2024 National Trails Day® Grant Recipients Announced
American Hiking Society is proud to announce the 2024 National Trails Day® micro-grant program selectees. The grant is designed to reduce barriers for underrepresented communities to participate in meaningful events in celebration of the 32nd annual American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day® on June 1, 2024.
Three events organized by underrepresented communities in the outdoors have been selected to receive $1,500 each in funding to support an in-person event for National Trails Day®.
The selection process for identifying the recipients was thorough, and the recipients were chosen based on their dedication and commitment to inclusivity and diversity in the outdoors. The recipients have a deep understanding of the importance of fostering a sense of community, and will each celebrate National Trails Day® by creating safe and welcoming spaces for event participants to have impactful and memorable outdoor experiences.
American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day®, is an annual event aimed at advocacy, trail service, and encouraging local communities to connect in the outdoors throughout the United States. This annual celebration occurs on the first Saturday in June and encourages people of all ages and abilities to get outside, advocate for, and enjoy trails.
The event recipients of the 2024 National Trails Day® micro-grant program are:
Central Moraines Chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance
This event will bring together the Central Moraines Chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance volunteers and Mount View Care Center staff and residents, giving nursing home residents the opportunity to explore, enjoy, give back, and leave a lasting, positive impact on the trail. Access Ability Wisconsin will be providing an all-terrain wheelchair that wheelchair dependent or limited mobility residents will use to immerse themselves in a piece of nature that would otherwise be unavailable to them.
Taking place in Hatley, Wisconsin along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail and Mountain Bay Trail, the residents will go for their rides; assist Ice Age Trail volunteers in painting 4×4, wooden, signage posts that will be utilized on the portion of the Ice Age Trail in the county they reside; and learn about the trail through an interactive educational game.
Friends of Mill Ridge Park
With guided hikes, forest bathing, and talks about a variety of topics, this event will provide an opportunity for community members to enjoy a day spent in nature and on the trails at Mill Ridge Park, which is located in the most diverse zip code in Nashville and has historically lacked access to greenspace and outdoor services. There will also be exciting giveaways as well as light snacks and beverages for event participants.
Appalachian Mountain Club & Unpaved Trails for All
Planned by Unpaved Trails for All, a grassroots advocacy group that was formed when a few people with disabling conditions wanted an accessible trail in their city, this event will serve the disability community, seniors, and families with young children who want to get outside, giving them an opportunity to connect to the outdoors, try adaptive outdoor recreation gear, and advocate for access to nature. These three groups have a shared need for more accessible nature spaces.
This event will also support the advocacy for S.446/H.769, An Act Expanding Access to Trails for People of All Abilities. This is a bill currently being considered by the Massachusetts General Court that would establish a working group to review the accessibility of existing trails in the Commonwealth and make recommendations for where access can be improved. Appalachian Mountain Club’s professional trail crews will be in attendance to discuss how sustainable trail design and maintenance supports stewardship and the value of universally accessible trails for people and nature.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to provide the National Trails Day® micro-grant program this year, enabling us to carry on the vital work of breaking down barriers for marginalized and underrepresented communities in the outdoors. American Hiking Society is committed to supporting these meaningful events nationwide through the National Trails Day® micro-grant program,” expressed American Hiking’s Executive Director, Heather Klein Olson.
For more information on National Trails Day® and the micro-grant program, please visit NationalTrailsDay.org.