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FALL 2008 edition
— 40 years of the National Trails System: making the connections

See articles below or download pdf (4.8 mb) - 40 pages

News:

• National Trails System: a grand experiment: Celebrating 40 years of progress towards a nationwide system of trails
• For a healthier America: RTCA celebrates 20 years; by Terry Eastin, Executive Director, Mississippi River Trail, Inc.
• Keep up to date on funding and legislation as we head into reauthorization of the federal transportation program in 2009

Supporting trails and greenways

• Next challenge for trail advocates: Federal transportation funding; A message from the Executive Director
• We'd like to thank the Sponsors of the National Trails Symposium: Dozens of companies, agencies, communities, and individuals are sponsorng American Trails' 19th National Trails Symposium
• Citizens’ campaign promotes trail funding bill in Arkansas; by Terry Eastin, Executive Director, Mississippi River Trail, Inc.
• Be a supporter with the Member Organizations of American Trails: It's easy to join American Trails online and help us support trails and greenways for all Americans

Recognition for trails

• U.S. Forest Service designates new National Recreation Trail: North Carolina Mountains to Sea Trail joins NRT roster
• Looking for great photos of National Recreation Trails: enter your photos of designated NRTs in our annual photo contest sponsored by American Trails
• National Trails Awards will recognize people across America who are working to create our national system of trail, at the 19th National Trails Awards Celebration Banquet

Health and economic benefits of trails

• "Dangerous trails of Duluth:" Accessible trail evaluation and repair; helping more people enjoy the trails of Duluth, Minnesota
• Trails for health: Logansport Memorial Hospital becomes an Indiana town’s trail advocate
• Dr. Richard Jackson speaks on Trails: Prescription for Better Health at the 19th National Trails Symposium
• Getting Kids Out on Trails! is subject of Symposium Keynote by Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods

Improving our community trail systems

• Why host the Symposium? the long-term benefits of inviting the nationwide trails community to your town; by Terry Hanson, City of Redding, California
• The bridge to somewhere in Moab, Utah; The new Riverway Bridge spans the scenic Colorado River
• Fayetteville’s Scull Creek Trail is the spine of 129-mile system; big plans and innovative implementation enable Arkansas city to create a real system of trails
• Wayfinding for trails and roads in the Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois; People get lost— and the new wayfinding system is going to fix that

Long Distance Trails

• Going long: nurturing the long-distance trails movement; By Robert Searns, Chair, American Trails
• Closing the gaps: a focus on completing the long-distance East Coast Greenway; By Charles A. Flink, Chair, Board of Trustees, East Coast Greenway Alliance
• Trail of Tears: the Arkansas Setting is subject of mobile workshop and photo exhibit at 2008 National Trails Symposium
• Star-Spangled National Historic Trail is newest in National Trails System

Stewardship and trail improvement

• Trail users and land managers unite for sustainable equestrian trails: Education and partnerships are the keys to preserving opportunities for trail riding; by Debbie Caffin, USDA Forest Service
• Trail horse users: a perspective on progress; by Gene W. Wood, author of Recreational Horse Trails in Rural and Wildland Areas: Design, Construction, and Maintenance
• Friends make the link with a new bridge for the Colorado Trail: Volunteers help close an 80-foot gap in the 500-mile
• Marshall University updates course offerings on OHV recreation: Courses for college credit are offered in planning, development and management of off-highway vehicle recreation

Training and resources

• Education opportunities at the National Trails Symposium: Join us in Little Rock for Mobile Workshops, concurrent sessions, mini-workshops, and many more great programs
• Art & Community Landscapes is a new report and gallery about public art along trails, rivers, and open space
• See more new resources: scroll down when you visit the Home Page at AmericanTrails.org
• Online Calendar is the way to find training: Take advantage of the many opportunities to learn new skills, enhance your career, get volunteers trained, and build better trails

Last Child in the Woods author will be featured at Symposium

In preparation for our Closing Keynote, Richard Louv, at the upcoming National Trails Symposium, we’d like to encourage you to purchase your copy of Last Child in the Woods in our online store. In his book, Mr. Louv proves that children need nature just as much as nature needs children, and identified a phenomenon we all knew existed but couldn’t quite articulate: nature-deficit disorder.

Please visit our advertisers!
— Rhino Recreation Marking Systems: www.RhinoMarkers.com or (800) 522-4343
— Cross Alert Systems: www.crossalert.com or (866) 276-7725
— Pannier Graphics: www.PannierGraphics.com/AmericanTrails or (800) 544-8428
— Eco Counter people counting solutions: www.eco-counter.com/
— Little Rock, Arkansas: http://littlerock.com/
— JAMAR Technologies, Inc.: www.jamartech.com or (800) 776-0940

JOIN AMERICAN TRAILS!

The American Trails Magazine is the only nationwide publilcation covering the needs of all trail users, planners, managers, agencies, and activists. American Trails Magazine includes articles on current events, funding ideas and grants programs, legislation in Congress, new technology, trail and greenway planning, tools for advocacy, trail benefits and economic impacts, accessible trails, environmental issues, training opportunities, news from the federal agencies, state trail programs, publications and resources, and training opportunities.

Next challenge for trail advocates: Federal transportation funding

A message from the Executive Director

WITH THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY of the National Trails System Act we should also reflect on how a vision can shape the future. Should we revisit Trails for All Americans and strengthen our vision for trails into the next decade? At the Symposium, we will explore strategies to increase funding for trails in the next transportation bill, to stop the ongoing cuts to our federal land-managing agency budgets, and to successfully secure additional funding sources and find new partners.

In this fascinating political time there is one thing that rises above politics: our mutual commitment to trails. Trails are for all Americans, and Americans care deeply about their trails.

American Trails received 191 nominations for the 2008 National Trails Awards program! After reading these inspiring stories, my heart is overflowing as we plan to celebrate these wonderful people and their projects at the Symposium. Think of all the healthy communities and happy memories that are being created because of them! Our work is so important and impacts so many lives. Most of these projects are the result of transportation dollars.

Reauthorization should facilitate active transportation improvements Americans need to improve their daily lives. We need to redouble our efforts to document the value of trails and bike/pedestrian facilities as transportation infrastructure, and we must be an active and positive voice in the reauthorization process.

Other ways to promote the value of your trails and open space are to invite your elected officials to walk, ride, or celebrate a new section of trail or a new project. Thank your Members of Congress for supporting funding through Transportation Enhancements and the Recreational Trails Program.

Politics may be “business as usual” inside the Beltway, but for trails to grow to meet the needs of all Americans we need to be even more creative. We hope you will join us at the Symposium! We need your input and involvement— for the future of trails…

Read more about the mission of American Trails, our board members, and supporters: www.AmericanTrails.org.

Star-Spangled National Historic Trail is newest in system

WHEN WE CELEBRATE THE bicentennial of the War of 1812 in four years we will have the newly-designated Star-Spangled National Historic Trail to help us chart the events of the war.

Sites along the trail will mark some of the most important events of the War of 1812, which is often referred to as our nation’s Second War of Independence. The trail will also feature maritime-related interpretation, and will encourage private boaters, as well as commercial tour boats to retrace these water routes. Chesapeake Bay Gateways & Watertrails Network has awarded the Maryland Office of Tourism Development $100,000 to develop an access plan for the water portion of the trail.

The trail moves through Maryland and Washington, DC, and ends at Fort McHenry in Baltimore, site of the defeat of the British and where Francis Scott Key wrote what was to become our National Anthem.

See the index of American Trails Magazines

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