BLM OR-WA (WO) National Trails System Development

archived

Background: The National Trails System Act of 1968 states in Section 2(c) that "The Congress recognizes the valuable contributions that volunteers and private, nonprofit trail groups have made to the development and maintenance of the Nation's trails. In recognition of these contributions, it is further the purpose of this Act to encourage and assist volunteer citizen involvement in the planning, development, maintenance, and management, where appropriate, of trails." This National Trails System Development financial assistance opportunity facilitates this work, and furthers the purposes of the National Trails System Act "to provide for the ever-increasing outdoor recreation needs of an expanding population and in order to promote the preservation of, public access to, travel within, and enjoyment and appreciation of the open-air, outdoor areas and historic resources of the Nation." (Section 1(a)). Objectives: The project objectives are to facilitate non-profit partner and volunteer involvement in National Trails System acquisition, protection, operation, planning, development, maintenance, and management under the authorities of the National Trails System Act. The anticipated accomplishments include conferences, workshops, events, plans, strategies, media products, and capacity improvement programs, including youth. Public Benefit: Public benefits resulting from this National Trails System opportunity include increased/improved/enhanced: - public awareness, sense of public ownership, and engagement in public lands/trails; - public trail access and use; - human understanding regarding of cultures, cultural diversity, and U.S. history; - public recreational opportunities and experiences, including vicarious experiences; - youth awareness and engagement in healthy outdoor activity, and in the arts, history, and sciences; - public appreciation and enjoyment of the identification, protection, preservation, and monitoring of trail resources, qualities, values, settings, assets, and primary trail uses.

High