Arizona Trail Association (AZ) )- The Arizona Trail is a continuous 800-mile non motorized pathway across Arizona linking deserts, mountains, forests, canyons, communities and people. The Arizona Trail Association was established in 1994, with a mission to complete, preserve, and promote the Arizona Trail. The National Trails Fund grant will be used to assist the construction of a 25-mile link between the Gila River and Picketpost Trailhead by purchasing a 6-mile easement section that is on Arizona State Trust Land. When this critical link is completed, the Arizona Trail will be a continuous pathway from Tucson to Flagstaff.

Central Savannah River Land Trust (GA) - The Central Savannah River Land Trust (CSRLT) promotes land preservation in Georgia's Savannah River Basin. Currently, the CSRLT sponsors four volunteer stewardship teams and is beginning construction of its largest trail system to date - the Butler Creek Nature Corridor - which will span 411+ acres of old growth, hardwood forest and wetlands. The National Trails Fund grant will be used to restore all damaged portions of the Butler Creek Nature Corridor's ecosystem and to construct foot trails and initiate public environmental education programs.

Cumberland Trail Conference (TN) - The Cumberland Trail Conference (CTC) is an associate organization of the Tennessee Trails Association which formed in 1997 for the specific purpose of completing the Cumberland Trail. The CTC's mission is tri-fold: acquisition, construction and maintenance of the Cumberland Trail, protection of the linear greenway and natural resources, and education for corridor communities and hikers who come to walk the trail. For several weeks each spring, volunteers come from around the country to help with new trail construction in the Big Dig program. The volunteers work seven days a week as the CTC provides food, lodging, and transportation. The National Trails Fund grant will help provide food and lodging to volunteers donating their time to trail construction along the Cumberland Trail.

Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation (WI) - The Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation (IAPTF) is a volunteer and member-based organization whose mission is to create, support, and protect a thousand-mile foot trail tracing Ice Age formations across Wisconsin, known as the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. The National Trails Fund grant will support the IAPTF's Mobile Skills Crew initiative in 2005. The Mobile Skills Crew initiative trains volunteers in teamwork, leadership development, and advanced trail building skills to assist them in building and maintaining the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.

Northwoods Stewardship Center (VT) - The Northwoods Stewardship Center fosters the stewardship of human and natural communities by sponsoring environmental outreach programs to areas of northern Vermont, New Hampshire, and Canada. The Kingdom Corps is based out of Northwoods' facility and is a conservation-based service and learning program for local youth. The National Trails Fund grant will help the Kingdom Corps address the high priority maintenance needed on the Bluff Mountain Community Trail system. The grant will enable the Corps to field a youth conservation crew on Bluff Mountain for two weeks working to improve access, reduce erosion by installing steps and drainages, and improve the trailhead and parking area.

Pacific Crest Trail Association (WA) - The Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) is the 5,000-member "voice" of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, which spans 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada. The mission of the PCTA is to protect, preserve, and promote the PCT in order to reflect its world-class significance for the enjoyment, education, and adventure of hikers and equestrians. The National Trails Fund grant will be used to purchase two crew-sized tool caches with basic tools and safety equipment, and provide support for a weeklong volunteer crew project. The crew will tackle the essential rehabilitation and reconstruction needs along a 15-mile section of the Mid-Oregon Area PCT devastated by the 2003 wildfire.

Pine Mountain Trail Conference (KY) - The Pine Mountain Trail Conference (PMTC) was established in 1999 with the mission to promote, construct and manage the Pine Mountain Trail and to conserve the natural environment of the trail and its adjacent lands. When completed, the Pine Mountain Trail will be a 110-mile hiking trail along the ridge of the Pine Mountain range, beginning at the Breaks Interstate Park, Kentucky and ending at the Cumberland Gap National Historic Park in northern Tennessee. More than 35 miles of trail have been completed, along with the construction of a shelter and more than 30 informational and directional signs along the section. The National Trails Fund grant will facilitate the PMTC's effort in continuing the next 18-mile section of Pine Mountain Trail.

