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ALERT!

Trail funding comes down to the wire in Congressional debate - and your help is needed NOW!

Compromises are being made in conference and may be devastating for trails!

The House and Senate began a conference committee in early May to try to reconcile their two versions of a new surface transportation bill. Until this week, it has appeared that there were irreconcilable differences and many leaders in the trails world projected there most likely would be another extension until following the election. However affairs have DRAMATICALLY changed over the last couple of days, and there may very well be a bill by the June 30th deadline, when the current authorization expires.

Compromises are being made in conference and may be devastating for trails! The trails community has worked tirelessly to secure dedicated funding for Recreational Trails, Transportation Enhancements, and Safe Routes to School. Under new discussions, these programs are at great risk, as one proposal gives Governors the opportunity to opt out of these programs.

As the debate in Congress continues, NOW is a crucial time to let your Senators and Representative know that you support funding for trails and bike/pedestrian facilities.

ACTION NEEDED: 

The message is simple, tell your members of Congress:

Please preserve dedicated funding for the Recreational Trails Program, Transportation Enhancements, and Safe Routes to School.

Call or email your members of Congress now:  

• CLICK HERE to contact your Senators.
• CLICK HERE to contact your Representative.

And, if you live in California, it is especially important to ask Senator Barbara Boxer, Chair of the Conference Committee, to stay strong on protecting dedicated funding for trails, walking, and bicycling. Senator Boxer's Washington office number is (202) 224-3553. 

 See action alerts and current status...

June 28 webinar: The Art of Sustainable Trail Management

Space is limited! Reserve your seat today! 

Tony Boone of Tony Boone Trails, LLC will present "The Art of Sustainable Trail Management" on June 28. Learn the essentials of developing and managing natural surface, shared-use trail systems from a professional trailbuilder with years of international experience. Tony's expertise has helped guide, sculpt, and construct over 800 kilometers of world class trails in China, the Phillipines, and Australia. His passion is creating sustainable, kinesthetically, and aesthetically diverse trails, and teaching others to do the same. He is highly skilled in the utilization and training of state-of-the-art trail technology and trail building equipment. Tony has been an active member of American Trails and the Professional Trail Builders Association since 1995. His primary focus since the summer of 2010, has been assisting the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) to develop their international markets. The webinar is geared primarily towards beginning and intermediate level trailbuilders: including volunteers, agency staff, and professional trail crews. The online seminar continues the American Trails "Advancing Trails Webinar Series." Learn more and register now!

Chinese farmers, the Trek/IMBA trail crew in Chengdu, Sichuan, China

In its annual announcement of new National Recreation Trail designations, the Department of the Interior celebrated the addition of 54 trails to the National Trails System. The trails are located in 23 states and span a wide range of activities, histories, and environments. Several new water trails are included, continuing the trend toward more designated paddling routes across the country. Other types of trails range from backcountry pathways, rail trails, and community greenways, as well as trails at National Wildlife Refuges and Army Corps of Engineers projects. Read more and see the list of new NRTs... 

On June 5 the Coalition for Recreational Trails (CRT) presented its "Annual Achievement Awards" to two state programs and seven projects. These examples of outstanding use of Recreational Trails Program funds cover different types of trail work, such as construction, education, multiple-use management, environment and wildlife compatibility, accessibility, and conservation corps. In addition, awards for "Outstanding State Trail Program" and "Outstanding State Trails Committee" were given. Read more and see photos... 

Find products and consultants in our Online Business Directory

The American Trails Online Business Directory provides a convenient way for trail planners and managers to find the best trail related services and cutting-edge products. The Business Directory not only has a new look, but is more user friendly, includes a search function, and is more interactive. Check out the Business Directory today... 

June 30 is the last day to take advantage of substantial savings for the American Trails Online Business Directory. With a one-year contract, new advertisers can reach their target markets for less than $25 a month! But, you have to act now, as rates will be increasing for (the first time) to $45 a month beginning in July. Supporter members save an additional 10% on their listing, and Patron members save 15% and become a Featured Listing. Download the Advertising Packet and send in your contract today! 

Take action for trails: get the facts and contacts in one place

American Trails "SUPPORTING TRAILS" pages provide the latest on current issues and debates and the ongoing efforts of American Trails to continue its 24+ years of support for positive policies and funding for trails and greenways. Please join our efforts to report the value of trails and bicycle/pedestrian facilities as transportation infrastructure, and be an active and positive voice in the transportation reauthorization process, Federal land management agency budgets, and more. We continuously add news and action items to these pages. Check back often and forward this link on through your networks... 

