Trails Day Champions 2014
American Hiking Society recognizes the commitment and success of all the organizations involved in building National Trails Day into the outstanding day of fun and service it is today. From its humble beginnings and lofty vision of bringing together trail organizations from around the country, National Trails Day has truly grown into a successful event series that Americans look forward to, year-round.
This success story would not be possible without support from a broad range of organizations and foundations. As a way to honor our most prolific promoters and event organizers, American Hiking Society has issued the National Trails Day Champion award. This badge symbolizes the commitment and dedication to the ideals of National Trails Day and indicates excellent performance in event organizing and/or national promotion.
This year, American Hiking Society recognizes 22 Trails Day Champions. Though these organizations vary in size and scope, they all share the common devotion to the outdoors that keeps National Trails Day alive. The Trails Day Champions for 2014 are as follows:
Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA): Since the initiation of National Trails Day in 1993, CFPA has rallied participation on an annual basis throughout the entire state of Connecticut. Connecticut Trails Day Weekend has become so successful that every year for the last 6 years, Connecticut has organized more National Trails Day events than any other state. In 2014 alone, CFPA coordinated more than 250 Trails Day events.
America’s State Parks: In 2014, approximately 1 out of every 3 National Trails Day events occurred in a state park or forest thanks to the support of America’s State Parks. The following state park systems generated significant interest by encouraging each of its state parks to organize fun, family-friendly events:
- Missouri State Parks
- Virginia State Parks
- Tennessee State Parks
- New Jersey State Parks
- Maryland State Parks
- Connecticut State Parks
- Texas State Parks
- North Carolina State Parks
- North Dakota State Parks
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REI: Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) has been providing quality gear to outdoor adventurers and explorers for more than 75 years. REI has also played an active role in the promotion of National Trails Day since its inception in 1993. Every year, select stores organize stewardship events and recruit volunteers to help with the projects. 2014 was no exception as many stores elected to join in the nationwide trails celebration.
Student Conservation Association: Focusing on youth development and education, SCA is dedicated to building the next generation of conservation leaders and inspiring lifelong stewardship of the environment and communities. In 2014, Student Conservation Association celebrated National Trails Day by organizing many high-profile stewardship events in areas that required attention.
Boy Scouts of America, Order of the Arrow: Order of the Arrow, the national honor society of Boy Scouts of America, has embraced the ideals of National Trails Day by encouraging its members to participate in and organize events wherever possible. BSA places high value on the importance of conservation and environmental awareness, awarding merit badges for essential outdoor skills including First Aid and camping. In 2014, Boy Scouts of America organized numerous events and helped spread the word about the importance of trails in our country.
Ice Age Trail Alliance: IATA is responsible for the upkeep of the Ice Age Trail, one of only eleven National Scenic Trails in the country. The state of Wisconsin, with help from IATA, has been able to secure 10,000 acres of land, allowing for the permanent protection of these acres and the trails that cross through them. On National Trails Day and throughout the year, IATA organizes thousands of volunteers who contribute tens of thousands of hours to the trail’s development and maintenance.
North Country Trail Association: Spread across seven states, NCTA is a union consisting of volunteers, trail groups, local chapters, and corporate sponsors who have banded together to maintain the North Country National Scenic Trail. NCTA was particularly busy on National Trails Day, hosting many events including hikes, geocaching challenges, backpacking trips, and more.
NY/NJ Trail Conference: Since 1920, the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference has partnered with parks to create, protect, and promote a network of over 2,000 miles of public trails in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan region. The Trail Conference organizes volunteer service projects that keep these trails open, safe, and enjoyable for the public. On National Trails Day, the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference organized over twenty events, ranging from stewardship projects to history lessons.
National Park Service: The National Park Service is responsible for preserving and maintaining the national park system, a network comprised of 401 areas and covering more than 84 million acres across all fifty states. These areas include national parks, recreation areas, scenic rivers and trails, and even the White House. On June 7th, hundreds of events across the country were made possible thanks to the efforts of the National Park Service.
US Forest Service: The United States Forest Service controls the nation’s 155 national forests which encompass 193 million acres. USFS forests were the site of over one hundred forty events in more than twenty states on National Trails Day, providing hikers the opportunity to explore and maintain trails throughout the forest system.
Fish & Wildlife Service: The Fish and Wildlife Service manages the 150 million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which consists of more than 551 National Wildlife Refuges as well as seventy National Fish Hatcheries and sixty-five fishery resource offices. FWS hosted a large number of diverse activities on National Trails Day, including Refuge explorations, fishing contests and stewardship projects.
Bureau of Land Management: Responsible for administrating one-eighth of the landmass of the country, the Bureau of Land Management is dedicated to “sustaining the health, diversity, and productivity of public lands”. BLM was active on National Trails Day, designating new National Monuments and hosting critical trail maintenance events.
Army Corps of Engineers: With environmental sustainability as a guiding principle, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approximately 37,000 dedicated civilians and soldiers delivering engineering services in over 130 countries worldwide. More locally, the Corps focused their efforts on sponsoring numerous events and activities on National Trails Day, including lengthy hikes and trail runs.
Congratulations to the 2014 Trails Day Champions!