RGJ.com - Full Article
Benjamin Spillman, bspillman@rgj.com
March 29, 2016
Property surrounding one of the most popular unofficial trailheads in the northern Sierra Nevada is now in the public’s hands.
The decision by the U.S. Forest Service to acquire the Truckee-area property means the land won’t be subject to private development.
That’s a relief for everyone from backcountry skiers to mountain bikers to Pacific Crest Trail hikers who use the trailhead to access backcountry in the area around Castle Peak.
“I think everyone has been looking at this as a critical part of the public land puzzle for decades,” said Markley Bavinger, project manager for the Trust for Public Land.
The Trust for Public Land and the Truckee Donner Land Trust bought the 412-acre property from the longtime owners for $2.1 million.
Then the two land conservation non-profits immediately sold it to the Forest Service for the same price.
The Forest Service got the money to cover the purchase price from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
That fund is mostly derived from a fees companies pay for offshore oil and gas drilling. The fees are set aside in order to purchase property at fair market value in order to preserve wildlife habitat, provide recreation opportunities, preserve scenic vistas or ensure clean water...
Read more here:
http://www.rgj.com/story/life/outdoors/2016/03/29/land-deal-locks-down-popular-mountain-trail-access/82401994/
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Monday, March 28, 2016
ONE WEEK left to nominate an RTP-funded trail project for a Coalition for Recreational Trails award! (DEADLINE: April 4)
Americantrails.orgHas your trail received funding through the Recreational Trails Program (RTP)?
Here is a great opportunity for national recognition that also advocates continued funding for trails!
DEADLINE: MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016
The Coalition for Recreational Trails (CRT), a nationwide federation of trail-related organizations (of which American Trails is an active member), sponsors the Annual Achievement Awards to recognize outstanding trail projects funded by the RTP. The awards will be presented in Washington, D.C. in June during Great Outdoors Month™ as part of the Coalition's ongoing efforts to build awareness and appreciation of this highly successful program. CRT will hold the awards ceremony on Capitol Hill and will encourage members of Congress to attend to help honor the outstanding achievements of their constituents.
What projects are eligible?
Award winners will be selected from projects nominated by public agencies, trail administrators, or other project sponsors. All projects completed after 2007 are eligible.
The 2016 award categories are:
• Maintenance and Rehabilitation
• Construction and Design
• Public-Private Partnerships and Access to/Use of Public Lands
• Community Linkage
• Education and Communication
• Multiple-Use Management and Corridor Sharing
• Accessibility Enhancement
• Youth Conservation/Service Corps and Community Outreach
• Engaging Public Sector Partners (new category for 2016)
Return the nomination form by April 4, 2016 to coalitionforrectrails@gmail.com.
If you have questions, contact Duane Taylor, CRT Awards Committee Chair, at coalitionforrectrails@gmail.com.
Winners should be notified by May 6, 2016.
Learn more about outstanding projects funded by the RTP:
To further get a sense of the types of outstanding projects funded by the RTP, we encourage you to download and read the Federal Highway Administration's 2014 Annual RTP Report. The 2015 RTP Report will be released by the Federal Highway Administration in the near future.
Access FHWA's online Recreational Trails Program Database to find projects that have received RTP funding in your State. Additionally, American Trails makes a webpage for each winning project. Visit the 2015 awards webpage for examples!
Please note: data collection is an ongoing effort and data is regularly being entered into the Database as it is received from the States, District of Columbia, and other sources.
Help spread the word:
American Trails encourages you to join the Coalition for Recreational Trails in this effort to recognize the significant contributions that the Recreational Trails Program provides to nationwide trails and greenways.
Please help spread the word on this opportunity to help the Recreational Trails Program shine!
For more information and to download the nomination form, see
http://www.americantrails.org/awards/CRTawards.html
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Southampton Trails Preservation Society Celebrates 30 Years, 300 Miles Of Trails
27East.com - Full Article
Mar 25, 2016 5:10 PM
By Alisha Steindecker
As Dai Dayton trekked a winding, wooded hiking trail in Sag Harbor on a warm March day, twigs crunching beneath her feet, she absentmindedly cleared the path as she went, throwing loose branches to the side—pausing to breathe in the serenity.“Do you hear that?” she asks as she gestures toward a kettlehole a few feet away. “Those are the peepers.”
Ms. Dayton’s singular appreciation for the natural environment, her dedication to it, and how she has inspired others have enabled the Southampton Trails Preservation Society, of which she is a founding member, to continue to flourish in its 30th year. It is why the peepers, tiny frogs that are a key part of a South Fork spring, remain safe from harm, their peeps audible despite the loud sounds of skeet shooting or hunting just a few miles away.
For its 30th anniversary, the volunteer organization is celebrating 300 miles of trails—spread literally throughout North Sea, Bridgehampton, Sag Harbor, Hampton Bays, Noyac, Sagaponack and elsewhere in Southampton Town and beyond—the accumulation of which its more than 300 members have worked tirelessly to achieve. They have saved wildlife, prevented development, fought the influx of all-terrain vehicles and, of course, preserved more and more land.
