Blog

Meet the 2023 Trail Apprentices

  The Trail Apprentice Program provides learning, leadership development, peer exchange, and networking opportunities for students and young professionals between the ages of 18 and 28 who are considering careers in trails and public lands. PNTS is excited to see such enthusiasm for National Trails…

Trails are Indigenous: Bridging the Gap between National Trails and Indigenous Communities

By Jacqueline Thompson Trails are guides across vast and diverse landscapes for many histories, people, animals, and beyond. They flow through the territories and hard borders that so often reinforce narrow concepts of what community really is. Like undammed rivers, trails connect ecosystems, landscapes and…

Three New and Proposed National Monuments that will protect Landscapes and Cultures along the National Trails System

By PNTS staff Over the past year, President Joe Biden has designated two key National Monuments (NM) that directly impact the National Trails System: Camp Hale—Continental Divide NM and Avi Kwa Ame NM. These designations are important for strengthening and enhancing the National Trails System…

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy Refines and Revamps their Volunteer Program

By PNTS staff & Leanna Joyner, Appalachian Trail Conservancy With the launch of its last strategic plan in 2020, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) embarked on a mission to make volunteer service open to all. The organization took on several projects to reduce barriers to…

New Potomac Heritage Superintendent Moves Trail Protection Forward

By Ron Tipton, PNTS Board of Directors Jeri DeYoung has a plan for securing a well-protected Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (PHT). Last summer, Jeri was selected by the National Park Service to be the Superintendent of the PHT. She has over 33 years of…

PNTS 2022 Highlights

2022 was an exciting year for PNTS. Here are just a few of our proudest accomplishments from last year. Project Spotlight: Native Lands, National Trails. In 2022, PNTS launched the Native Lands, National Trails (NLNT) project to provide space for Indigenous voices in the National…

Women Making History in the National Trails System

Published March 31, 2023 in the March issue of Pathways Across America March is Women’s History Month. There are countless women who have played integral roles in the formation, maintenance and advocacy of National Scenic and Historic Trails. It is on the shoulders of these…

Comings & Goings – Fall 2022

We welcome Nick Craig as the Realty Officer for the National Trails and Tiger Team Branch of the National Park Service Land Resources Division Jeff Ellison as the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail Administrator in the National Park Service Marcy DeMillion as the Arizona National…

A Successful Campaign to Raise Awareness for Trails

We invited you to “Go Where the Trail Leads You” this Fall and you did!  PNTS teamed up with Bell’s Brewery for the second year in a row for a co-branded trails awareness-raising campaign. Titled “Go Where the Trail Leads You,” the campaign invited people…

A Productive and Joyous Reunion at the 2022 National Trails Workshop

A Productive and Joyous Reunion at the 2022 National Trails Workshop

Over 200 people gathered with PNTS in Albuquerque, NM this Fall for the 2022 National Trails Workshop. There were seasoned trail professionals, emerging leaders, and people interested in learning more about the work and world of trails. Over three days, this group workshopped pressing issues,…

Memorandum of Agreement signed with the Town of Abingdon & Overmountain Victory Trail Association

By David Doan and Thomas Vaughan, Overmountain Victory Trail Association Due to COVID-19, the Town of Abingdon, Virginia Tourism Department underwent a painful restructuring in 2020. One of the casualties was the Keller Interpretive Center at the Abingdon Muster Grounds which is the northern Trailhead…

Successful Junior Ranger Day on the Lewis & Clark Trail

Successful Junior Ranger Day on the Lewis & Clark Trail

By the Lewis & Clark Trust, Inc., Friends Group of the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail The award-winning Lewis and Clark Trail Junior Ranger Program, developed by Caitlin Campbell, Interpretive Specialist at Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, was presented to an enthusiastic group…

Junior Ranger Angler Program Connects Fishing with History on the Captain John Smith Chesapeake Trail

