The following article was compiled and written by Ana McCabe and features organizations that support trails. This article first appeared in ATRA’s spring 2024 issue of Trail Times.
For trail runners, the health of our trails is just as important as the health of our bodies. Our passion for lightly bounding over rocks and roots of trees cannot be fully enjoyed without environmental wellbeing. As such, trail runners should be aware of the need for ongoing maintenance of trails and learn about and support organizations that help fortify the many trails on which we recreate. Listed below are several environmental organizations who work to develop and maintain trail systems so that we may continue to explore the natural world through running.
Support Trails: Trust for Public Land
Trust for Public Land is a nonprofit organization founded in 1972, that promotes conservation and development of natural spaces through community outreach and involvement in the protection of trails, parks, and other outdoor areas. TPL’s efforts meld together people and the environment through equal access to trails and parks. According to TPL, “Our mission is to create parks and protect land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come.”
Green spaces have been shown to naturally implement strategies that combat the effects of increasingly extreme weather conditions. Various projects Trust for Public Land has completed, including the Cleveland Centennial Lake Link Trail in Ohio, Bear Ridge Community Forest in Washington, and QueensWay Trail Project in New York, have supported their belief in using natural solutions to fight the climate crisis.
Since its founding, Trust for Public Land has protected 4 million acres of land, created 5,420 green spaces, connected 9.7 million people to the outdoors, and has secured $94.4 billion in public funding. Currently, TPL is developing the Florida Gulf Coast Trail. Once finished, this 420 mile trail will connect seven southwest Florida coastal counties, creating more accessible outdoor spaces to approximately 21 million people.
There are multiple ways to get involved with and support Trust for Public Land’s mission. Give a gift to specific projects such as the Gulf Coast Trail, or make a donation to the organization. With every $1 donated, TPL donates $11 of land. Donors become TPL members, and enjoy invitations to exclusive virtual and in-person events, and stay up-to-date with information through TPL newsletters.
Support Trails: American Hiking Society
American Hiking Society, a national nonprofit organization founded in 1976, is dedicated to the protection of trails and parks to ensure others have the opportunity to enjoy the experience of hiking.
The American Hiking Society works with Congress, federal agencies, and partners with other environmentally focused organizations to fund for the preservation of public lands and the development of trails. “As the national voice for hikers, American Hiking Society recognizes that foot trails and hiking are essential to connect people with nature, conserve open space, provide biological corridors for diverse plants and wildlife, and for the health of Americans and our natural environment.”
This organization has helped develop a community of outdoor enthusiasts who promote the relationship between the natural environment and the cultural history of people and space. Its work enables people to engage in healthy habits that celebrate nature and spreads awareness on the importance of reducing one’s environmental footprint. Leaders of this organization advocate for and educate the future generation of trail lovers.
The American Hiking Society has made a prominent impact on the health of our trails. They have mobilized over 649,000 volunteers and facilitated over 45,000 miles of trail maintenance and construction. Volunteers of this organization have contributed over $95 million in labor. The American Hiking Society continues to raise awareness and funds for a multitude of government programs and policies that support environmental advocacy.
Volunteer and membership opportunities are abundant, including trips catered to specific group size and demographic. Apply to the NextGen Leader program to become an ambassador for trails on local and national levels.
Support Trails: Rails to Trails Conservancy
Rails to Trails Conservancy began in 1986 with the intention to create trails out of retired railroad corridors. Since then, RTC has developed thousands of rail trails across the nation. They combine national policy advocacy, federal and state funding, and in-person trail development to implement trail systems using already existing paths. Partnerships with thousands of organizations, federal, local and state agencies, public leaders, and grassroots advocates contribute to the creation of these trail networks.
RTC has raised close to $24 billion in federal funding and $533 million for walking and biking trails. Supporters have sent more than 20,000 messages to federal decision-makers. Since 2008, RTC has awarded nearly $3 million in 380 trail development grants to 225 organizations nationwide. RTC has also protected trails in more than 60 legal cases on both the state and federal level.
Rails to Trails Conservancy is creating The Great Trail Rail, a 3,700-mile trail from Washington D.C. to Washington State that will connect approximately 50,000,000 people within 50 miles from the trail. The completion of this project will hopefully lead to a decrease in GHG emissions as more people explore the natural world on foot.