“Towns don’t do this for us—that is what is so amazing,” said founding member Pingree Louchheim, a Sagaponack resident. “All of that is done by private people, and I don’t think there are many places that they can say they have a trails system 100-percent maintained and created by private people.”
The Southampton Trails Preservation Society was actually founded by a group of equestrians who realized that they were losing the trails they rode in the Long Pond Greenbelt to rapid development. The existence of the trails goes back to colonial times, and they are historic features, Ms. Dayton explained, adding that they need to be preserved in their natural state.
Indeed they have, and members have led hikes on South Fork trails every weekend for the past three decades.
A program within the organization, called Horses On Trails, or HOT, is flourishing. Board member Leslie Lowery, who leads the program, along with trail rides once every month, explained that horses have historically been a natural part of the environment. “We try to maintain a horse presence in the trail system, otherwise people forget that horses are permitted and encouraged, and not detrimental to the environment,” she said. “It is a passive use of the environment and it’s beautiful...”
Read more here:
http://www.27east.com/news/article.cfm/General-Interest-Southampton/473678/Southampton-Trails-Preservation-Society-Celebrates-30-Years-300-Miles-Of-Trails
Mar 25, 2016 5:10 PM
By Alisha Steindecker
As Dai Dayton trekked a winding, wooded hiking trail in Sag Harbor on a warm March day, twigs crunching beneath her feet, she absentmindedly cleared the path as she went, throwing loose branches to the side—pausing to breathe in the serenity.“Do you hear that?” she asks as she gestures toward a kettlehole a few feet away. “Those are the peepers.”
Ms. Dayton’s singular appreciation for the natural environment, her dedication to it, and how she has inspired others have enabled the Southampton Trails Preservation Society, of which she is a founding member, to continue to flourish in its 30th year. It is why the peepers, tiny frogs that are a key part of a South Fork spring, remain safe from harm, their peeps audible despite the loud sounds of skeet shooting or hunting just a few miles away.
For its 30th anniversary, the volunteer organization is celebrating 300 miles of trails—spread literally throughout North Sea, Bridgehampton, Sag Harbor, Hampton Bays, Noyac, Sagaponack and elsewhere in Southampton Town and beyond—the accumulation of which its more than 300 members have worked tirelessly to achieve. They have saved wildlife, prevented development, fought the influx of all-terrain vehicles and, of course, preserved more and more land.
“Towns don’t do this for us—that is what is so amazing,” said founding member Pingree Louchheim, a Sagaponack resident. “All of that is done by private people, and I don’t think there are many places that they can say they have a trails system 100-percent maintained and created by private people.”
The Southampton Trails Preservation Society was actually founded by a group of equestrians who realized that they were losing the trails they rode in the Long Pond Greenbelt to rapid development. The existence of the trails goes back to colonial times, and they are historic features, Ms. Dayton explained, adding that they need to be preserved in their natural state.
Indeed they have, and members have led hikes on South Fork trails every weekend for the past three decades.
A program within the organization, called Horses On Trails, or HOT, is flourishing. Board member Leslie Lowery, who leads the program, along with trail rides once every month, explained that horses have historically been a natural part of the environment. “We try to maintain a horse presence in the trail system, otherwise people forget that horses are permitted and encouraged, and not detrimental to the environment,” she said. “It is a passive use of the environment and it’s beautiful...”
Read more here:
http://www.27east.com/news/article.cfm/General-Interest-Southampton/473678/Southampton-Trails-Preservation-Society-Celebrates-30-Years-300-Miles-Of-Trails
Friday, March 25, 2016
American Trails Webinar: "The FAST Act: Advancing Trails with the New Federal Transportation Bill"
Americantrails.orgHosted by AmericanTrails.org
American Trails presents "The FAST Act: Advancing Trails with the New Federal Transportation Bill" on April 21, 2016 as a part of the American Trails "Advancing Trails Webinar Series"
This webinar is presented by Marianne Fowler, Kevin Mills, and Leeann Sinpatanasakul of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.
Cost: $35 American Trails members / $55 nonmembers
WEBINAR OUTLINE
This webinar will take a look at the FAST Act legislation passed by the U.S. Congress in December 2015 (Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act or "FAST Act"). The presenters will explain what the legislation means for trail funding of future projects. The presenters will go over changes to the Transportation Alternatives Program that funds walking and bicycling projects, and review the Recreational Trails Program, which remains the same since the last legislation. The webinar will also touch on new provisions to a low-interest loan program (TIFIA), which could help communities—in urban, suburban, or rural areas—more quickly build a complete trail or active transportation network. Join us to hear from experts on what the new legislation says and how the changes can benefit current and future trail work.
Key Learning Points – The FAST Act: Advancing Trails with the New Federal Transportation Act
Participants will be able to...
