American Trails saves your trails, promotes trail access, and lets you know about trail opportunities. Get involved -- LEARN, CONNECT, ACT, ENJOY!
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December 2017 "Trail Tracks" eNewsletter
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January 11 Webinar: Communicating the Benefits of Trails
American Trails will present this Webinar on January 11, 2018 with Megan Lawson of Headwaters Economics and Kelly Pohl, a geographer with expertise in community-based trail development. It covers the best research on potential benefits of different types of trails, as well as the legal issues.
Read more and register for the Webinar...
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Trail and conservation groups have jobs to fill
There are jobs available for a variety of trail-related work. See the American Trails Employment postings for professional as well as entry-level jobs. We post trails and greenways employment, seasonal work for conservation corps, bicycle pedestrian advocacy, trail organizations, state parks, and federal agencies.
See current jobs available...
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Economic impacts of outdoor recreation cited
"Outdoor recreation is a driving force in the American economy, generating more than $887 billion in annual spending and supporting tens of millions of jobs across the country." The American Recreation Coalition’s new report
Outdoor Recreation Outlook 2018 covers the economic benefits of America’s Great Outdoors.
Download the report (pdf 255 kb)...
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Encourage Your Organization to Join the RTP Council of Advisors
Some years back, when the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) faced major challenges in the U.S. Congress, the Coalition for Recreational Trails (CRT) formed its RTP Council of Advisors, eventually enlisting more than 500 state and local organizations in the successful effort to reauthorize the RTP. In order for our organizations to act quickly to address the many challenges ahead, we would like to re-establish the Council of Advisors. Ask your favorite trail organization to join the Council of Advisors.
Download the application form (.doc 34 kb)...
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New issue of
American Trails Magazine
online
The Winter 2017-18
American Trails Magazine is available to read online. See the latest selection of articles and resources from around the world of trails and greenways.
Click here to read the online version...
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Old Erie Canal Trail hosts winter and summer fun
Old Erie Canal State Park is a 36-mile stretch at the heart of the 360-mile cross-state Erie Canalway Trail, which follows the alignment of the present day as well as the historic Erie Canal and is open to multiple user groups.
Read more and see photos...
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Mountains-to-Sea Trail hiked on “MST in a Day” event
On the exact 40th birthday of the North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail, more than 1,700 people working together completed 100% of the 1,175 mile MST hiking route, from Clingmans Dome on the Tennessee line to Jockey’s Ridge State Park on the coast.
Read more and see photos...
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Featured Recreational Trails Program-funded project: Glendo State Park, Wyoming
In an effort to encourage more use and visitation at Glendo State Park, Wyoming State Parks and a variety of partners planned a new trail system. After five years of trail construction and the completion of 50 miles of trail, it is now the largest specific-built and well maintained system in Wyoming.
Read more and see photos...
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Featured National Recreation Trail: Great Allegheny Passage
The Great Allegheny Passage is a 150-mile multiple use rail-trail from Pittsburgh, PA to Cumberland, MD where it links to the 185-mile C&O Canal Towpath to provide a nonmotorized, nearly level trail all the way to Washington, DC.
Read more and see photos...
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IL governor announces plans for OHV trails on reclaimed strip mine
In 1993, the Sahara Coal Co. closed its doors and some 300 miners lost their jobs. But recently, Gov. Bruce Rauner visited that company’s reclaimed strip mine and announced that the state plans to develop a 26-mile off-highway vehicle trail system here, the first-of-its kind on state-owned land in Illinois.
Read more and see photos...
Wyoming's expanding trail system could link communities
The Casper Star Tribune reported that trails are popping up throughout Wyoming in communities as small as Story to as large as Cheyenne and Casper. "Purpose-built trails, both paved and natural surface, are a trend that’s becoming increasingly popular, said Tim Young, executive director of Wyoming Pathways."
Read more and see photos...
Leaders unveil 15 projects for Austin's greenway system
New trailheads, restrooms, playgrounds and a study for a potential pedestrian bridge over Lady Bird Lake are among projects announced by Austin's Trail Foundation. Since the group’s creation 15 years ago, trail use has grown exponentially. The trail now records an estimated 2.6 million visits every year.
Read more and see photos…
Canal being reborn as trail to history a century after its demise
Activists are saving remnants of the 102-mile Morris Canal across New Jersey. The goal is to stitch these segments into the Morris Canal Greenway, a ribbon of hiking and biking parks across six counties that would celebrate an intriguing, overlooked chapter in the state's history.
Read more and see photos...
Editorial: New trails boost metro's quality of life
The Omaha World-Herald wrote about approval of a long-sought connector trails in the region. Consider it part of the push to curb rising health insurance costs. Cities with better networks of parks and trails often foster healthier residents. Consider the need to compete for talent in the modern economy."
Read more and see photos...
