WHAT'S HOT

Now is the time to support the Recreational Trails Program!

Your support is needed! The Coalition for Recreational Trails believes that now is the time for organizations and individuals to ask their Senators to protect dedicated funding for this absolutely essential program. American Trails, a member of the Coaliltion, is asking everyone to write, email, or call your two Senators and tell them to restore dedicated funding for the RTP before the Federal Transportation bill is considered by the full Senate. Read more and learn how to take action... 

Watch for new updates on federal trail and transportation funding

Congress returned for the 2012 legislative session on January 23. A key issue will be the long-delayed transportation bill, which funds trails and bike/ped programs as well as roads. The House declined to release its version of the funding bill before the holidays, while the Senate bill, when last heard from, would eliminate dedicated trails and bike/ped funding. Supporters of Enhancements, Recreational Trails, and Safe Routes to School have been working on legislators to see if any key members of Congress can be persuaded to champion these programs. See current status and watch for breaking news... 

Support trails and keep up to date on actions in Washington, DC

  AMERICAN TRAILS

INTERNATIONAL TRAILS SYMPOSIUM 

Help shape the program for the International Trails Symposium

The American Trails International Trails Symposium (ITS) is being held at the Radisson on the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation near Fountain Hills, Mesa, and Scottsdale, Arizona in April 2013. The momentum in Arizona is already growing! We know that training and travel budgets are limited and want to make sure there will be content specific to what you need. Please take a few minutes to fill out this survey. Your answers will help shape the Symposium! Responses requested by February 3. Click here to take the survey...

International Trails Award to make its debut at the 2013 Symposium

The new International Trails Award will recognize an outstanding project or partnership -- that occurred outside the United States -- that demonstrates outstanding planning, design, or implementation and enhances the overall trails movement worldwide. Submissions describing the trail or greenway (or trail or greenway system) including successful aspects such as planning, design, challenges solved, public participation, sustainability, economic benefits, promotion, eco-tourism, and benefits to the local and global community are encouraged to submit a nomination. The deadline for submissions is October 31, 2012. Read more and download the nomination packet...

Maricopa regional trails system offers miles of trails

Maricopa County in Arizona is home to one of the largest regional park systems in the United States. Ten parks in the system circle the Phoenix metropolitan area, preserving approximately 120,000 acres. Funding for the regional trail system has been made possible through federal and state grants and general fund money. The department has also set-up the Maricopa Trail+Park Foundation to allow for tax deductible donations. Read more... 

Memphis area communities to be linked along Wolf River Greenway

The Memphis Commercial Appeal reported on trail construction projects. "If the weather cooperates, the Wolf River Greenway in Memphis will connect to the Germantown Greenway this summer -- making it the first time two cities will be joined in Shelby County with an off-road paved trail for joggers, walkers, and bicyclists." The project includes an elevated boardwalk and two 100-foot bridges. The planned 30-mile Wolf River network will link downtown Memphis to the cities of Germantown and Collierville, and to the Shelby Farms Greenline rail trail. Read more and see photos...

Meetings to explore expansion of Ohio water trail system

One proposed water trail route would traverse the Ohio & Erie Canal and the Tuscarawas River, creating a long-desired water link from the Portage Lakes to downtown Akron, OH. The paddling routes could boost tourism and economic development, as well as nurture support for clean water and attract young professionals, advocates say. Summit County is helping fund the study. A similar water trail for paddlers has been proposed in northern Summit, Portage, Geauga, and Cuyahoga counties along the Cuyahoga River. Read more...

American Trails updates Mission, Vision, and Core Values

American Trails envisions a network of diverse, high quality trails for all people and a trail within 15 minutes of every home, school, and workplace. American Trails seeks trails and greenways that promote: Accessibility, Healthy lifestyles, Economic vitality, Sustainable development, Best practices, Experiences in the outdoors, Appreciation for the outdoors, Learning in the outdoors, and Connectivity. Read more... 

Continental Divide Trail Alliance plans to cease operations

Volunteers needed for research on high altitude effects

Traveling to high altitude can result in a variety of symptoms, collectively called acute mountain sickness. The Neural Systems Group at Massachusetts General Hospital seeks volunteers for a brain imaging research study to help learn why this occurs. In order to participate you must be 18-50 years old and able to have an MRI. The study will involve 5 visits, spread over approximately 4-7 weeks, at both MGH in Charlestown, MA and the altitude chamber at the US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine in Natick, MA. You will be compensated for your participation. The contact is Andrea Gunn, Neural Systems Group, amgunn@partners.org or (617) 643-0659. Read more...

