Arizona Trail Association (AZ) - A non-profit organization dedicated to the construction and maintenance of the Arizona Trail. Project: Provide a critical, reliable, and potable water source for hikers and horses. The proposed project is to repair an existing, abandoned water well that is located in the southeast section directly south of the White Canyon Wilderness of the Arizona Trail. Use of NTF: Money will go to equipment, installation (and assistance in back-country installation), planning/project supervision, and technical assistance.
*Recipient of the Galen Rowell National Trails Fund award for 2007.
For more information please visit www.bythom.com/chasing.htm

Arizona Wilderness Coalition (AZ) -Works to permanently protect and restore wilderness and other wild lands and waters in Arizona. Project: To continue maintenance of the 3.5 miles of the main wilderness trail, begin maintenance on the most eroded sections of the Clark Springs Trail, and complete 2 miles of new trail construction all done by volunteers. Use of NTF: Money will allow the Coalition to purchase its own set of tools and provide refreshments to volunteers.

Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (CO) - A volunteer-based partnership among non-profit organizations, concerned individuals, and public agencies to protect and preserve the natural integrity of Colorado’s Fourteeners and the quality of the recreational opportunities they provide. Project: To re-construct 1.07 miles of the Uncompahgre Peak and restore 1000 sq. ft of the unsustainable steep and eroding trail on the peak. Use of NTF: Money will go to field supplies, equipment, programs, project management, training and travel.

Common Ground Outdoor Adventures (UT) - Their mission is to provide life-enhancing outdoor recreational opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities. The organization provides a variety of recreational opportunities for people with disabilities in northern Utah, assisting them with a variety of outdoor activities including hiking and camping. Project: To repair a .5 mile long wooden walkway that runs along the Logan River Trail which will make the trail even more accessible to people with disabilities. Use of NTF: Money will go towards materials and to support the trail crew (Utah Conservation Corps).

Cumberland Trail Conference (TN) - A non-profit organization, dedicated to the management, maintenance, building, and completion of the Cumberland Trail (CT), a Tennessee State Scenic Trail. Project: To build seven miles of new trail, constructing footbridges or rock hops, and to perform maintenance on the existing segments of trail. Use of NTF: Money from the NTF would be spent on feeding, lodging, and transporting volunteers.

Florida Trail Association (FL) - A nonprofit volunteer organization that builds, maintains, protects, and promotes the 1,400 mile Florida National Scenic Trail, along with another loop and side trails, called the Florida Trail system. Project: To replace bridges and/or boardwalks in three areas: the Ft. Braden Trail, the Hillsborough River Trail, and the little Manatee Hiking Trail. Use of NTF: Money will go to meals, tools and supplies, materials, and camping fees.

Friends of Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge (IL) - A non-profit dedicated to using the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge for wildlife conservation, recreation, agriculture and industry. Project: To enhance and repair a five mile section of the River to River hiking trail that has bad erosion problems and to add a parking area. Use of NTF: Money will go to surface materials for trail and parking area, kiosks and interpretive signage, pack mules, materials for erosion control, and tools.

Nantahala Hiking Club (NC) - A non-profit organization that does maintenance on almost 60 miles of the Appalachian Trail, encourages the public to hike throughout the local community, and conducts hikes every weekend. Project: To put together a pilot workshop to cover the basics of hiking to physical education teachers in order to spread the word about hiking and to share the benefits of hiking especially to youth. Use of NTF: Money will go to volunteer hour costs, administrative support to workshop, and student (teacher) resource materials.

National Smokejumper Association (MT) - Through a cadre of volunteers and partnerships, is dedicated to preserving the history and lore of smokejumping, maintaining and restoring our nation’s forest and grassland resources, and responding to special needs of smokejumpers and their families. Project: To replace critical tools with state of the art equipment to ensure the safety of volunteers and the continued success in meeting Forest Service trail maintenance standards. An additional objective is to upgrade their yearly newspaper where all new volunteers are recruited from. Use of NTF: Money will go to Pulaskis, shovels, cross cut saws, chainsaws, camp stoves, sun showers, cooking tents, a water trailer, and the upgrade for their 2007 special report newsletter.

