DEC COMMISSIONER CELEBRATES NATIONAL TRAIL DAY BY ANNOUNCING STATE TRAILS SUPPORTER PATCH

Proceeds Will Support Trail Maintenance and Improvements On State Lands

New York State Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today marked National Trails Day by announcing the upcoming availability of a new Trails Supporter Patch. Proceeds from the sale of the patch will help protect and enhance the state’s public trail network and promote outdoor recreational activity.

              “New York State has an extensive network of trails and hiking areas which provide tremendous outdoor recreational opportunities for the public to use and enjoy,” Commissioner Grannis said. “The new trail supporter patch allows New Yorkers do their part to support trail maintenance projects across the state and encourage the public stewardship of our valuable natural resources.”

            

  The new Trails Supporter Patch will soon be available for purchase for a $5 donation at all outlets where sporting licenses are sold, on DEC’s website and at participating outdoor stores and ADK facilities.  Patch proceeds will help maintain and enhance non-motorized trails throughout New York State.  All monies raised from the purchase of the patch will be deposited in the Conservation Fund’s Outdoor Recreation, Trail Maintenance, and Development Account. DEC administers more than 3,500 miles of non-motorized trails on State Forests, Wildlife Management Areas, Forest Preserves, and Multiple Use Areas.

 

State Senator Betty Little (right) said, “Our recreation trails offer residents and visitors tremendous opportunities to enjoy our natural resources.  These trails require constant maintenance to clean up debris and litter and ensure they are safe and inviting.  This is a creative and fun way to engage the public and raise revenue dedicated to maintaining the trails.”

 

State Assemblyman Darrel J. Aubertine said, “There is so much natural beauty to be discovered in our state’s rich recreational opportunities.  It is essential that our extensive trail system is protected in order to keep their picturesque views pristine for all citizens’ enjoyment.  The fund created by the sale of these special patches will ensure proper maintenance of these trails now and in the future.”

 

 

Executive Director of the Adirondack Mountain Club, Neil Woodworth said, “The Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) is proud to support the Trails Supporter Patch program. The Trails Supporter initiative will enable the many members of trail maintaining organizations like ADK and the greater hiking community at large to demonstrate their support for constructing and maintaining hiking trails in New York, the state with the greatest network of hiking trails in the nation.”

Funding from the sales of the trails supporter patch will also provide DEC’s valuable partners in the Adopt-A-Natural-Resource Stewardship Program with additional money to reach more trails for maintenance assistance.  The Adopt-A-Natural-Resource Stewardship Program is a volunteer-based program which assists DEC with trail maintenance on DEC administered lands.

The colorful trail patch depicts a winding trail leading from the water to the mountains, a scene typical of many of New York’s trails, and a visible reminder of the state’s wonderful legacy of public trails, which connects people to the natural landscape and our environment. 

Little was joined by North Elba town Supervisor Shirley Seney (right), Executive Director of the Adirondack Mountain Club Neil Woodworth, DEC Region 5 Director Betsy Lowe and Adirondack Mountain Club President, Curt Miller in lauding the supporter patch initiative.

Among those trails that will benefit from the patch are some of New York’s finest and most well-known, including the Northville-Placid Trail, the main Finger Lakes Trail, and the Long Path, among other trails across the state. For more information on DEC managed lands go to the DEC website www.dec.ny.gov and click on Places to Go under the Outdoor Recreation section.