Dear Trail Enthusiast:

The Coalition for Recreational Trails, a federation of national and regional trail-related organizations, is pleased to announce its 2013 achievement awards to recognize outstanding trail projects funded by the national Recreational Trails Program (RTP). The awards will be presented in Washington, D.C. during Great Outdoors Week in June, 2013 as part of the Coalition’s ongoing effort to build awareness and appreciation of this highly successful program, which has greatly enhanced the quantity and quality of trail experiences available to the public. We will be holding the awards ceremony on Capitol Hill and will encourage Members of Congress to join us in honoring the outstanding achievements of their constituents.

Award winners will be selected from projects nominated by public agencies, trail administrators or other project sponsors. Projects must be completed in order to receive an award. In addition, projects completed before 2005 are ineligible. Project award categories will include: construction and design; maintenance and rehabilitation; education and communication initiatives; accessibility enhancement; multiple-use management or “corridor sharing”; environment/wildlife compatibility; and use of youth conservation/service corps.

We invite you to nominate an outstanding project and to encourage the sponsor(s) of an excellent project in your state to submit a nomination as well. A nomination form is enclosed for your use. This year, for just the second time, we are also encouraging those making nominations to solicit support from their Members of Congress – both U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators – to build awareness of excellent RTP-funded projects and the RTP program itself. Additional information can be found on the nomination form.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW NOMINATION FORM

The nomination form and any supporting materials, including pictures, should be returned by March 29, 2013 to the Chair of the Coalition’s Awards Committee: Duane Taylor, Director of Federal Affairs, Motorcycle Industry Council, 1235 South Clark Street, Suite 600, Arlington, Virginia 22202. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call him at (703) 416-0444 or send him an e-mail at dtaylor@mic.org. Winners should be notified no later than April 30, 2013.

We hope you will join us in this important effort to recognize the significant contributions to trail-related recreation that the Recreational Trails Program is supporting all across the country.

Sincerely,

The Coalition for Recreational Trails