| Trail Tracks e-Newsletter |
October 2007 | |||||||
|
American Trails is the World's largest online resource for planning, building, managing, and supporting trails and greenways.
Welcome to Trail Tracks, American Trails' e-newsletter. In each issue you can expect information on the latest news and issues in the trails world, as well as information on training, education, and new resources on the American Trails website.
ACTION ALERTS WHAT'S HOT
National Recreation Trails nominations due November 1st Photo Contest for NRTs Decline in bicycling and walking linked to the nation's obesity epidemic New book Trail Tales ~ hot off the press - just in time for the holidays! FEATURES TRAINING NEW RESOURCES
Are trails and bike facilities getting a bum rap? Recent rhetoric opposing funding for trails and greenways gives us a preview of the fight for the next federal transportation funding program. Now is the time to document how YOUR trails and bicycling and walking facilities are important parts of our national transportation infrastructure? Read More... Trails and bike paths offer a large return for a very small investment While investment in alternative modes of transportation won’t fully solve our daunting problems, simply building more roads and bridges won’t either. More creative solutions are needed and bikes and walking shoes are part of this solution and they are a very apropos means of travel for these times. No one in the bicycle and trails community suggests that highways and bridges are not absolutely necessary infrastructure to be funded and maintained. We are saying, though, that bicycle and walking facilities are also part of the picture. They offer a large return for a very small investment of a penny or so of each Federal Transportation dollar spent. Op-Ed by Robert Searns, Chair of American Trails. Read more… Deadline for commenting on Accessible Trails Guidelines: October 18th Proposed design guidelines for accessible routes will change the way you plan and build trails. You have until October 18 to make your voice heard. Read more… Congressman Sarbanes introduces "No Child Left Inside Act" This bill will include critical environmental education measures in the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, known as "No Child Left Behind." Please encourage your Representative to co-sponsor this important piece of legislation! Read More... Protect your rights Protect your rights as a recreationist: Help pass the technical correction to the HIPAA bill. Read More… For the latest news, legislation, action alerts, opportunities, job announcements, and more, visit the American Trails Website.
National Recreation Trails nominations November 1, 2007 is the deadline to submit nominations for National Recreation Trail designation. Every year new trails are proposed to become part of the National Trails System. Read more… Photo Contest for NRTs October 31, 2007 is the deadline to enter the National Recreation Trails photo contest sponsored by American Trails. Our annual contest provides awards in several categories and shows off entries (and previous winners) on the NRT website. Read more… Thunderhead Alliance links decline in bicycling and walking to the nation's obesity epidemic
"Bicycling and Walking in the U.S.," Thunderhead Alliance's first biennial Benchmarking Report, shows that bicycling and walking have been in decline in the U.S. since the 1960s. At the same time there has been a surge in adults and children who are obese. The report compares, for the first time ever, bicycling and walking levels, investment in bicycling and walking, and public health. The most striking findings reveal major disparities between cycling and walking levels, traffic fatalities, and federal funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects. Read more… New book Trail Tales ~ hot off the press - just in time for the holidays!
