10 Steps to Help Save Our Outdoors

10 Steps to Help Save Our Outdoors

1. Promote Connections In Our Communities – Trail and greenway infrastructure that connects people and places in our neighborhoods, towns, cities and regions readily accessible within 15 minutes walking distance of every American.
2. Create a National Trails Network/System – An integrated trails network at all levels: linking cities, states, and regions of the United States and North America, as well as trails accessing National Parks, National Forests and other public lands.
3. Commit Sustainable Funding – Ongoing, sustainable revenue stream to fund and offer incentives to create trails and greenways. Includes federal funds & programs: Transportation Enhancements, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ), National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program, The Recreational Trails Program, U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) programs, Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), Safe Routes to School, and Complete Streets.
4. Expand Environmental Education – Environmental education an integral part of a national and local school curricula at every level.
5. Associate Trails with Health and Fitness – Trails are, and should be, a significant part of community health and fitness programs.
6. Encourage All Americans to Participate – Opportunities for the American People to give back—helping to plan, fund and work on trails in our neighborhoods, parks, as well as on state and federal lands.
7. Promote Sustainable Transportation – Alternative modes of travel that lessen dependence on foreign oil and reduce CO2 emissions contributing to climate change.
8. Engage, Motivate Youth – Promote stewardship with youth conservation/trail building corps.
9. Promote Access and Accessibility – An accessible, safe system for all abilities within easy reach of all homes and places of employment.
10. Build Trail and Greenway Partnerships – Trails and greenways created as vital infrastructure; working with homebuilders and developers, transportation, utility, flood and fire control agencies and others with mutual benefit.