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LWCF Coalition launches #SaveLWCF initiative

Adapted from a LWCF Coalition news release In October, the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Coalition launched the #SaveLWCF initiative to highlight the successes on the 52nd year of LWCF in 52 places in States and territories over the next year. The Coalition will…

Appalachian Trail Conservancy leadership changes

Adapted from Appalachian Trail Conservancy news releases, website, and article in Summer 2017 A.T. Journeys The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) has selected Suzanne Dixon as its new President and CEO, following Ron Tipton’s announcement to retire at the end of 2017. She begins her position…

OIA produces Outdoor Recreation Economy reports

Adapted from Outdoor Industry Association news releases, reports, and Headwaters Economics website In 2017, the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) released the largest and most comprehensive national and State-level reports on the Outdoor Recreation Economy. OIA also produced a State Funding Mechanisms for Outdoor Recreation report,…

Natural disasters damage trails, full extent unknown

Adapted from information from partner organizations and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration So far 2017 ties the record year of 2011 for the most (15) billion-dollar disasters for the year to date, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information. Among those costly and…

Hurricane Damage Photos from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy

About 700 blowdowns were cleared along the Appalachian Trail in Georgia and Southern North Carolina by Appalachian Trail volunteers, Appalachian Trail Conservancy staff, and partner staff. The organization is still assessing other damage, such as to the treadway, according to Morgan Sommerville, ATC Regional Director.…

Hurricane Damage Reports from El Camino Real de los Tejas NHT Association

By Steven Gonzales, Executive Director of the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Association On August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey made landfall on the Texas coast. Coming on shore just north of Corpus Christi as a Category 4 storm (130-156 MPH), the…

Hurricane Damage Reports from the Florida Trail Association

By Alex Stigliano, Florida Trail Program Director for the Florida Trail Association Adapted from the September and October 2017 e-Blaze None of us will forget the storm that completely enveloped the State of Florida in September 2017. Our hearts go out to all of those…

Wildfire Reports from the Pacific Northwest Trail Association

By Eric Wollborg, Communications Manager for the Pacific Northwest Trail Association Adapted from the PNTA October 2017 e-News The Pacific Northwest experienced extended drought in the summer of 2017, following a wet winter and leading to one of worst wildfire seasons in years. Exceeding $2…

Wildfire Reports from the Pacific Crest Trail Association

By Mark Larabee, Associate Director of Communications and Marketing for the Pacific Crest Trail Association Adapted from the December 2017 issue of the PCT Communicator magazine Wildfire shaped the 2017 season for hikers and horseback riders on the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT). Federal…

NCTA improves GIS program and digital map access

By David Cowles, Director of Development, and Matt Rowbotham, GIS Coordinator, with the North Country Trail Association The North Country National Scenic Trail has had an active GIS program since the late 1990s, first starting with combined efforts between the National Park Service and the…