193 Pageviews Read Stories
- EIN 51-0211993
- (301) 565-6704
- 1422 Fenwick Lane Silver Spring MD 20910 USA
- www.AmericanHiking.org
- Add to Favorites
Promote This Nonprofit
Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Environment, Natural Resources Conservation & Protection, Philanthropy, Recreational Clubs, Sports, Voluntarism Promotion
Mission: American Hiking Society is a recreation-based, conservation organization dedicated to establishing, protecting, and maintaining the nation''s hiking trails and trail lands. With thousands of individual members and hundreds of allied member organizations, American Hiking represents more than half a million outdoors people and serves as the national voice of the American hiker.Founded in 1976 to be the national voice for the hiking community, American Hiking Society builds partnerships among outdoor organizations, public land managers, and individuals. Its programs strengthen grassroots organizations and enables trail advocates to plan, fund, and develop trails in their own communities.
Programs: NATIONAL TRAILS DAY is the first Saturday in June, and is a day of public events aimed at raising awareness and appreciation for trails. National Trails Day inspires more than 1,000 events annually and brings trails enthusiasts out to America's trail system. Thousands of hikers, trail clubs, federal and local agencies, land trusts, and businesses come together in partnership to recognize volunteers, maitain local trails, and enjoy a day together on the trails.In it's third decade, VOLUNTEER VACATIONS sends over 70 volunteer trail crews into America's parks, forests, and rangelands each year for unique one- or two-week trips to build and revitalize trails. These crews repair hundreds of miles of trail each year. The NATIONAL TRAILS ENDOWMENT is the only privately funded, national grant program dedicated solely to establishing and protecting hiking trails. Begun in 1998, the Endowment awards over $40,000 each year to grassroots efforts to save trail lands and builds and maintain hiking trails. American Hiking Society also hosts ADVOCACY WEEK each spring as part of our public policy efforts as the hikers' voice in Washington,DC. While providing training on trails issues and advocacy skills to trail club leaders, participants gain the skills and access they need to increase funding and strengthen policies for their trails back home. Year round, American Hiking tracks public policy on a national level and reports current issues, debates, and intended legislation to members through its publications, outreach, and seminars.