Through the American Trails Online Store you can now purchase webinars (and archived webinars), trail maps for some of America's most spectacular outdoor destinations, trail planning and design books, American Trails memberships, and more! The newly designed format is easy for shoppers and provides more trail resources than ever before! Click here to access the new Online Store... 

The American Trails Board recognizes Special Donors

On behalf of the American Trails Board and Staff, we would like to recognize these special DONORS that recently contributed to an important program for American Trails:

• E.T. Techtonics 
• Pannier Graphics 
• Rhino Marking & Protection Systems 
• Terrabilt Wayfinding Systems 
• Voss Signs 

As of March 2012, there is a new element to utilizing the National Recreation Trails (NRT) program authority. Based on the priority actions of the America's Great Outdoors report, Department of the Interior Secretary Salazar has established the National Water Trails System (NWTS), a new class of NRTs. The National Water Trails System will protect and restore America's rivers, shorelines, and waterways; conserve natural areas along waterways; and increase access to outdoor recreation on waterways and shorelines. The vision of the NWTS is to create a distinctive national network of exemplary water trails that are cooperatively supported and sustained by public, private, and/or nonprofit entities. With the recent development of the National Water Trails System, an enhanced focus on providing and promoting water-based trail opportunities throughout the United States will complement the existing network of National Recreation Trails. Rivers, lakes, and other waterways can now apply to become part of the National Water Trails System. To apply, the water trail manager will follow the basic guidelines of the National Recreation Trails program; in addition, they need to address how seven (7) best management practices are followed on their water trail. Learn more and make application at http://www.nps.gov/watertrails. Read Frequently Asked Questions... 

The President and nearly every Governor have declared June 2012 as Great Outdoors Month. The American Recreation Coalition anticipates that the remaining Governors will issue proclamations before the month ends. The proclamations are each unique, but certain themes are dominant. At least 40 proclamations emphasize the role outdoor recreation plays in mental and physical health. Support for conservation efforts is referenced in 37 of the documents, and the importance of the outdoors for kids and families is mentioned in 22. Volunteerism is praised in 19 - and virtually all urge people to go out and enjoy the Great Outdoors! You can view President Obama's proclamation here, and all Great Outdoors Month Proclamations here. Additional proclamations will be posted as they are received.

"Urban trails have become an essential element to quality of life in cities all over the United States," says the featured Opinion in the Spokane Spokesman-Review. "A generation after it began, urban trailblazing continues to expand recreation opportunities across Spokane County. The new hiking and bicycle paths may lack the romance of the covered-wagon era, but the health and economic benefits will be just as long-lasting." Read the editorial... 

Funding crisis threatens West Virginia bridge renovation

"For at least 10 years, Charleston-area trail enthusiasts have dreamed about converting the old CSX rail trestle across the Kanawha River for cycling and walking," writes Jim Balow in The Charleston Gazette. "The 105-year-old span would be the key link -- the centerpiece -- of the Kanawha Trestle Trail that would stretch from the state Capitol to South Charleston and beyond. Last Monday, though, City Council members... dealt a crushing blow to those dreams when they 're-purposed' almost $800,000 of federal transportation funds that Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., had earmarked for the project in 2004." Read more and see photos...

Installation of an unusual timber truss trail bridge made for an aerial ballet on the Oak Leaf Trail in Milwaukee. The 96-foot bridge, which replaces a steel railroad bridge, was assembled off-site. The Journal Sentinel reported that, "its glued, laminated arches and other pieces were built in the Dakotas by Wheeler Lumber and shipped to Milwaukee as a giant kit." Read more and see video... 

Violet Crown Trail to link 30 miles of Austin communities and open space

Almost the entire 30 mile trail route has been acquired, reports Austin360.com, and a master plan is finished. Environmental and engineering studies are mostly done and trail routes scouted. "It will be the longest regional trail in Central Texas," said Butch Smith, project manager with the Hill Country Conservancy, which has been instrumental in planning the trail. Read more and see maps...

Most of the new trail system, which includes 34 bridges, is meant to be shared by hikers and bikers. Two miles are strictly for hikers. "The new trails take the place of an existing trail system. The parks eventually will remove the old trails, which have widened over time because of run-off and use," reports James Ewinger in The Plain Dealer. The trails were built primarily by hand, with Student Conservation Association and Cleveland Mountain Bike Association providing most of the labor. Read more and see map and photo... 

