America Votes: 10 Hiking Trails Benefit From Save the Trails™ Grant Program

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The notion of preserving, restoring and protecting America’s natural footpaths and winding spaces with $50,000 in grants from Nature Valley^® and American Hiking Society sparked votes from tens of thousands of individuals as part of the Save the Trails™ initiative.

“This is the first time we’ve asked Americans to vote in support of their favorite hiking trails, and we were amazed by their enthusiastic response,” said Gregory A. Miller, American Hiking Society president. “It’s been our pleasure to partner with Nature Valley to ensure these important trails will be available for millions to enjoy for many years to come.”

More than 150 nonprofits that manage nature trails across the country competed for the grants. Then fans voted at www.wheresyours.com during October 2008. The following organizations will each receive $5,000 for their projects:

• Forest Park Conservancy (Portland, Ore.): Wildwood Trail Day of Stewardship
• Grand Trunk Trail Blazers (Sturbridge, Mass.): Camp Robinson Crusoe Trail
• Louisville Metro Parks Foundation (Louisville, Ky.): Eastern Gateway Trail
• Lula Lake Land Trust (Lookout Mountain, Ga.): Cloudland Connector Trail
• Mahanoy Creek Watershed Association (Pottsville, Pa.): Bolich Hiking Trail Project
• Nacimiento Medical Foundation (Cuba, N.M.): St. Francis Park Nature Trail
• Palmetto Conservation Foundation (Columbia, S.C.): Peak to Prosperity Passage, Palmetto Trail
• Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition (Asheville, N.C.): Fires Creek Trail System
• Southern Conservation Trust (Peachtree City, Ga.): Line Creek Nature Area Trail Signage
• Volunteers for Outdoor California (Redwood City, Calif.): Fernandez Ranch Trail Project

Nature Valley launched the 2008 Save the Trails grant program last June and its $50,000 contribution doubled the size of American Hiking Society’s National Trails Fund. The funds allow recipients to create, expand and renovate hiking trails beginning this summer. The Lula Lake Land Trust, for example, is constructing a new trail to connect its 4,000-acre Georgia property with nearby Cloudland Canyon State Park. This frequently traversed land includes 10,000 acres on fabled Lookout Mountain.

“Thanks to Nature Valley and American Hiking Society, visitors can further explore this amazing area through trail signage, an information kiosk and a trailhead gate,” said Walt Hodges, land manager for Lula Lake Land Trust.

Other projects, such as the Nacimiento Medical Foundation’s Step into Cuba program, are aimed at expanding trails to improve the health of people who live near them.

“Cuba serves as the commercial center of a rural population of approximately 7,000 Navajo, Hispanic and Anglo people in New Mexico,” said Dr. Richard Kozoll, board member of the foundation and volunteer coordinator of the project. “In our area the rates of excess weight and diabetes are very high, due in part to lack of accessible walkways and trails for physical activity. These funds will help provide the community an attractive place to be active, and to enjoy the fabulous views of nearby mountains and mesas.”

Martin Abrams, Nature Valley marketing manager, explained that funding for trails is crucial and allows more people to enjoy these outdoor corridors now, while preserving them for future generations. “Through Save the Trails, we encourage individuals of all ages to get outdoors and enjoy nature on well-established, accessible trails,” Abrams said. “These donations will benefit hikers across America, from the hills of Massachusetts to the ancient forests of California.”

Save the Trails™

National park trails need continual upkeep and preservation because of high occupancy and various environmental elements, such as fire, erosion and catastrophic storms, which deteriorate the landscape. Nature Valley has also funded the Save the Trails program with the Student Conservation Association for four consecutive years, committing a total of $400,000 to trail restoration this year. For more information about Save the Trails and this year’s winning organizations, visit www.naturevalley.com.

About American Hiking Society

Founded in 1976, American Hiking Society is the only national, recreation-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting America's hiking trails, their surrounding natural areas and the hiking experience. Since its inception in 1998, the National Trails Fund has granted nearly $340,000 to 89 different trail projects across the United States. Community preservation efforts include land acquisition, constituency building campaigns and a variety of trail work projects. With more than 200,000 miles of trails in the United States, the National Trails Fund is the only national private grants program that helps trail-maintaining organizations build and improve hiking trails and galvanize volunteers to ensure long-term trail sustainability.

To learn more about American Hiking Society and its mission and programs, visit www.AmericanHiking.org or call (301) 565-6704.

About Nature Valley^®

Nature Valley^® created the granola bar category in 1975 and brings great taste to active consumers looking for wholesome snacks. Nature Valley consists of five great-tasting granola bar lines: Crunchy Granola Bars, Chewy Trail Mix Bars, Yogurt Granola Bars, Sweet & Salty Nut Granola Bars and Roasted Nut Crunch Bars. Nature Valley is also the Official Natural Energy Bar of the PGA TOUR, the United States Ski and Snowboarding Association, Nature Valley NASTAR, Association of Volleyball Professionals, Cross Country Ski Areas Association, Vail Resorts, Aspen Resorts, Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday and the Warren Miller Film Tour. In addition, Nature Valley is a sponsor of the Student Conservation Association and the Nature Valley Grand Prix.

*Nature Valley® is a registered trademark of General Mills, Inc.

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