ALASKAN RESOURCES

www.groundtruthtrekking.org isn’t about trails, specifically, but it is about a compelling epic Alaska trip traveling from Seattle to the Aleutian Islands via packrafts. Pure, wonderful nutso travel!

www.blm.gov/ak/st/en/prog/akcttm.html shows what the Bureau of Land Management has been up to regarding trails on federal lands in Alaska.

Campbell Creek Science Center
http://www.blm.gov/ak/st/en/prog/sciencecenter.html
The Campbell Creek Science Center is operated by the Bureau of Land Management (U.S. Department of the Interior) with assistance from its many partners and volunteers. The Center is available for use by local school children, teachers, parents, clubs, and organizations for classes, meetings, and for conferences on subjects related to natural resources. Reservations are required and fees are charged to help defray operating costs. Individuals can use the library for self-study at no charge during normal operating hours if there is no conflict with scheduled classes. The Center can be contacted at 267-1247 and is located at 6881 Abbott Loop Road, Anchorage, AK 99507-2599.

NEWSLETTERS REGARDING TRAILS:

Many national organizations offer e-newsletters that relate to Transportation Enhancements and to the Recreational Trails Program. Most allow you to subscribe easily. Here are links to pages where you can sign up:

Recreational Trails related...
• American Trails: www.americantrails.org/enews
• American Council of Snowmobile Associations: www.snowmobilers.org/
• International Mountain Bicycling Association: www.imba.com/
• National Off Highway Vehicle Conservation Council: www.nohvcc.org/
• Tread Lightly!: www.treadlightly.org/
Transportation Enhancements related...
• America's Byways Bulletin: www.bywaysonline.org/program/bulletin/
• National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse: Connections:
www.enhancements.org/
• National Trust for Historic Preservation: www.nationaltrust.org/
• League of American Bicyclists: www.bikeleague.org/ (go to Members/E-Newsletter)
• National Center for Bicycling and Walking: www.bikewalk.org/
• Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: www.railstotrails.org/newsandpubs/index.html

NATION-WIDE RESOURCES

Value of Volunteer Time
The table "Value of Volunteer Time" provides a historical look at volunteering and its estimated dollar value. Assuming that the same number of volunteer hours was served in 2004 as in 2000, the total dollar value of volunteer time for 2004 is estimated at $272 billion.

Logical Lasting Launches
www.nps.gov/ncrc/programs/rtca/helpfultools/launchguide.pdf
"Logical Lasting Launches" is a guidebook for development of canoe, kayak and small boat launch sites. The guide contains practical location, design and construction criteria for small boat launches. It includes a chapter on development of launch sites that meet ADA requirements.

Forest Service Trails Reports 2004 CD Available
The US Forest Service produced a CD-ROM called "Forest Service Trails Report 2004", which has 28 trails-related reports produced by the Forest Service's Technology and Development Program. Many of these reports are at www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/fspubs/index.htm, but not all. To get a CD, go to www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rectrails/trailpub.htm, print the order form, mark what you want, and fax the form to (301) 577-1421. Or, send an email to report.center@fhwa.dot.gov, and request *0423-2C03-MTDC, Forest Service Trails Reports 2004 CD.

National Trails Training Partnership
www.NTTP.net
The National Trails Training Partnership (NTTP) is a forum of diverse trail organizations and agencies whose mission is to improve opportunities for training for the nationwide trails community.

American Trails
www.AmericanTrails.org
Our members are working to enhance and protect America's network of interconnected trails. We support local, regional, and long-distance trails and greenways, whether in backcountry, rural, or urban areas. Our goal is to support America's trails by finding common ground and promoting cooperation among all trail interests.

Stabilized Engineered Wood Fiber for Accessible Trails
http://www.access-board.gov/research/play-surfaces/report-trails.htm
The U.S. Department of Agriculture¹s Forest Service and the United States Architectural and Transportation Accessibility Compliance Board have released a report that examines stabilizing engineered wood fiber to improve wheelchair and walker accessibility for outdoor recreational trails where traditional paving would be costly and would detract from the natural aesthetics.

Rails With Trails: Lessons Learned
www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rectrails/rwt/toc.htm
This report is available on-line. Additional printed copies are available through the FHWA Report Center. See www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rectrails/trailpub.htm for the order form, or send a fax to 301-577-1421 and request publication FTA-MA-26-0052-041. It is also on the FHWA Bicycle and Pedestrian Reports order form at www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/order.htm.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has recently added a Trail-Building Toolbox to its website. This new feature is designed as a comprehensive resource center to fit the needs of all involved in trail development. See the Toolbox at: www.railstotrails.org/ and click the trail building link.

R.S. 2477 Court Decision
The Utah federal court case determined the blading of RS 2477s claimed by the county constituted new construction and was in essence trespass on BLM managed lands (Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument). The decision contains good history on recent court cases regarding RS 2477 issues.

Mechanized Trail Building Equipment
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rectrails/equip/
The Mechanized Trail Building Equipment Web site (http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rectrails/equip/) is designed to provide useful information about equipment to trail designers, builders, and maintenance personnel. Small mechanized equipment is defined as less than 60 inches (152.4 cm) wide. Included are representative examples of smaller skid-steers, excavators, track loaders, dozers, haulers, all-terrain vehicles (ATV's), utility vehicles (UTV's), attachments, and a variety of miscellaneous equipment. There are also links to useful literature such as trail drawings and Web sites for a quick refresher on currently accepted trail construction methods and to help users address specialized problems.

Minnesota DNR's “Trail Planning, Design & Development Guidelines” publication has been posted on the agency's website for free non-commercial download. To find the book and download instructions please refer to the following link and click on either “DNR Books” or “Trails & Waterways.” Because the downloads are password-protected, you'll be prompted for User Name & Password. Contact information is provided online for obtaining this information: www.dnr.state.mn.us/publications/index.html

American Hiking Society offers trail work vacations all over the country and even in some foreign locales. Check this out for a vacation or possibly as a way to get volunteers:  www.americanhiking.org/events/vv/index.html

The National Recreation Trail (NRT) database has been completely redesigned to provide an attractive and efficient means for users to find NRTs: www.nrtdatabase.org

This training course about defensive horse safety provides the basics on how to safely work around pack and saddlestock. The course has nine topics, including grooming, saddling, riding, and transporting stock: www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/flash/fla07672F02/index.htm (Username: t-d, Password: t-d)