By PNTS staff with support from Remi Shuall-Thompson, Communications Associate, Chesapeake Conversancy “Through fishing, young people learn a new skill that connects them not only to the natural world, but also the culture of the Chesapeake Bay, past and present. Fishing is a huge part…

New Visitor’s Center Along the Appalachian Trail

New Visitor’s Center Along the Appalachian Trail

PNTS staff, Adapted from Appalachian Trail Conservancy press release The Damascus Trail Center opened this summer through a collaboration between the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) and the Town of Damascus. The center serves as an informational hub for visitors and locals seeking to experience the great…

Over 1800 Acres Acquired to Protect and Preserve the Ala Kahakai Trail 

Over 1800 Acres Acquired to Protect and Preserve the Ala Kahakai Trail 

By Kaleo Paik, Ala Kahakai Trail Association, Board of Directors Secretary Ala Kahakai Trail Association (ATA) has just closed on acquiring over 1,800 acres of land at Kiolaka`a in Ka`ū to protect and preserve the trail, cultural and natural resources as well as the view…

Santa Fe Trail Association Revisits “High Potential Sites and Segments”

Santa Fe Trail Association Revisits “High Potential Sites and Segments”

By Joanne VanCoevern, Santa Fe Trail Association Manager The National Trails System Act (Act), originally passed in 1968, requires that National Historic Trails identify High Potential Sites and Segments (HPSS).  While the Act states that “high potential historic sites” means those historic sites related to…

Artist Selected to Design the Indigenous Mapping and Research Project Logo

Artist Selected to Design the Indigenous Mapping and Research Project Logo

This summer, PNTS put out a call for an artist to design a logo for the Indigenous Mapping and Research Project (IMRP) to represent the project in online material, outreach, and promotional materials. Since this  project seeks to create connections between Native lands and National…

Native Lands, National Trails: An Indigenous Mapping and Research Project

  Trails are Indigenous. Trails flow and live through the territories and are guides for many histories, people, animals and entities living and nonliving. We acknowledge that this project aims to strengthen relations for National Trails and Indigenous communities throughout Indigenous Territories and what is…

NextGen Spotlight: Emma Connors

This column shines a light on rising leaders in public lands and outdoor recreation who participate in PNTS’ Trail Intern Grants or Trail Apprentice Program (TAP). Trail Intern Grants help organizations hire interns to further their missions and expand their capacities. The TAP helps up-and-coming…

Message from the Executive Director Fall 2022

Message from the Executive Director Fall 2022

This fall the Partnership for the National Trails System (PNTS) held an in-person workshop. It drew well over 200 people from around the nation to New Mexico to learn, share and celebrate trails together. A perennial highlight of our fall workshop is the participation of…

Oregon California Trails Association Premier New Video Series

The Oregon California Trails Association (OCTA) is set to premier a vigorous campaign of new historical YouTube content focusing on stories surrounding the Trails of Western Migration.  The first video in the series launched Friday, September 30th with an interview filmed in Casper, Wyoming, featuring dynamic youthful…

Summer 2022 Comings and Goings

This column highlights leadership and staff changes along the National Trails System. Join us in celebrating new trails leaders and professionals, and saying goodbye to those who move on to new adventures. WE WELCOME Marcy DeMillion as the Arizona National Scenic Trail Administrator in the…

Continental Divide Trail Coalition Celebrates 10 Years of Uniting the Divide

By Allie Ghaman, Communications Manager, Continental Divide Trail Coalition As the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) celebrates 10 years of cooperative stewardship in partnership with the communities and landscapes of the Divide, we have a great opportunity to pause on our trek, take a water…

Interagency Communication and Collaboration Across the National Trails System

By Vanessa Morales, National Trails System Communications Fellow The National Trails System’s (NTS) 19 National Historic and 11 National Scenic Trails are administered by three Federal agencies: the National Park Service (NPS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the US Forest Service (USFS), all with…

