The Northern Forest Canoe Trail, a nonprofit organization devoted to creating a 740-mile paddling trail stretching from Old Forge, New York to Fort Kent, Maine, is excited to announce its receipt of a grant of $10,000 from the Timberland Companys competitive community investment program.
“Timberland believes strongly that by partnering with effective non-profit organizations, we can assist in strengthening communities around the world,” says Timberlands Community Investment Manager, Celina Adams. This support is realized in the form of community investment grants, which support organizations whose innovative leadership results in lasting, positive change. Timberlands grant to the Northern Forest Canoe Trail is linked to sales of its newly released Native Waters Sandal, which features information about the Trail on its hang-tag.
Following historic Native American routes, the Northern Forest Canoe Trail links waterways through the Adirondacks, Vermont, Québec, New Hampshire, and Maine. The Trail is the first recreational multi-watershed project of its kind and the longest inland water trail in the Northeastern United States. NFCT is also recognized as a national model for community-based water-trail design and management, working with an active network of over 100 volunteers to map and steward the Trail.
“We are thrilled to receive this level of support from Timberland,” says NFCTs executive director, Kate Williams. “We see this as an outstanding partnership model, and we are excited to put these funds to work on behalf of the communities through which our Trail passes.”
NFCT serves travelers and benefits neighboring communities by: encouraging canoe / kayak travel and recreation; promoting economic development by attracting a wide range of visitors to the regions communities; improving local access to and providing stewardship of regional waterways rivers, streams, and lakes; enabling travelers to experience the Northern Forests full range of diverse landscapes, from working cities and towns to farms, forests, and mountains; supporting community-based services and local arts, education and environmental programs that educate and inspire residents and visitors alike; and enhancing quality of life by creating opportunities for people to reconnect with place