Rocky Mountain Field Institute (CO) - The Rocky Mountain Field Institute (RMFI), based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of wildlands and key natural areas. RMFI fulfills its mission through environmental service, education, and research programs. The goal of the Crestone Needle-Broken Hand Pass Trail Construction and Restoration Project is to contribute to the preservation of one of Colorado's most spectacular and famous peaks and wilderness areas. The National Trails Fund grant will be used in trail reconstruction of the currently hazardous Broken Hand Pass and restoration of the surrounding ecological conditions. *Recipient of the Galen Rowell National Trails Fund award for 2005. For more information please visit www.bythom.com/chasing.htm.

The Hoppers Birge Pond Association (CT) - The Hoppers Birge Pond Association is a volunteer group formed in 1989 within the City of Bristol, CT that is dedicated to the preservation and the promotion of environmentally sound recreational and educational uses of the Hoppers Birge Pond Nature Preserve. The Preserve consists of the 13+ acre Birge Pond and the surrounding 200+ acre woodlands, locally known as the Hoppers. Past project successes include construction of the Marsh Boardwalk, installation of sediment traps along East Birge Pond Trail, and dredging of Birge Pond in 2004. The National Trails Fund will help to repair, replace, and build boardwalk sections along the West Birge Pond Trail.

The Ozark Society (AR) - The Ozark Society, founded in 1962, is dedicated to conservation, education, and recreation of Arkansas backcountry. The Ozark Society Project objective is to create additional hiking opportunities on the Sylamore Range District of the Ozark National Forest. The National Trails Fund grant will be used to extend 9 miles of new trail on the existing popular 14-mile long North Sylamore Creek Hiking Trail. The North Sylamore Creek Hiking Trail will intersect with the established Ozark Highlands Trail in a Y configuration to offer hikers terrain and distance options.

Rivanna Trails Foundation (VA) - The Rivanna Trails Foundation (RTF) is an all-volunteer organization with the mission to build and maintain a network of hiking trails in the natural greenbelt that surrounds the City of Charlottesville, Virginia. RTF's 20-mile long Rivanna Trail completely encircles the City and brings an "urban wilderness" experience within easy walking distance of every resident. The current project seeks to increase awareness of the Rivanna Trail to residents of the lower socioeconomic neighborhoods of their community, and encourage them to make hiking a regular part of a healthy lifestyle. The National Trails Fund grant will allow the purchase of maintenance tools, installation of a trailhead sign, blazes, junction posts; and printing of trail guides designed for the general public and youth hikers.

Ventana Wilderness Alliance (CA) - The mission of Ventana Wilderness Alliance (VWA) is to protect, preserve, and restore the wilderness qualities and biodiversity of the public lands within California's northern Santa Lucia Mountains and Big Sur Coast. The objective of the Black Cone Trail Project is to permanently reopen the spectacular and strategic nine-mile trail in the heart of the Ventana Wilderness. Over 1,300 volunteer hours have been contributed, working side by side with Forest Service professionals to complete more than 3 miles of re-grading. The National Trails fund will be used to hire Sierra Trail Shots to re-grade the remaining portion of the trail that requires professional work, which complemented by 275 volunteer hours will re-open the Black Cone Trail in 2005.

Volunteers for Outdoor Utah (UT) - Volunteers for Outdoor Utah (VOU) was founded in 2004 with the mission to foster responsibility among Utah residents by promoting active stewardship on their public lands. VOU's mission is fulfilled through Stewardship Projects and Trail Skills Training by establishing a community volunteer crew, knowledgeable crew leaders, and a positive relationship with land agencies. The National Trails Fund grant will enable VOU to host its first Trails Skills Workshop, during which participants will undertake a significant maintenance project during their training. The project challenge will be reconstructing a deteriorated segment of the Bald Mountain National Recreation Trail, the most popular peak in Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

Washington Trails Association (WA) - Washington Trails Association (WTA) is a volunteer-driven organization working to preserve, enhance, and promote hiking opportunities in Washington through collaboration, education, advocacy and trail maintenance. This past year WTA volunteers gave more than 60,850 hours of service to hiking trails. WTA coordinates more than 600 volunteer trail work parties annually with the help of 80 trained Assistant Crew Leaders. Each spring, WTA conducts Crew Leader College to train and refresh the paid Chief Crew Leaders and volunteer Assistant Crew Leaders. The National Trails Fund grant will support the newly created staff position of Field Coordinator in efforts to improve and expand the essential crew leader base of WTA's volunteer work.

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