

Pine Knob Mountain Bike Park Ozark Off Road Cyclists (OORC) – Russellville, AR. OORC will revitalize a wooded city park, inviting mountain bikers and walkers to relax and embrace nature among large pine trees en route to a scenic vista view of the city. Dig in funding will support the park main entrance sign, trail signs and construction materials. 

Sapwi Flow Trail Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association (CORBA) and Conejo Recreation and Park District (CRPD) – Thousand Oaks, CA. The Sapwi Flow Trail Project aims to add a unidirectional, bike-only trail to the existing Sapwi Bike Park, which is free, open to the public and accommodates all levels of riders. It will be the first of its kind in the Conejo Valley. 

Trails at Wiggins Community Center Northeast Alabama Biking Association (NEABA) – Anniston, AL. NEABA aims to add 2.5 miles of trails to Wiggins Community Center, which hosts after-school and summer biking programs. Funds raised will help pay for training of the NEABA volunteer trail crew, as well as trail markers and a kiosk. 

CAMTB Pathways to Leadership Project (PTLP) California Mountain Biking Coalition (CAMTB) – Statewide, California. CAMTB statewide awareness and recruiting campaign to increase diversity on the board of directors of California trail advocacy organizations. PTLP aims to ensure the needs and perspectives of underrepresented mountain bikers are recognized and prioritized in outdoor advocacy.