WHO WE ARE and WHAT WE DO

American Trails is the only national, nonprofit organization working on behalf of all trail interests, including hiking, bicycling, mountain biking, horseback riding, water trails, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, trail motorcycling, ATVs, snowmobiling and four-wheeling. American Trails members want to create and protect America's network of interconnected trails. We support local, regional, and long-distance trails and greenways, whether they be in backcountry, rural or urban areas. Our goal is to support America's trails by finding common ground and promoting cooperation among all trail interests. Since our formation in 1988 we've been involved in everything from training trails advocates to increasing accessible trail opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Our work includes:

• Fostering cooperation and communication among all trail users
• Coordinating the National Trails Symposium every two years: in 2008 in Little Rock, Arkansas; then in 2010 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Recent conferences have been in 2006 in Quad Cities (Illinois and Iowa); 2004 in Austin, Texas; 2002 in Orlando, Florida; 2000 in Redding, California.
• Hosting the National Trails Awards program: see the award winners for 2006 - 2004 - 2002 - 2000
• Revitalizing the National Recreation Trails program with the National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and other agencies and national organizations
• Producing American Trails Magazine, the premier news publication for all trail advocates and managers
• Providing technical assistance and resources for trails and greenways
• Working with agencies and trail organizations to develop the National Trails Training Partnership
• Maintaining a clearinghouse of trails training resources and an online calendar of training opportunities
• Providing Universal Trail Assessment Process training and other trail skills workshops
• Informing the trails community on agency guidelines, legal issues, and ways to improve the accessibility of trails
• Sharing information and providing assistance to America's State Trails Programs
• Bringing news of opportunities, jobs, and grant programs to trails activists
• Supporting funding for trails through State, Federal, and provate programs
• Promoting national policy, The Future of Trails and Greenways in America, to Congress, the White House, key agency heads, and the national news media
• Participating in hearings, and task forces on federal land management issues
• Interpreting Congressional action and legislation for local trail supporters

Join American Trails:

Do you find the resources on our website valuable? Then please Join American Trails Today to support the work we do to keep you on the cutting-edge!

Join online now!

Memberships begin at $25/year for individuals, $50/year for other nonprofit/volunteer groups, and $100/year for businesses. Complimentary copies of American Trails Magazine are available upon request.

American Trails Magazine:

American Trails members receive a subscription to American Trails Magazine, formerly Trail Tracks, the only national publication for all trails users. Approximately three times each year we cover trail-related topics including planning, development, new issues, legislation, and events.

Contact us:

American Trails
      P.O. Box 491797, Redding, CA 96049-1797
      Telephone: (530) 547-2060
      Fax: (530) 547-2035
      E-mail: trailhead@americantrails.org

The 19th National Trails Symposium will be held in Little Rock Nov. 15-18, 2008. Join us in Arkansas for the future of trails!