According toRTC, “Completing trail and active transportation networks connecting people to routine destinations by foot and bike are among the quickest and most affordable ways to increase emissions-free travel. Active transportation is an essential part of the solution to greenhouse gas emissions.”
Support this organization’s projects through donations and membership. Stay up-to-date with RTC, learn how to play a role in the development and sustainability of trails, and connect with other trail gurus through newsletters and the TrailNation collaborative.
Support Trails: Terrain Trail Runners
Terrain Trail Runners is based in Missouri, and hosts weekly group runs, trail races, and other events teaching runners the importance of nutrition, training, and highlighting diverse trail routes.
This organization practices and promotes strategies that reduce the environmental impact of trail races. “Since 2016, Terrain Trail Runners has made small but strategic efforts towards zero-waste racing to help reduce our environmental footprint because we believe every little action matters.”
Sustainable alternatives are prioritized at events hosted by Terrain Trail Runners, such as pre-cycling, recycling, and cup free hydration stations. Since 2023, this organization requires runners to bring their own dishware for post-race food as part of their Zero-Waste racing pledge. Terrain Trail Runners events utilize reusable in-ground flagging, course markers and signage made from recycled materials. Prizes are made from Repreve Recycled Polyester Fabric and other recycled materials.
This organization partners with Forest ReLeaf for the Tees Program initiative. Instead of getting a T-shirt, runners can choose to have the organization plant a tree in Missouri. Over 10,000 free 3-gallon trees are planted to over 250 community partners each year by more than 3,000 volunteers.
Terrain Trail Runners hosts sustainably focused races across Missouri for distances ranging from 5ks to ultras. Founder of Terrain Trail Runners, Shalini Bhajjan , provides personal and group coaching for a multitude of distances as well. Support this group by becoming a member (FREE) to stay connected about projects and races.
Support Trails: Runners for Public Lands
Runners for Public Lands was founded in 2019. This California-based nonprofit is dedicated to, “protecting the people and places we love by organizing runners for climate action, sustainability practices, the protection of public lands, and equitable access to nature.”
Runners for Public Lands hosts events that gather runners together to enjoy trail group runs and park clean ups. This organization partners with various groups that share the same passion for environmental justice and conservation.
In 2020, RPL co-hosted the Australian Wildlife Relief Run and raised over $6,000 for the Australian Red Cross relief and recovery efforts. This organization continues to raise awareness on environmental issues and solutions, such as the importance of composting and recycling, through presentations and events.
The Everyone Runs Fund is a program created by Runners for Public Lands to increase the accessibility and inclusivity of running while promoting environmental health. Runners dealing with challenges that negatively impact their running goals can apply their projects to RPL for potential funding and support.
Editor’s Note: Read Tayte Pollmann‘s article featuring RPL’s Everyone Runs Fund here.
Resources and guides for race directors who want to prioritize environmental stewardship at races can be found at RPL’s Race Director Hub. RPL offers a toolkit with similar tips for runners looking to increase environmental awareness within their own local communities.
RPL continues to work on transitioning running to a carbon neutral sport by supporting the use of carbon offsets and educating runners on their daily choices that affect their individual environmental footprint. This summer, Runners for Public Lands is collaborating with Trail Runner Volunteers for a trail work series in Colorado. The 2024 Trail Work Series will gather runners at various local parks to educate, discuss, and lead projects on how to care for the trails and surrounding natural environments.
Runners for Public Lands offer various memberships based on financial status, and donations are always welcome. Subscribe to their newsletter for events and service project updates.
With the sport of trail running on the rise, organizations such as these are vital for environmental health. Together, we can help our trails flourish and invite newcomers in the trail running community to do the same.
About the author
Ana McCabe is a recent graduate from Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD, with degrees in environmental studies and journalism. As a competitive distance runner, she connects her passions for running, writing, and environmental advocacy to contribute to creating a more sustainable running community. Ana considers herself an amateur coffee connoisseur and enjoys sharing runner-approved, environmentally friendly recipes on her food Instagram, foodalicious_yum.