Check out Trail Tales, Roger Bell’s new book on the laughter, the adventure, the woes, and the memories of 35 years of trailbuilding…in rhyme no less. It is hot off the press – just in time for the holidays. Trailbuilders will take a trip down memory lane as they laugh alongside Roger; non-trailbuilders will gain a new appreciation for the complexity of the art. Roger is the Owner of Bellfree Contracting, Inc., Vice-Chair of the American Trails Board, and a Board Member of the Professional Trailbuilders Association. Order your book today…
Winning Websites announced See the winners as well as links to the many great sites nominated for the 2007 American Trails Website Contest. Learn about new projects and interesting ways of presenting trail information on the internet. Read more… "Half-baked" trails? Make the case for “well done,” “medium rare,” and “works in progress” trails. Article from the Fall 2007 issue of American Trails Magazine by Robert Searns, The Greenway Team and Chair, American Trails Board. Read more… Safety for road and trail crossings Learn about considerations and designs for trail crossings in the Safe Trails Forum. Two recent studies are "Road and Trail Intersection Safety" from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Parks & Trails New York, and "Trail Intersection Design Guidelines" from the Florida Dept. of Transportation. Read more… Help visitors find your trail VISIT FLORIDA discovered the number one question asked at the state’s welcome centers was “Where can I bicycle in Florida?” Learn more about the growing importance of trails in tourism and how Florida is responding to this need/opportunity. Article from the Fall 2007 issue of American Trails Magazine by Jim Wood, Florida Office of Greenways and Trails and American Trails Board. Read more… Trail is a laboratory for artists Forest Art Wisconsin worked with species and plants of the forest while creating a unique walking experience on the 1.5 mile Raven Nature Trail with the theme of "Native/Invasive." Read more… What's your opinion? We welcome your ideas, editorials, and your vision of the future of trails and greenways. Look for a variety of viewpoints in the "Trail Tracks" forum, and submit your opinion for possible use on the website or publication in the American Trails Magazine. Read more… Read more articles, studies, and resources…
Skills for trail work A new area for skills used in trails and greenways work includes specific competencies as well as resources, publications, and training providers for 12 categories including: Trail Design, Construction, Management, Organizational Development, Public Outreach, and more. Read more… 4th Missouri Trail Summit October 25-27, 2007 ~ 4th Missouri Trail Summit: Crossroads of the Midwest - Kirkwood, MO. Read more… Mid America Trails and Greenways Conference December 9-12, 2007 ~ Mid America Trails and Greenways Conference - Chicago, IL. Sponsored by eight midwestern states featuring educational sessions and mobile workshops; an excellent opportunity for all those involved in trails and greenways to share their experiences, learn from each other and continue connecting our trails and greenways. Read more… Check the Online Calendar of Trainings The Online Calendar of courses, conferences, and educational events is brought to you by the National Trails Training Partnership (NTTP). Outdoor Stewardship Institute is the "New COTI" Colorado Outdoor Training Initiative (COTI) and Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) have merged to create the Outdoor Stewardship Institute (OSI). Read more… Colorado Outdoor Training Initiative offers new workshops Colorado Outdoor Training Initiative offers new workshops on several topics which are available to states and organizations who want to bring training closer to home. Read more… A Checklist and Brainstorming Guide for Trails Training This checklist is designed to be used as a quick guide to looking at training in your State or region. It may be used as a tool for brainstorming, turned into a questionnaire, or built into a work plan to improve statewide training. Many of the ideas in this document came from the experiences of the Colorado Outdoor Training Initiative (COTI). This project was developed by American Trails, in cooperation with the National Trails Training Partnership and COTI. Read more… American Trails offers Trainings:
To find more trainings, visit the Online Calendar.
Maximizing Trail Budgets through Competitive Bidding Learn how to get the best value for your trail dollars by putting together a fair and competitive bidding process. This essential article is a preview of the Fall 2007 issue of American Trails Magazine by Tone Boone, Arrowhead Trails, Inc. and Cuatro Hundley, Anasazi Trails, Inc. Read more... Cross Country Trail at Crow Creek Park, Bettendorf, Iowa See photos of a mowed trail with crushed rock sections built as part of new park development. High school students, as well as the public, are users of the three-mile trail for runners as well as walkers and Cyclocross Racing. Read more... Teton Valley guide promotes community pathway systems Teton Valley Trails and Pathways has a great new handbook on "PATHWAYS: how they are important - how they help sell homes - how to build them." Read more... American Trails Magazine American Trails Magazine is our newest publication to meet your needs for timely, state of the art information on all aspects of trails and greenways. We cover news, events, legislation, agency policies, projects, people, funding, and resources. Join American Trails today to receive this great publication and help support our mission of trails for all Americans! Read more articles, studies, and resources…
Send news and calendar items to trailhead@americantrails.org. |
Do you need training? Do you have training opportunities you'd like to publicize? Are you a trails expert who can teach trail skills to others? The National Trails Training Partnership wants to work with you to make training more available.
New Opportunity for Members of American Trails: Highlight your business through the American Trails website!
| |||||||
| Trail Tracks e-Newsletter |
October 2007 |