New Mexico Volunteers for the Outdoor (NM) - An all-volunteer, non-profit, non-political organization that is dedicated to improving trails and outdoor recreation facilities throughout the state of New Mexico. Project: To improve half a mile of Skyline trail such that the trail is well drained and defined to accommodate both foot and horse traffic. This will be done by installing a drainage system so that erosion does not continue. This work will be done over an 8 day backpack trip. Use of NTF: Money will go to food and administrative costs of this trip.

North Country Trail Association- Heritage Chapter (WI) - A volunteer, non-profit organization formed to develop, maintain, and promote use of the North Country National Scenic Trail from Copper Falls State Park near Mellen, WI to the Wisconsin-Michigan border near Hurley, Wisconsin. Project: To complete one mile of new trail to enhance Iron and Ashland Counties’ recreational facilities, promote additional volunteer and user interest, and play a larger role in the local area’s recreational resources. Use of NTF: Money will specifically go to lumber, screws, nails, and SCA Crew & Leaders, while other items will be paid for from other sources.

Northwest Forest Conservancy (OR) - A non-profit, public-benefit corporation dedicated to the protection, restoration, education, and responsible management of the forest and all the lands and waters it influences. Project: To build a coalition of individuals and groups dedicated to keeping the trails of Bull of the Woods Wilderness and other great trails in the Clackamas Ranger district of the Mt. Hood National Forest maintained and taken care of. Use of NTF: Money will go to the creation of a website, printed material, press release, volunteer training, equipment, grant administration, and a project coordinator.

Palmetto Conservation Foundation (SC) - A private, non-profit organization that conserves the state’s natural and cultural resources, preserves historic building and landmarks, and promotes outdoor recreation with trails and greenways. Project: To construct one 25-foot bridge, one 44-foot bridge, and construct 392 feet of trail tread which will tie the bridges together and link the section to the existing Enoree Passage of the Palmetto Trail. This will be the last un-trailed segment of the Enoree Passage; the bridges are the last link to fully open the 30 mile plus Enoree Passage through the Sumter National Forest. Use of NTF: Money will go to mobilization, riprap around bridge abutment, gabions, construction of the 44’ bridge, construction of the 25’ bridge, and construction of the 392’ trail tread.

Pfeiffer Nature Center (NY) - A non-profit organization with the purpose of building a foundation of knowledge, understanding, and appreciation for the intrinsic value and aesthetic qualities of our natural world. Project: To provide permanent trail markers, trail maps, and a trailhead kiosk containing appropriate signage and allowing the public to register on the three miles of new trail on the Yubadam road property. Use of NTF: Money will go to sign posts, wooden trail marker signs, developing topographic maps with trails marked, printing trail maps, and designing and building a trailhead kiosk.

Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council (CA) - A volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to establishing and maintaining the public trail system throughout the Santa Monica Mountains, through advocacy and partnerships with public and private sectors. Project: To construct a connector/link trail from Peter Strauss Ranch to Malibu Creek State Park located in the Santa Monica Mountains, west of the city of Los Angeles. Use of NTF: Money will go toward rental of a mini-excavator (Takeuchi TB 16), chainsaw (including oil, chain and parts), personal safety equipment, and signage.

Waltham Land Trust (MA) - A private, non-profit charitable organization in Massachusetts dedicated to preserving open space and the community’s natural resources in Waltham through advocacy, education, acquisition and protection. Project: To create a footpath, called the Chester Brook Corridor Trail that will connect people to additional hiking areas in adjoining conservation areas. This trail will connect two existing conservation areas, three public schools, a YMCA, a 100-unit affordable housing complex, and numerous other residential neighborhoods. Use of NTF: Money will go to transaction fees, trail signs, blazes, trail development, road crossing stripes, and trail maps.

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