PNTS and Bell’s Brewery Encourage You to “Go Where the Trail Leads You” This Fall

The Partnership for the National Trails System (PNTS) is once again teaming up with Bell’s Brewery for a co-branded trails awareness campaign called “Go Where the Trail Leads You.”  It’s easy to participate. Pledge an hour to trails on Bell’s website between September 1 and…

American Solar Challenge Brings Collegiate Teams to Oregon National Historic Trail

By PNTS staff with support from Gail Lueck, Event & Operations Director for the American Solar Challenge This summer, solar-powered cars travelled in the traces of oxen hooves and wagon wheels along the Oregon National Historic Trail (NHT). The American Solar Challenge (ASC), a collegiate…

Indigenous Site Surveying on the New England Trail

By Kayleigh Moses, New England Trail Community Volunteer Ambassador, National Park Service To most trail goers in New England, the Mattabesett, Metacomet, and Monadnock are simply trail names that make up the 215 mile-long hiking route. The history of these names often go unnoticed, blanketed…

Binational Cooperation Paves Way for New Spanish Webpage for El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro

By Angélica Sánchez-Clark, Ph.D., Lead Historian, National Park Service, National Trails Office, Regions 6, 7, 8 The enabling legislation for both El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (ELCA) and El Camino Real de los Tejas (ELTE) National Historic Trails (NHT) authorizes cooperation among the United…

North Country Trail Next Generation Coalition Summit

By Felicia Hokenstad, Next Generation Coalition Leader, North Country Trail Association In early May, four members of the North Country Trail Association’s (NCTA) Next Generation Coalition (NGC) met in northern Minnesota to assist in building a new, one-mile section of North Country National Scenic Trail…

2021 Intern Grant Recipient: Jane Pollack

This column shines a light on rising leaders in public lands and outdoor recreation who participate in PNTS’ Trail Intern Grants or Trail Apprentices Program (TAP). Trail Intern Grants help organizations hire interns to further their missions and expand their capacities. The TAP helps up-and-coming…

465 Acres Returned to Rappahannock Tribe Along the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail

Press release by the National Park Service Prior to European arrival, Indigenous peoples of the Chesapeake Bay lived and worked alongside the Bay’s many rivers, whose abundant resources and inspiring landscapes provided both bodily and spiritual sustenance. Today, thanks to archeology, oral history among Tribal…

PNTS Programming Update Summer 2022

This Summer, PNTS began a webinar series on Tribal Consultation. The three-part series is intended to provide relevant information and best practices for Tribal Consultation as they pertain to the work of trails professionals in the non-profit and governmental spheres. Visit our website for complete…

Message from the Executive Director Summer 2022

When I read an issue of Pathways Across America, I’m often struck by the uniqueness of each National Historic and Scenic Trail, as well as the Trails’ connectedness both as parts of the National Trails System and as parts of the communities they traverse. Across…

Press Release: New Committee Leads Effort to Increase Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Along the National Trails System

New Committee Leads Effort to Increase Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Along the National Trails System Partnership for the National Trails System announces Inaugural Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee   Contact: Ashley Wheeler, Partnership for the National Trails System Communication Coordinator, communication@pnts.org WASHINGTON, D.C. – September…

Meet the 2022 Trail Apprentices

Meet the 2022 Trail Apprentices

  The Trail Apprentice Program provides learning, peer exchange, and networking opportunities for students and young professionals between the ages of 18 and 28 who are considering careers in trails and public lands. PNTS is excited to see such enthusiasm for National Trails and we’re…

Indigenous Mapping & Research Project

“Historically, cartography and maps have been used as an instrument of colonization which has been severely detrimental to adequate representation of Indigenous peoples. Oftentimes, Indigenous peoples and communities are left out of any conversation where consultation should be factored in,” states Kiana Estate-Gashytewa (Zuni/Hopi). Knowing…

