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The First HULET HORNBECK AWARD

For an individual that, like Hulet Hornbeck, exemplifies long-standing vision and wisdom in support of trails.

Tom Ross

	Tom Ross

Tom Ross has served in various capacities since 1988 to offer leadership for the National Trails System in the National Park Service's Washington Office. In February 2006 he retired from the National Park Service to work as Executive Director for the Maryland Recreation and Parks Association, based in Wheaton, MD.

Since 1997, Tom had served as the NPS Assistant Director for Recreation and Conservation. In this capacity, he provided national leadership for the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA), Land and Water Conservation Fund state assistance (LWCF), Urban Park and Recreation Recovery (UPARR), National Trails System, Federal Lands-to-Parks, and the Wild & Scenic River programs. Previously Tom spearheaded the NPS Trails and Greenways Division. Under his patient leadership and guidance, the NPS National Trails System function prospered.

Tom Ross has shouldered many responsibilities during his long career (photo by Stuart Macdonald)

As a believer in grass-roots empowered community-based conservation, Tom saw early the potential of the National Trails System and helped craft a central role in it for the Park Service. He encouraged and helped sustain long-term partnerships with such groups as American Trails, the American Hiking Society, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, and the Partnership for the National Trails System. His guidance, common sense, broad-ranging vision, and charm have graced the National Trails System "community" for over 16 years.

Tom has been a true friend to American Trails over the years and also helped save the National Trails Symposium several times. Tom is missed already, but we look forward to working with him in his new capacity. Tom has been a pioneer and a visionary, and we can't think of anyone more fitting or deserving to receive the 1st "Hulet Hornbeck Award!"

Lifetime Service | Hulet Hornbeck Award | Trails for Health | Partnership | Trails Public Service | Outstanding Media | Trails and the Arts | Planning/Design | Corporate | State-of-the-Art Technology | Trail Sharing | Trail Advocate Awards | Trail Worker Awards | Awards Index

See previous National Trails Award Winners from 2004, 2002, and 2000.

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For more opportunities for training on trail design, construction, and management see the National Trails Training Partnership area.