Today…
The Partnership has over 32 National Scenic & Historic Trail members and a growing network of affiliate members and works in close collaboration with the several Federal agency partners who have jurisdiction over the trails.
Since 2001, the Partnership has embodied the collaboration of the National Trails System Act and has advocated for the trails. The Partnership continues to seek new partnerships and relationships both within and outside the trails community to foster a strong National Trail System well-connected to communities, businesses, and civic groups.
The Partnership recognizes that national trails are a powerful way to connect with nature, history, and culture.
About Partnership for the National Trail System
The Partnership for the National Trails System (PNTS) is a 501(c)(3) that connects member not-for-profit trail organizations and Federal agency partners to further the protection, completion, and stewardship of the 32 national scenic and historic trails within the National Trails System.
The PNTS advocates on behalf of the National Trails System as a whole for land preservation and stewardship resources. Other major roles of the PNTS include the collection and dissemination of National Trails news and the development of outreach initiatives and youth programming.
Our Values
National Trails exist because of the people and communities that walked the path before us. They preserve cultural heritage and history, protect critical landscapes and provide opportunities for adventure, reflection and enjoyment. We value National Trails lands and the ecosystems and landscapes they connect. We value the experiences that National Trails provide to the public and the contributions they bring to the lives and livelihoods of people and communities – past, present and future – that are touched by them. Building on this legacy, the Partnership is guided by a set of core values:
Just as the National Trails System connects public lands and urban and rural communities, we connect people who enjoy National Historic & Scenic Trails and work to make them great. As partners, we listen, work, innovate and grow together to advance system-wide goals through our individual actions and our shared work.
We address the evolving needs of a growing National Trails System and the people who enjoy it. We continue to improve our sustainability and resilience as a network of partners.
We build trust through responsible actions and honest relationships. We judiciously use the resources entrusted to us.
We appreciate the people, communities, cultures, organizations, partners, that contribute to the National Trails System and their varied ecosystems. As a broad, diverse and ever-expanding network, we will treat each other fairly and with dignity.