American Hiking Society's National Trails Fund grants program helped 17 nonprofit organizations across the country by granting a much needed boost to their efforts to establish, promote, and protect foot trails and hiking opportunities. AHS will distribute $50,000 in grants ranging from $500 to $7,300, that are generally matched by cash or 'sweat equity', for projects ranging from volunteer support to trail maintenance and construction. The 2006 National Trails Fund awards are made possible by generous support from the program's sponsors, L.L.Bean, MSR and Therm-a-Rest.

The National Trails Fund is the only national, privately funded grants program for hiking trails and gives local organizations the resources they need to secure access, volunteers, tools and materials to protect America's cherished public trails. American Hiking chose the deserving organizations this year from more than 140 applicants nationwide, demonstrating the tremendous need for additional financial support for hiking trails and trail organizations.

“The National Trails Fund helps implement American Hiking's mission of promoting and protecting foot trails and the hiking experience on-the-ground,” said American Hiking Society President Gregory Miller. “The work of our 2006 recipients will connect people with special, natural places and ensure memorable outdoor experiences for generations to come.”

Two of the projects that will benefit from 2006 National Trails Fund awards include:

Eastern Queens Alliance, Idlewild Park Preservation Committee. The Eastern Queens Alliance was awarded a $7,000 grant to build the first section (3,270 feet) of a trail system to guide visitors through the park as well as install interpretive signs for self-guided nature walks. The Idlewild Park Wetland Trail System, part of a 224-acre wetland preserve, will provide visitors with the opportunity to experience the park's unique wetland and upland environments in southeastern Queens, New York City.

Friends of Little Pend Oreille. The Friends of the Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge, located in northeast Washington, is dedicated to promoting conservation of native fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats on the Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge, a 40,198-acre refuge with no established trails. The project, supported by a $3,300 grant, involves constructing the first trail in a series to be named the McDowell Marsh Environmental Education Trail. The grant will be used to purchase the materials for the wheelchair accessible trail surface.

Other recipients of the 2006 National Trails Fund are: Camp Tyler Foundation (TX), Carteret County Wildlife Club (NC), Coastwalk (CA), Colorado Mountain Club (CO), Cove Point Natural Heritage Trust (MD), Elkhorn City Area Heritage Council (KY), Georgia Pinhoti Trail Association (GA), Grand Staircase Escalante Partners (UT), High Sierra Volunteer Trail Crew (CA), North Coast F.O.R.E.S.T. Association (CA), Pacific Northwest Trail Association (WA), Superior Hiking Trail Association (MN), The Norman Bird Sanctuary (RI), Wallingford Land Trust (CT), and Weber Pathways (UT).

“These projects represent the vision and muscle of the hiking trails community, said Miller. “American Hiking salutes the volunteer-based organizations that provide us with opportunities to get outside, get active, renew our spirit, and increase environmental awareness through trails.”

Since creating the National Trails Fund in 1997, American Hiking Society has awarded more than $290,000 in grants to 73 projects in 41 states. The program was re-launched in 2005 with generous gifts from L.L.Bean and Therm-a-Rest and MSR, companies with a rich history of supporting volunteerism and environmental causes.