Connecting Kids and Families to the West's Great Outdoors

The Western Governors' Association's new report finds that children in the West are spending less time enjoying the region's great outdoor spaces. This is especially true of the youngest Westerners. The report asks, "If getting kids out into nature can 'boost mental acuity and creativity and promote health and wellness' as Richard Louv claims, then what can families, the public and private sectors, do to help connect kids to the outdoors near their homes and schools?" State programs are described as models for action. Learn more and read recommendations...

It's time to think about nominations for National Trails Awards

The National Trails Awards are sponsored by American Trails to celebrate the leaders of our national system of trails for their outstanding contributions. This is the opportunity to recognize an outstanding person, project, or organization with America's most prestigious trail awards. A new "International Trails" category is being introduced this year. Winners will be announced at the Awards Banquet on April 16 at the 21st American Trails International Trails Symposium in Arizona. The deadline for submitting nominations is October 31, 2012. See previous award winners and learn more about the National Trails Awards... 

Desert trails and rivers in Fountain Hills, Arizona

Fountain Hills is the community adjacent to the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Resort Destination, the location of the 21st American Trails International Trails Symposium. Once you've taken in panoramic views of rugged mountains and slopes lush with vegetation unique to the Sonoran Desert, choose from a network of trails for hiking, biking, and wildlife watching at McDowell Mountain Regional Park or Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain Preserve. The Town of Fountain Hills also has lakes, urban trails, parks, and a public art collection. Read more and see photos of Fountain Hills trails... 

Exhibitors: learn how to get your logo on the American Trails homepage - deadline June 30th

Calling all exhibitors! July 31 is the deadline to save 15% off exhibitor fees. June 30 is the deadline for sponsors and exhibitors to get their logo link on the American Trails homepage and an article in an issue of the Trail Tracks e-Newsletter. Learn more and download the exhibitor contract...

Thank you to our sponsors and exhibitors!

We want to extend a huge thank you to our sponsors and exhibitors to date for the 21st American Trails International Trails Symposium! Learn more and link to these exhibitor's websites... 

• Arizona State Parks
• Radisson Fort McDowell Resort Destination
• Central Arizona Project
• Fountain Hills CVB
• Mesa CVB
• Scottsdale CVB
• National Park Service
• US Fish & Wildlife Service
• Bureau of Land Management
• USDA Forest Service - Trails Unlimited
• USDA Forest Service
• US DOT Federal Highway Administration
• The Acorn Group/Acorn Naturalists
• Advanced Resource Solutions, Inc.
• American Conservation Experience
• American Quarter Horse Association - STEP Program
• Asphalt Systems/USA Soy Solutions
• Aztec Engineering
• Backcountry Horsemen of America
• Bellfree Contractors, Inc.
• Beneficial Designs
• E.T. Techtonics, Inc.
• Envirosigns, Ltd.
• Erica Fielder Studio
• Gail Materials
• Grovesite
• Interpretive Graphics, Signs, & Systems
• iZone
• K Design
• Kay-Linn Enterprises
• National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council
• Northwest Woodland Services, Inc.
• Okanogan Trail Construction, Inc.
• Pioneer Bridges
• Plastic Recycling of Iowa Falls
• Professional Trailbuilders Association
• Rhino Marking & Protection Systems
• RideNow Powersports
• Rockart Signs & Markers
• Santa Fe Trail Association
• Southwest Conservation Corps
• Terrabilt Wayfinding Systems
• Voss Signs
• Wheeler

New Zealand creates new trail system with a focus on tourism

In 2009 the New Zealand Government began to form a $NZ 50 million project into a 1,500-mile network of 19 "Great Rides." New Zealand Cycle Trail Programme Manager John Dunn says the economic vision was to create immediate jobs through construction of the cycle trails, and longer term jobs via the increased tourism demand that a network of cycle trails would bring. There would also be complimentary health, environmental, and recreational benefits for both New Zealanders and visitors from offshore. Read more and see photos...

In August 2009, the government of Guangdong Province, China, announced the first greenway project in the country's history - a major greenway network to serve the population of the greater Shenzhen region in southern China. This is an urban and rural area with over 25 million inhabitants. The Pearl River Delta Greenway Network Plan called for building a regional network of over 1,000 miles with six branches of inter-city routes networking 200 forests, parks, natural conversation areas, and scenic spots. Read more and see photos... 

