On June 6, 2009, American Hiking Society celebrates its 17th annual National Trails Day® (NTD) at the Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge in Lorton, Virginia. The largest nationwide trail celebration in America, NTD is designed to promote healthy lifestyles, connect the general public with trails in their communities and build partnerships to protect trails. The signature event is open to the public and will offer a diversity of outdoor recreation experiences on Mason Neck including family hikes, paddle excursions, trail construction and revegetation projects, birding and interpretive hikes, and a handicapped accessible hike. American Hiking Society's signature event at Mason Neck is emblematic of the more than 1,200 events taking place across the nation on June 6th.
Co-hosted with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/National Wildlife Refuge System, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Virginia State Parks and Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, the celebration kicks off at Mason Neck State Park (7301 High Point Rd, Lorton, VA 22079) at 9 a.m. with a Welcoming Ceremony, followed by activities continuing throughout the day across the Mason Neck landscape. Learn about outdoor recreation, volunteer opportunities and local hikes in the area, bring your kids to participate in a coloring contest, and celebrate America's trails with invited guests Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Rep. Jerry Connolly (D-VA), and partners.
The theme for NTD 2009, Take in the Outdoors, is an open invitation to all Americans to get outside, connect with local hiking clubs, outdoor retailers, local parks and recreation departments or federal land managing agencies to experience everything the great outdoors has to offer. "American Hiking Society's National Trails Day® serves as a gateway to introduce youth and adults to the outdoors and an opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to give back,” said American Hiking Society President, Gregory Miller.
Since 1993, NTD has inspired thousands of people and community groups to take part in activities that promote healthy living, protect green space, educate youth and adults on the importance of trails, and instill excitement for the outdoors. More than 100,000 recreationists, beginner and novice outdoor enthusiasts, trail users and conservationists take part annually in NTD events held in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Join American Hiking Society and our sponsors, Nature Valley, Fetzer® Vineyards, Backpacker Magazine, Merrell, and partners REI, YMCA of the USA, and American Park Network for a NTD event near you. For more information contact Heather Sable, Trail Programs Manager, at hsable@americanhiking.org or (800) 972-8608 x.204 or visit AmericanHiking.org.
Founded in 1976, American Hiking Society is the only national, recreation-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting America's hiking trails, their surrounding natural areas and the hiking experience. To learn more about American Hiking Society and its mission and programs, visit www.AmericanHiking.org or call (301) 565-6704.