Nominees must have demonstrated significant and sustained efforts to provide positive public exposure and education in the field of trail use, planning, design, implementation, or policies. The nominee must have demonstrated a willingness and receptiveness to provide free public service exposure about trails.
Photo by the Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Iowa
The Des Moines Register newspaper has consistently and for many years been a public source of reliable information and strong advocate for trail development on a local, state and federal level.
Their coverage has addressed trail issues from numerous perspectives such as personal stories, land condemnation issues, funding (state & federal), maintenance costs, location, public participation, volunteers, design, editorials, and public reactions.
Lately they have been carrying articles on river-related water trails and the Whiterock Conservancy trail system, which is part of the Iowa Great Places Initiative and is related to the national American Discovery Trail.
The Register extensively covers trail issues on the local and metropolitan area in addition to statewide trail news. They are well known for their strong, well written and numerous editorials advocating for trails everywhere. In addition, they sponsor RAGBRAI, Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, the longest, largest, and oldest bicycle-touring event in the world. RAGBRAI started in 1973 and each year 10,000 riders and 5,000 support people come from all over the world to enjoy the ride. Coverage by the Des Moines Register and other local media provides great publicity for trails.
2015: Governor's 100 Missouri Miles
2013: Michigan Department of Natural Resources
2010: Bob Fulcher
2008: The Tennessee Conservationist
2004: Joli Harrington
2004: Barbara Krebs
