Outdoor Visitor Safety Fund

Project Contact: Senior Administrative Analyst, Erika Seward

530-265-1572, Erika.Seward@nevadacountyca.gov

About the Program

The Outdoor Visitor Safety Fund (OVSF) was established to fund projects or programs that respond to the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and promote health and safety at highly impacted outdoor recreation destinations.

Nevada County recognizes the connection between the economic resilience of our community, the health of ecosystems, tourism, and outdoor recreation, and the timely opportunity to support community health, safety, economy, environment, and resilience. Nevada County experienced a significant increase in visitation to outdoor recreation destinations during the pandemic. Without appropriate infrastructure, this increased visitation strains local resources, creating environmental and safety issues at lakes, river crossings, trails, and similar outdoor recreation destinations.

Specifically, this project addresses the unmet need(s) at outdoor recreation sites to promote community health and safety, economic development, and resilience; and further the American Rescue Plan of America (ARPA) priority of “2.22: Strong Healthy Communities: Neighborhood Features that Promote Health and Safety”.

Funding Sources

The OVSF grant program provides up to $850,000 in one-time grants to eligible entities, including nonprofit organizations, for-profit businesses, and special-purpose districts.

The “Outdoor Visitor Safety Fund Grant” program, as presented to the Board at its January 2022 Retreat, is funded by $400,000 from the General Fund and $450,000 from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
The first round of funding through ARPA resulted in 9 awards and $415,570 given to local organizations to affect change in Eastern and Western Nevada County. Learn more about those projects below.
The second round of funding through ARPA and General Fund dollars resulted in 8 awards and $388,840 given to local organizations to affect change in Eastern and Western Nevada County. Learn more about those projects below.

How Funds Can Be Spent

The County sought proposals to the Outdoor Visitor Safety Fund for high-impact projects or programs that can be implemented in 2023 and/or 2024. 

Proposals must address unmet needs at outdoor recreation sites and promote public health and public safety; and should support economic development, enhance equitable access, promote environmental sustainability, address climate change adaptation, and promote resilience. 
Competitive proposals should be collaborative, highly leveraged, and “shovel-ready” for either the 2023 and/or 2024 recreation seasons.