Celebrating the life and accomplishments of Hulet Hornbeck

American Trails and trail supporters around the country mourned the loss of Hulet Hornbeck on January 7, 2012. He enjoyed a distinguished career as Chief of Land Acquisition for the East Bay Regional Park District from 1965 through 1985, and was well known for his many years of volunteer efforts on behalf of trails. He was a founding board member of the National Trails Council, predecessor to American Trails. He actively and enthusiastically served on the American Trails Board for over 16 years. Hulet inspired us all with his zest for life, integrity, wisdom, passion for trails, and unwavering vision for preservation. Read more about Hulet on our Memorial Webpage, the Obituary from his family, and remembrances from others on the American Trails Blog...

Harrowing experiences on the trail, Part 2: A near death fall

Roger Bell continues his series of stories of challenging times in backcountry environments. Part 2, "A near death fall (aka Santa Ana's Revenge)," tells the story of a sudden and nearly fatal accident due to an unwise choice of trail alignment. "Toward the end of the first season we got to this really difficult section that seemed totally unsafe because, as we cut into the slope, large rocks from above were dislodged." Read more... 

South Korea promotes Jeju Olle Trail as major tourist destination

Jeju Island has been mainly a Korean tourist destination, with popularity rising in the 1970s as a top honeymoon location for newlyweds, but thanks to the Jeju Olle Trail, Jeju is experiencing a surge in tourism. With the first trail route's opening in 2007, over 3,000 people made the trip to the island to hike the trail, and the numbers have only continued to rise. Estimates for 2010 have established tourist numbers around 800,000 with more people predicted to have hiked the trail system in 2011. Read more and see photos...

More paddling trails designated as National Recreation Trails

More water trails have been designated as National Recreation Trails. Scenic paddling trails in many states provide signed routes with a variety of facilities and recreation opportunities for canoeists and kayakers of all abilities. They range from short lake loops on Wildlife Refuges and Corps of Engineers lakes to the 631-mile Alabama Scenic River Trail. Read more and see trail details...

American Hiking Society's Volunteer Vacations build effective trail workers

Thousands of dedicated volunteers have sharpened their skills on trail stewardship projects hosted by American Hiking Society's Volunteer Vacations. Volunteer crews provide their sweat equity to assist understaffed and underfunded federal, state, and local land agencies and organizations to keep America's trails safe and accessible. Many of these workers make an even bigger contribution by enhancing their trail building and leadership skills to become an American Hiking Society Crew Leader. Read more and see a schedule of 2012 project opportunities...

Find courses and workshops that YOU can host in your area

If your agency, community, or organization would like to see about hosting a trails training course locally, the National Trails Training Partnership has resources to help. See the "Featured providers of training and resources" webpage on the NTTP website. Many different kinds of training on a wide variety of trail-related topics, from the general to the specialized, are available. Contact the experts, businesses, or groups who can help you provide the best training to volunteers and staff on your own trail system or park. See all the Featured Training Providers...

Find workshops and trails training opportunities across the country

Check the Online Training Calendar for a wide variety of learning opportunities for volunteers and professionals engaged with trails of all kinds. American Trails, through the NTTP, works with agencies and organizations across America to promote trail-related training. Let us know if we can publicize your training, courses, workshops, or conferences! See details on events below and many more opportunities for training on the Online Trails Training Calendar...

Upcoming trail-related training opportunities in 2012:

February 1-3 - San Antonio, TX

* Texas Trails and Active Transportation Conference

February 2-4 - San Diego, CA

* New Partners for Smart Growth Conference

February 11 - Davis, CA

* Open House for Horse Programs

February 11-16 - Washington, DC

* Hike the Hill: Trails Advocacy Week 2012

February 12-15 - Washington, DC

* The Corps Network's 2012 National Conference

February 13-16 - San Francisco, CA

* Principles & Techniques of Fundraising

March 4-8 - Las Vegas, NV

* Association of Partners for Public Lands Convention & Trade Show

March 7-8 - Albuquerque, NM

* Trail Contracting Roundtable

March 9-11 - Columbiana, AL

* Alabama Hiking Trail Society Conference

March 10 - Alpharetta, GA

* Equine Land Conservation Forum

March 12-14 - Orlando, FL

* National ADA Symposium

March 19-21 - Sacramento, CA

* California Land Conservation Conference

March 20-22 - Washington, DC

* 2012 National Bike Summit

March 27-29 - Washington, DC

* National Legislative Forum on Parks and Recreation

Contact us with your scheduled training opportunities at NTTP@americantrails.org. 