Spring 2022 Comings and Goings

We Welcome… Justin Fisch, an environmental and energy attorney, as a PNTS Board Member Jamie Loucky, Chief Impact Officer for the Washington Trails Association, as a PNTS Board Member Oforiwaa Pee Agyei-Boakye, a Ph.D. student in geography and envrionmental advocate, as a PNTS Board Member…

Longtime Trails Advocate Liz Bergeron Retires

Longtime Trails Advocate Liz Bergeron Retires

“Liz will always be remembered as a contributor to not only the Pacific Crest Trail Association, but to the Trail Community as a whole.” – Mike Wollmer, Ice Age Trail Association Over many years of dedicated service and work, Liz Bergeron has cemented herself as…

Digital Platform Promotes & Connects Communities along the Lewis & Clark Trail through Geotourism

Author: Ryan Parsons, Lewis and Clark Travel If you were tasked with promoting thousands of destinations and individual businesses along a 4,900-mile, 16-state stretch of land  – how would you do it?  It’s a daunting and seemingly impossible task, but leaders at the National Park…

“INSPIRE”-ing Interpretation on the Old Spanish Trail: Rob Sweeten Awarded BLM’s 2021 INSPIRE Award

Author: Carin L. Farley, National Scenic and Historic Trail Lead, Bureau of Land Management The Old Spanish National Historic Trail Co-Administrator from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Robert “Rob” Sweeten received the agency’s 2021 Inspirational Interpretation and Resource Education “INSPIRE” Award. The INSPIRE Award recognizes BLM employees who have made…

Wagon Master: Hansen’s Handcrafted History World Premiere

Author: Travis Boley, Oregon-California Trail Association Wagon Master: Hansen’s Handcrafted History had its red-carpet premiere on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. The documentary, produced by the Oregon-California Trails Association and Knowledge Tree Films, premiered at the Luxury 5 Cinemas following a reception at the Carnegie Center…

Mini-Grant Fosters Inclusion on the North Country Trail

Author: Kate Lemon, North Country Trail Association The North Country Trail Association’s (NCTA) Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee awarded a mini-grant to the Bus for Outdoor Access and Teaching (BOAT) to attend the Michigan Ice Fest in the Upper Peninsula (UP) this February.…

Forest Service Working with Nez Perce Tribe on Place Names along the Nez Perce (Ne-Me-Poo) Trail

Author: Adapted from Press Release, US Forest Service The Nez Perce (Ne-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail, administered by the Forest Service, is working with the Nez Perce Tribe (Niimíipuu, pronounced Ne-Me-Poo) on establishing signage and interpretation for significant sites and areas. Niimíipuu place names are a…

Partnering for a Connected & Conserved Landscape: Essential Funding for Land Protection Provided by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Author: Katie Allen, Director of Landscape Conservation, Appalachian Trail Conservancy From Georgia to Maine, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) works tirelessly to protect, manage, and advocate for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.). As the trail meanders across scenic peaks, lush valleys, deep forests, and…

Southwest Montana Mountain Bike Association Helps Forest Service Maintain the Continental Divide Trail

Author: Curt Nappl, Zone Recreation Staff Officer, US Forest Service As the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) winds its way through the Rocky Mountains, entering Wyoming and Yellowstone National Park (YNP), it heads west in eastern Idaho.  From there the trail meanders to the northwest straddling…

The Gold Sheet: Demonstrating the Value of Volunteers and Private Investment in Trails

When we say we can’t do it without you, we mean it. Volunteers and private donors not only give their time and money to trails, but they showcase the immense value of National Scenic and Historic Trails (NSHT) to the public. The ability to demonstrate…

Hike the Hill®: 25 Years of Trails Advocacy for the Future

Hike the Hill® is a joint effort between American Hiking Society and the Partnership for the National Trails System. It brings together the trails community to advance shared trail priorities with congressional and Federal agency leaders including trails funding, public lands management and conservation, equitable…