• Describe the changes to the Transportation Alternatives Program between MAP-21 and the FAST Act.
• Understand how the Recreational Trails Program works with respect to: funding allocations for different trail types, requirements to receive funding (i.e. advisory group must meet once a year), and the governor opt-out provision.
• Explain what the TIFIA program is, generally, and know that bike/ped work is eligible for TIFIA.
• Identify the five major changes to the TIFIA provisions in the FAST Act.
• Understand that collectively, these provisions could make it easier to finance (take out a low-interest loan) to complete a bike/ped/trail network.
For more information and to register, see:
http://americantrails.org/resources/funding/webinar-FAST-act-fowler.html
Thursday, March 24, 2016
Great Britain: New 70-mile route around area's trails developed by horse riders
Ashbournenewstelegraph.co.uk - Full ArticleBy Ashbourne News Telegraph | Posted: March 22, 2016
New 70-mile route around area's trails developed by horse riders
By Ashbourne News Telegraph | Posted: March 22, 2016
A NEW 70-mile route for riders, cyclists and walkers that takes in parts of the countryside surrounding Ashbourne is being launched.
The South Peak Loop takes in bridleways, old railway trails such as the Tissington Trail and quiet country lanes in the southern part of the Peak District National Park.
Scenic highlights of the loop, which is being launched officially next month, include the Chatsworth Estate, the Manifold valley and Carsington reservoir.
National park authority chief executive Sarah Fowler has been invited to officially open the loop, which has been put together by bridleway watchdog group Peak Horsepower next month...
Read more: http://www.ashbournenewstelegraph.co.uk/New-70-mile-route-area-s-trails-developed-horse/story-28969647-detail/story.html#ixzz43pxgzuF8
5 fun Utah horse trails to ride this summer
KSL.com - Full Article
By Sean Stoker, KSL.com Contributor | Posted Mar 22nd, 2016
THE GREAT OUTDOORS — With winter finally thawing into spring, the season of outdoor recreation is at last upon us. With countless people flocking to the Utah wilderness to spend time in Mother Nature, many focus on hiking, camping and the mountain biking side of things. But one of Utah's outdoor assets that often goes overlooked is the abundance of equestrian trails dotting the state.
Have a look at some fun locales across the state of Utah where you can hang with your hoofed friend.
Cassidy Trail, Garfield County
It's believed that the legendary old West outlaw Butch Cassidy used this trail many a time to escape the law. Running about 8 miles from the Red Canyon trailhead to Casto Canyon, this trail features beautiful red rock formations and native flora and fauna dot the view.
Directions: From Panguitch, take Highway 89 southeast. Exit onto Utah 12 and travel east for about 4 miles to reach Red Canyon trailhead...
Read more here:
https://www.ksl.com/?sid=39003454&nid=1288
By Sean Stoker, KSL.com Contributor | Posted Mar 22nd, 2016
THE GREAT OUTDOORS — With winter finally thawing into spring, the season of outdoor recreation is at last upon us. With countless people flocking to the Utah wilderness to spend time in Mother Nature, many focus on hiking, camping and the mountain biking side of things. But one of Utah's outdoor assets that often goes overlooked is the abundance of equestrian trails dotting the state.
Have a look at some fun locales across the state of Utah where you can hang with your hoofed friend.
Cassidy Trail, Garfield County
It's believed that the legendary old West outlaw Butch Cassidy used this trail many a time to escape the law. Running about 8 miles from the Red Canyon trailhead to Casto Canyon, this trail features beautiful red rock formations and native flora and fauna dot the view.
Directions: From Panguitch, take Highway 89 southeast. Exit onto Utah 12 and travel east for about 4 miles to reach Red Canyon trailhead...
Read more here:
https://www.ksl.com/?sid=39003454&nid=1288
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Multiple Use Trail: Discovery Hill Community Trails (Idaho)
Americantrails.orgMultiple-Use Management and Corridor Sharing
Sponsor/Partners: Bureau of Land Management
Congressional District: Blaine Luetkemeyer (ID-3)
Senators: Michael Crapo (R-ID) and James Risch (R-ID)
The Discovery Hill Community Trails Project is a community-driven trail-development project located approximately 2 miles north of Salmon, Idaho. Discovery Hill had a long history of user-created conflicts and vandalism which were impacting important keystone wildlife species such as sage grouse.
Approximately 35 miles of non-motorized trails were developed, a 1.4 mile podcast trail was built, the designated travel route system was clearly signed and mapped, and a frisbee golf course was built. The trail system is immensely popular with mountain bikers, trail runners, hikers, and horseback riders. Additionally, motorized trail users now safely and accurately navigate the motorized road and trail system and Sacajawea Motorsports park.
For more information:
Liz Townley
Bureau of Land Management
1206 S. Challis Street
Salmon, ID 83467
Phone: (208) 756-5431
http://www.blm.gov/id/st/en/visit_and_play/places_to_see/salmon_field_office/discovery_hill.html
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