PLACES & SPACES NEWS RELEASE
During the National Celebrate Trails Day festivities on Saturday, April 25, Places & Spaces Los Alamos (PSLA) presented the Los Alamos Tuff Tykes with the first of many PTS Trail Catalyst Grants to come. The $500 award was presented to Tuff Tykes representatives led by Tuff Tykes’ Mom, Karla Sartor. The grant is to support the Tuff Tykes’ upcoming “YIMBY Adventure Film Festival” project.
Fueling Local Innovation: The PTS Trail Catalyst Fund
The PTS Trail Catalyst Grant program is a funding initiative by PSLA designed to help sustain community traditions across the Pajarito Plateau and Eastern Jemez as well as spark new outdoor activities. By providing micro-grants of up to $500, PSLA aims to support local groups—ranging from mountain bike clubs to small businesses—in reducing financial barriers to public events.
“We are looking for creative projects with sound plans that leverage community resources and volunteer hours,” said Kevin Holsapple, Project Leader for PSLA’s Pajarito Trails Initiative. “The YIMBY Adventure Film Festival is a perfect example of an initiative that can connect residents and visitors with our region’s unique outdoor culture.”
Applications Remain Open on a Rolling Basis
Do you have an outdoor activity that needs a boost … or an idea for a new outdoor or trails event? The 2026 PTS Trail Catalyst Fund remains open for applications. While PSLA provided $2,500 in seed funding to initialize the grant pool, the organization is seeking community partners and sponsors to replenish the fund as grants are made, with the hope that the fund will never run dry. More Info on how to apply, evaluation criteria, requirements, etc.
Key Program Details for Applicants:
- Broad Eligibility: Open to non-profits, recreational clubs, local businesses, and “Friends of” groups.
- Flexible Funding: Grants can cover essential costs like insurance, permits, rentals, signage, marketing, services, and supplies.
- Simple Process: Applications are accepted via a streamlined online form and reviewed generally on the first of each month. The Tuff Tykes award will have been made within two weeks of their application.
- Community Impact: Preference is given to high-reach events that engage a broad cross-section of the local and visitor communities.
Join the Trail Community
The announcement coincided with the launch of pajaritotrails.us, a new digital hub where residents can find interactive maps, a unified calendar of events and activities from more than 15 area organizations, and focused outdoor stories and news crowd-sourced from the community. Users can add interesting events to their personal calendars with just a click. The calendar is built with Google Calendar, so it has all of the platform’s interactivity and ease of use. PTS can also be followed on Facebook and Instagram using the tag @pajaritotrails
About the Tuff Riders YIMBY Adventure Film Festival
YIMBY (Yes! In My Backyard!) is a youth-oriented adventure film festival that celebrates the joy, accomplishment, community, and connection that come from exploring the outdoors close to home. Held at the SALA Theater in Los Alamos, the event features a curated lineup of award-winning short, family-friendly films highlighting biking, backcountry travel, environmental stewardship, and inclusive adventure. Proceeds from the festival directly support Tuff Tykes, a local youth mountain biking program, helping provide equipment, coaching, and access for kids to ride trails on the Pajarito Plateau. The festival’s primary goal is to inspire kids and families to get outside, build confidence and skills on local trails, and foster a strong, inclusive outdoor community rooted in stewardship and shared experience.
About Places & Spaces Los Alamos (PSLA) & the Pajarito Trails Series (PTS:
PTS is a part of PSLA’s Pajarito Trails Initiative. PSLA is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting places and spaces for community life … including the trails and outdoors in our area.