National Trails Fund Supports Volunteer Projects across the Country.

American Hiking Society recently awarded nearly $50,000 in grants to 16 nonprofit, trail focused organizations across the country. The grants, ranging from $250 to $5,000, support projects such as traditional trail work and a hiking workshop for physical education teachers. More than 130 organizations nationwide applied for grants, demonstrating the tremendous need for additional financial support for hiking trails and trail organizations.

The National Trails Fund is the only national, privately funded grants program for hiking trails. It gives local organizations such as volunteer-led trail clubs and land trusts the resources necessary to build or repair new or existing trails, protect trail corridors, and support trail outreach and volunteer programs.

"One of the most important aspects of American Hiking Society's work is our ability to give back to the local organizations that are on the ground building and maintaining trails and creating innovative ways to promote hiking throughout their communities," said American Hiking Society President Gregory Miller. "This year we funded many outstanding projects that will ultimately enhance the hiking experience for everyone. We commend all the winners for their efforts."

Two of the projects that will benefit from 2007 National Trails Fund grant awards include:

Northwest Forest Conservancy
The Northwest Forest Conservancy received $5,000 to assist in building a coalition dedicated to maintaining the trails of Bull of the Woods Wilderness and other great trails in the Clackamas Ranger district of the Mt. Hood National Forest. The organization will use the grant to create a website and marketing materials, train volunteers, and purchase equipment.

Palmetto Conservation Foundation
The Palmetto Conservation Foundation conserves South Carolina's natural and cultural resources, preserves historic buildings and landmarks, and promotes outdoor recreation with trails and greenways. The organization received $5,000 to construct two bridges and build close to 400 feet of trail on the Palmetto Trail, a proposed 425-mile trail extending across the state.

Other recipients of the 2007 National Trails Fund are: Arizona Trail Association; Arizona Wilderness Coalition; Colorado Fourteeners Initiative; Common Ground Outdoor Adventures (UT); Cumberland Trail Conference (TN); Florida Trail Association; Friends of Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge (IL); Nantahala Hiking Club (NC); National Smokejumper Association (MT); New Mexico Volunteers for the Outdoors; North Country Trail Association-Heritage Chapter (WI); Pfeiffer Nature Center (NY); Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council (CA); and Waltham Land Trust (MA).

Since creating the National Trails Fund in 1997, American Hiking Society has awarded nearly $340,000 in grants to 89 different trail projects across the country. National Trails Fund awards are made possible by generous support from the program's charter sponsors, L.L.Bean, MSR, and Therm-a-Rest, companies with a rich history of supporting volunteerism and environmental causes. Additional donations to the National Trails Fund have come from the private business sector and individual donors.

American Hiking Society
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 itself. To learn more about American Hiking Society and its programs, including the National Trails Fund, please visit AmericanHiking.org or call (301) 565-6704.