Volunteers are making ambitious trail partnerships work

"To face the reality of declining budgets at every level of government required to provide for maintenance and reconstruction of our national trail systems is a depressing and serious problem," writes Alan Hill with the Shasta Trinity Unit of Backcountry Horsemen of California. He explores the success as well as complexity of a 20-year partnership among the Shasta Trinity Unit of Backcountry Horsemen of California, US Forest Service, and California Conservation Corps. All trail users will be interested in the lessons learned and how the partnership process works. Read more and see photos... 

Cool Trail Solutions photo gallery: trails with two adjacent treads

Separate trails in the same corridor provide for different activities. In many urban trail corridors the sheer amount of use creates some dificulties for sharing the trail. Wider trails are one solution. But how wide do you want to make the trail? And does a single surface material satisfy all trail users? In many cases, the better solution is to provide two or even three pathways or trail treads with different surfaces. Other treatments seek to make the separation of treads more clear. Read more and see photos...

Featured NRT: Kanatak Trail, Becharof National Wildlife Refuge, AK

One of the newly-designated National Recreation Trails of 2012, the Kanatak Trail, is in a remote and primitive natural setting. The route was used for centuries as a connection between the Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea by the resourceful people of the Alaska Peninsula, and provides an unusual educational and recreational experience for today's visitor. Getting to the trail is an adventure in itself, requiring a boat or plane. Recent improvements to the trail, which is managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, were made by a Student Conservation Association crew. Read more and see photos...

Archived webinar on water trail accessibility available for purchase

The American Trails' webinar, "Water Trail Accessibility: Assessing and Creating More Accessible Facilities and Programs," is now available online. Featured presenters Mike Passo with Elakah Expeditions, LLC, Doug Alderson, the Paddling Trails Coordinator for Florida Office of Trails and Greenways, and Bob Searns of The Greenway Team, share their experiences with creating paddling trails on a variety of waterways, with real life examples and case studies of water trail challenges. American Trails members save on the purchase price! Read more and learn how to purchase a copy of the archived webinar...

More findings are available from the National Trails Training Partnership (NTTP) survey of training satisfaction and needs. Besides more details of how people answered the survey questions, summary reports for different types of respondents are also available on our website. The survey seems to reinforce the continued efforts by NTTP partners in promoting specific training opportunities, as well as making training more available. NTTP partners will continue to discuss implications of the survey for coordinating training nationwide as well as priorities for action. Read findings from the National Trails Training Survey... 

Summer training opportunities for 2012: see our online training calendar

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 National Trails Training Partnership, 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 for summer 2012:

June 28 - Online Webinar: 10:00-11:30a.m. Pacific 

* American Trails Webinar: The Art of Sustainable Trail Management ~ Register Now!  

July 5-8 - Bozeman, MT

* Adaptive Paddling Workshop

July 8-14 - Lone Pine, CA in the Wilderness

* Mountain Horsemanship: Veterinary Care and Horsepacking

July 12-14 - Lexington, KY

* Southeastern Equestrian Trails Conference

July 14-15 - Carlisle, PA

* American Red Cross Wilderness & Remote First Aid Course

July 14-17 - New York, NY

* International Urban Parks Conference

July 16-20 - Lakewood, CO

* Accessibility Management in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism

August 20-24 - Portland, OR

* Comprehensive Bicycle Planning & Design

August 21-25 - Great Falls, MT

* NOHVCC Conference

American Trails knows that you are passionate about trails and the positive impacts they bring to your community. Congress is taking dramatic steps to reduce federal trails funding in the upcoming year. 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 

• Visit our Blog. 
• Join us on Facebook and Twitter! 
• One of the largest online resources in the world for trail advocates is www.AmericanTrails.org.
• 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!
• Learn about and find National Recreation Trails (NRT) near you today! 
• I'm a Pathways for Play advocate. Ask me why. 
• The Online Trails Training Calendar connects you with courses, conferences, and trail-related training.
• Find Products and Services for Trails. 
• Purchase books, memberships, and webinars through the American Trails Online Store.
• What's your opinion? Send us your editorial or opinion piece.
• Need Trails Training? Visit www.TrailsTraining.net. 
• 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. 
  Help us better serve you! Take our online web survey! 
• Join American Trails - one of the World's most comprehensive online go-to sources 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: Boardwalk along Spanish Bay near Asilomar State Beach, CA. Photo by Stuart Macdonald.