Introduction/Goals of presentation

What is the North Country Trail? What is a Trail Town?What are our next steps?

The North Country National Scenic Trail

National Trails System Act

Signed Oct. 2, 1968

Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail as the first

14 others were considered for designation

NCNST designated March 5, 1980

Today there are 11 National Scenic Trails

• North Country Trail

• Appalachian Trail

• Pacific Crest Trail

• Continental Divide

• Ice Age Trail

• Arizona Trail

• Pacific Northwest Trail

• New England

• Natchez Trace

• Potomac Heritage Trail

• Florida Trail

Highlights scenic beauty as well as historic and cultural resources and northern communities

Designated by congress

Built and maintained by volunteers

America’s longest hiking trail, 4,600 miles when complete

Traverses 160 units of public land

Marked by blue blazes

New York Eastern Terminus: Crown Point

Pennsylvania Ohio Michigan Wisconsin Minnesota North Dakota

Western Terminus: Lake Sakakawea

National Park ServiceNational Park Service NCTANCTA

Plan the route Developing and

protecting the corridor

Technical Assistance

Certification

Organize locally Build Partnerships Mapping Promotion Advocacy

The Partnership

7

NCT in Michigan

Customize this slide

Your Chapter• X number of Members• X miles• Highlight the

important features and popular destination points for the trail in your chapter’s area.

• Including Your Town!

Customize this slide

Your Chapter• Add photos of your

chapter activities• List your events,

accomplishments and where they can go to find more information

What is a Trail Town?

A Trail Town is a community through which the North Country Trail passes that supports hikers

with services, promotes the Trail to its citizens and embraces the Trail as a resource to be protected

and celebrated.

What is a trail town

A trail town is a Relationship between:

Community (its resources/amenities/economy)

The Trail The NCTA (building/maintaining

it and telling its story)

Benefits to the North Country Trail • Provides hiker re-supply/access/amenities.• Grows awareness, making it a resource that is valued by

the community. • Helps protect the trail by including it in local planning

efforts.

Benefits to the Town• Tourism destination • Outdoor activities for residents• Improves the health of the environment • Recognition for local businesses

What are the benefits?

How Does It Work?

Planning Includes NCNST in community planning Non-motorized outdoor recreation brings in $$$ Identifies amenities, attractions, resources of interest to

trail users Identifies NCNST on community maps Encourages local businesses to include NCNST users in

business planning Adopt NCNST as part of community

How does it work?

Branding/Marketing/Communications Tourism and Destination marketing possibilities Improved signage and interpretation for local areas Communicating the town is linked to a National Scenic

Trail! Growing local awareness throughout the state and region

How Does it Work?

Partnering Opportunities to build

events or programs around the Trail. Outreach events Hikes Festivals Instructional classes

on backpacking, snowshoeing, bird watching, etc.

Trail building workshops

Local events

Marking the trail through Town

What’s next

Review the Trail Town checklist and let’s get started.