Advancing Trails Awards

The Advancing Trails Awards Program recognizes the tremendous contributions of volunteers, professionals, and other leaders who are working to create an effective system of trails across the globe.

2023 Advancing Trails Awards

American Trails Advancing Trails Award winners were announced at the 2023 International Trails Summit Awards Ceremony that took place April 17, 2023 in Reno, Nevada.


2023 Award Winners by Category

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2023 winner, Janet Phillips

2023 winner, Janet Phillips

Hulet Hornbeck Lifetime Service

This award is for an individual that, like previous board member and trail advocate Hulet Hornbeck, exemplifies long-standing vision and wisdom in support of trails.

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2023 winner, Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects

Trail Planning and Design

This award recognizes a trail project of any size that demonstrates innovative planning and design techniques, while incorporating accessibility, and making a positive contribution to the community it serves.

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2023 winner, USDA Forest Service Eastern Region 10-Year Trail Shared Stewardship Challenge

Partnership in Trail Management

This award is given to a partnership in trail management which benefits agencies or services within the field of trail planning, design, or implementation while capturing an important aspect of the trails community.

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2023 winner, North Carolina Great Trails State Coalition

Partnership in Trail Management

This award is given to a partnership in trail management which benefits agencies or services within the field of trail planning, design, or implementation while capturing an important aspect of the trails community.

See past winners of this award.


2023 winner, Wheeling Public Art Trail

Trails and the Arts

This award recognizes the integration of art with the trail experience including outstanding public art works, interpretive signs, or other creative structures, sounds, or even smells associated with trail related enhancement.

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2023 winner, Arizona Alliance for Livable Communities

Trails for Health

This award recognizes a community’s commitment to improving access to trails and promoting their use and importance for increasing physical activity.

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2023 winner, Carson City Open Space and Muscle Powered

Trail Promotion and Education

This award recognizes innovative and successful strategies for promoting and increasing trail use and understanding.

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2023 winner, Brazilian Trails Network

International Trail Leadership

This award acknowledging global leadership in developing and promoting best practices in trail planning, connectivity, and collaboration.


Awards by Year

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2023 Advancing Trails Awards

The Advancing Trails Awards Program is one way that American Trails recognizes the tremendous contributions and successes of exemplary people across the globe who are working to advance trails. These awards are presented every two years during the International Trails Summit. American Trails worked with the World Trails Network – Hub for the Americas to select the International Trails Partnership award.

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USDA Forest Service Region 9 10 YTC

2019 Advancing Trails Awards

The Advancing Awards Program is one way American Trails recognizes the tremendous contributions and successes of exemplary people across the globe who are working to advance trails. These awards are presented every two years during the International Trails Symposium and Training Institute.

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Anne Gullion Photo 2

2017 Advancing Trails Awards

Awards were presented at the 23rd International Trails Symposium - May 7-10, 2017, Dayton, Ohio.

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Greater Yellowstone Trail Concept Plan

2015 Advancing Trails Awards

The awards celebration was held in Portland at the Oregon Convention, April 16, 2015.

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2013 Advancing Trails Awards

The awards celebration was held at Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Arizona, April 16, 2013.

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2010 Advancing Trails Awards

The awards celebration was held in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Nov. 16, 2010.

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2008 Advancing Trails Awards

The awards were presented on Nov.17, 2008 at the 19th National Trails Symposium in Little Rock, AR.

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2006 Advancing Trails Awards

The awards were presented on October 21, 2006, at the 18th National Trails Symposium in the Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois.

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2004 Advancing Trails Awards

The awards were presented on October 23, 2004, at the 17th National Trails Symposium in Austin, Texas.

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2002 Advancing Trails Awards

The awards were announced at the 16th National Trails Symposium in Orlando, Florida, November 10-13, 2002.

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2000 Advancing Trails Awards

The awards celebration was held in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Nov. 16, 2010.

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Sundial Bridge at night - MB