Our presenter on April 28th was Eric Oberg, the Director of Trail Development at Rails-To-Trails Conservancy.
The Rails-To-Trails Conservancy’s mission is to build a nation connected by trails, reimagining public spaces to create safe ways for everyone to walk, bike, and be active outdoors. Since 1986, it has worked to bring the power of trails to communities and there are now more than 40,000 miles across the country.
As an advocacy group, it works with states and the federal government to include trails and greenways in their budgeting. The organization has expanded its role from simply promoting individual trails to having states collaborate and build comprehensive trail systems.
Three main components of this organization are: 1) the Great American Rail-Trail that would cover 3,700 miles, connecting Washington DC to the State of Washington and is over 50% complete; 2) Trail Nation, which brings to life their vison of trails at the heart of healthy, thriving communities; and 3) TrailLink, which, on your desktop or through an app, can help find trails around the country. Links to all three can be found on www.railstotrails.org,
There is an inherent legacy in trails, one that honors the past, enriches the present, and provides a gift to the future.