Funding Neede for the FHWA Recreational Trails Program

The Senate transportation bill (MAP-21) severely weakens programs for trails, walking, and biking. Amendment #1661 proposed by Senator Klobuchar (D-MN) and co-sponsored by Senators Burr (R-NC), Shaheen (D-NH), Risch (R-ID), and Udall (D-CO), would restore dedicated funding for the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), consistent with language that is already in the House bill.

Equine Land Conservation Resource is already signed on and is seeking to add organizations who want to help keep the Recreational Trails Program funded to sign on the Klobuchar MAP-21 Amendment by noon on February 23rd at the latest. Please consider signing as the bill with amendments is likely to be considered next week. The Rails to Trails Conservancy is hosting a sign on web page for us all. You can read the letter and sign on here.

Background information on the Recreational Trails Program can be found here.

Nominate your Recreational Trails Program funded project for 2012 awards

The Coalition for Recreational Trails (CRT) sponsors the Annual Achievement Awards as part of an effort to build awareness and appreciation of the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). RTP funding is vital to building and preserving our trail systems nationwide. All types of outstanding projects funded by the Recreational Trail Program are eligible for the awards. Honorees will be invited to the awards ceremony on Capitol Hill the first week in June during the annual celebration for the American Recreation Coalition's Great Outdoors Week. 

To learn more about the Annual Achievement Awards and nominate a project, visit this website.

Land Conservation Easement Tax Incentives 

Land conservation for horse farms, hay fields and trails is vitally important to the continued viability of the U.S equine industry - and to each of us as horsemen looking to feed, ride, race, compete and/or drive our horses. Furthermore, land conservation is something we can all agree on. Congressmen Jim Gerlach (R-PA) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) announce that 300 House co-sponsors for the bill to make the enhanced tax incentive for conservation easements permanent - and that includes majorities of Republicans and Democrats!

Congress should seize this opportunity to get the job done. Please contact your House representatives this week and either thank them for signing on already or if they have not, ask them to support the bill. The co-sponsor list and talking points are available here.

 SETC Comes to Lexington, Kentucky

The nation's premier equestrian trails conference, SETC 2012 is in Lexington, KY this July 12 - 14. Come join in the fun in the Horse Capital of the World and learn a little about horse trail advocacy and sustainability along the way. Individual equestrians and leaders of equestrian organizations are encouraged to attend. Learn more here.