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Toronto skate trail racing towards winter opening
A very Canadian enhancement to Toronto's public realm is a new skate trail under the Gardiner Expressway. The trail will be the first part to open of the new sheltered park from Waterfront Toronto to be known as "The Bentway," a 1.75 kilometre-long public space largely funded through a donation from Toronto philanthropists Judy and Wil Matthews.
Read more and see photos...
Hike the hills of Seychelles with help of new guidebook
The islands of Seychelles in the Indian Ocean are popular for their tropical beauty. While many visitors prefer to laze on the amazing white sandy beaches, others are discovering the wilder side of the islands. A guidebook to trails across four islands was launched in Paris.
Read more and see photos...
Such a good time: The Twin Coast Cycle trail
Join three kids and two adults on New Zealand's Twin Coast Cycle Trail - Pou Herenga Tai. It runs 87 km across the North Island from the Bay of Islands to the remote and picturesque Hokianga Harbour.
Read more and see photos...
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New learning credits offered for American Trails Webinars
Starting in January, American Trails is now proud to be a certified provider of the following learning credits and continuing education opportunities:
- Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System (LA CES)
- American Institute of Certified Planners Continuing Maintenance (AICP CM)
- National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) CEU equivalency petition
American Trails will include the above learning credits and CEUs in the registration fee for every webinar as well as ITS registration. Starting in January 2018, AT members pay only $19 per webinar, and nonmembers pay $39. Please note that AT members will no longer receive free webinar registration after January 1.
Cool Trail Solutions: rails with trails photo gallery
“Rails with trails” that include a trail adjacent to an active railroad are subjected to concerns about Safety and liability from rail operators. However, trails, bike lanes, and sidewalks run along roadways with endless traffic under the control of thousands of per- sons without even fencing. See photos of rails with trails across America.
View Cool Trail Solutions photo gallery...
VOC takes stewardship training to Brazil
Volunteer for Outdoor Colorado was invited to Brazil’s capital for a three-day confer- ence on managing public lands. VOC's director Ann Baker brought training materials and project manuals to show how VOC manages upwards of 5,000 volunteers in nearly 90 trail and stewardship projects each year.
Read more...
Florida guidelines for developing boat launch sites
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission developed guidelines to help planners and designers create inexpensive and sustainable access for non-motorized boats. A variety of accessible launch features are included.
View illustrated presentation...
Find trail training opportunities
January 2018
January 7, 2018 — Technology on the Trail 2018 Workshop
January 10, 2018 — Webinar: Trails Funding in Oregon
January 11, 2018 — Webinar: Communicating the Benefits of Trails
January 24, 2018 — Webinar: Electric Mountain Bikes
January 26-27, 2018 — McDowell Sonoran Conservancy Symposium
February 2018
February 11-14, 2018 — The Corps Network's National Conference
February 22, 2018 — Webinar: Trail Construction Cost Realities
February 25 - March 1, 2018 — Public Lands Alliance Convention and Trade Show
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JOIN THE AMERICAN TRAILS NETWORK
Working together - works! There is strength in numbers!
For over 29 years,
American Trails has been a collective voice for a diverse coalition of enthusiasts, professionals, advocates, builders, land managers, conservationists, and friends of the outdoors and livable cities.
American Trails will continue to keep you informed on both trail know-how and issues critical to the future of trails. With your help, we can increase funding for trails, keep more trails open, and improve the health and well-being of Americans of all ages and abilities, including our children.
American Trails is a tax-exempt, nonprofit charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible.
QUICK LINKS
- American Trails - maintains the world's most comprehensive online go-to sources for planning, designing, building, funding, managing, enhancing, and supporting trails, greenways, and blueways at www.AmericanTrails.org.
- SAVE THE DATE: 2019 International Trails Symposium in Syracuse, NY – April 28 to May 1, 2019
- Visit American Trails "Supporting Trails" web page for alerts and legislation.
- Read about great Recreational Trails Program funded projects by visiting the Federal Highway Administration’s RTP Database website.
- Find products and services for trails in our Online Business Directory.
- Visit our Blog.
- Join us on Facebook and Twitter!
- Learn about and find National Recreation Trails (NRT) near you today!
- The Online Trails Training Calendar connects you with courses, conferences, and trail-related training.
- Purchase books, maps, memberships, and webinars through the American Trails Online Store.
- Need Trails Training? Visit www.TrailsTraining.net.
- Cool Trail Solutions: view galleries of trail projects, enhancements, and facilities to give you ideas and see how others solved typical trails and greenways problems.
- If you appreciate the myriad of resources we provide on our website to help you do your work better, please help support American Trails ~ by joining the American Trails Network today.
Trail Tracks is our monthly e-Newsletter with links to
www.AmericanTrails.org
one of the world's most comprehensive online resources for planning, designing, building, funding, managing, and enhancing trails, greenways, and blueways. We also bring you news from the halls of Congress, new studies and resources, interesting articles, events, training opportunities, and the latest in trail products and services. Check out the topics above for what's new in the trails world!
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