American Trails launches new website area for International Trails

A new section at www.AmericanTrails.org covers greenways and trail systems around the world. From mountain bike systems to urban river corridors to long-distance pathways, trails are a growing interest in many countries. As we have learned from the European tradition of footpaths and dedicated bikeways, other countries are now learning from our explosion of community trails and rail trails. We're looking for more resources to add to this area. Email us items to add or browse the International Trails index... 

2011 San Jose trail count shows trail use continues to rise

San Jose has conducted its fifth annual Trail Count for 2011. The count and survey of trail users was initiated in 2007 to show the Administration that special event closures in the downtown area had a big impact on usage and enjoyment of the City's trails. The survey reveals that over 50% of trail users are commuting to and from Silicon Valley. Most responders say that longer trails and gap closures could attract more visitors to the trails. Read more and see photos...

Partners lead acquisition of mountain for Cumberland Trail in Tennessee

Several partner organizations and agencies worked together to assemble funding and negotiate the right combination of conservation mechanisms to add 10 miles to the Cumberland State Scenic Trail. The Land Trust for Tennessee became involved at the point where the Cumberland Trail State Park was willing to purchase the land, but lacked sufficient funding for such a large acquisition. The Land Trust's nimbleness as a private nonprofit also provided much-needed flexibility for coordinating time-sensitive aspects of the transaction, such as the survey and appraisal. Read more and see photos...

Winter 2011 American Trails Magazine available online

The American Trails Magazine, available in digital format, will continue to meet your needs for timely, state-of-the-art information on all aspects of trails and greenways. We cover news, legislation, action items, trainings, success stories, events, people making a difference, creative funding ideas, the latest resources, information on products and services you need, and much more! Join American Trails to help us continue to provide our informative magazine as a service at no charge to the trails community and to continue to be an extensive resource for you. See the current issue of the American Trails Magazine...

Your support helps us help trails!

Our mission is to enrich lives and communities by advancing the development of trails and greenways. If you've enjoyed any trails in the last 23 years, odds are good that American Trails' work has benefited their development. Congress is taking dramatic steps to reduce federal trails funding in the upcoming year. American Trails knows that you are passionate about trails and the positive impacts they bring to your community. We need your commitment of support in order to help us secure funding and to continue advocating for more and better trails across the country! Please take a moment to become a member of the American Trails network or make a donation to support our work...

Thank you for supporting American Trails and America's trails!  

 ......... 

 QUICK LINKS 

• Join us on Facebook and Twitter! 
• Attend, Exhibit, Sponsor! The 21st American Trails International Trails Symposium (ITS) ~ April 14-17, 2013. Check out the early exhibitor discounts and benefits and their deadlines!
• I'm a Pathways for Play advocate. Ask me why. 
• The NTTP Online Calendar connects you with courses, conferences, and trail-related training.
• Need Trails Training? Visit www.TrailsTraining.net.
• Find Products and Services for Trails. 
• The largest online resource in the world for trail advocates is www.AmericanTrails.org.
• Purchase books and memberships through the American Trails Online Store.
• What's your opinion? Send us your editorial or opinion piece.
• Cool Trail Solutions: view galleries of trail projects, enhancements, and facilities to give you ideas and see how others solved typical trails and greenways problems.
• If you appreciate the thousands of resources we provide to help you do your work better, please help support American Trails ~ make a donation today.
• Join American Trails and receive a 40% discounted rate (dropping the price to just $29.95) on an annual unlimited subscription for access to over 47,000 trails on Trails.com.
• American Trails wants your opinion! Take our online web survey! 
• Join American Trails - the World's most comprehensive online go-to source for planning, designing, building, funding, managing, enhancing, and supporting trails and greenways ~ Join Now!  

Send news and calendar items to trailhead@americantrails.org.

American Trails is a tax-exempt, nonprofit charitable organization under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible.

Header photo: Barefoot beachwalking section of the California Coastal Trail, La Jolla, CA - photo by Stuart Macdonald