Silver Spring, MD – October 28, 2011 – American Hiking Society will begin accepting applications for the 2012 National Trails Fund on November 1, 2011. AHS is a non-profit that is dedicated to promoting and protecting foot trails and the hiking experience and provides support to grassroots trail organizations around the country.

Since its inception in 1998, the National Trails Fund has granted over a half a million dollars to trail projects across the United States. Community preservation efforts include land acquisition, constituency building campaigns and a variety of trail work projects. With more than 200,000 miles of trails in the United States, the National Trails Fund is the only national private grants program that helps trail-maintaining organizations build and improve hiking trails and galvanize volunteers to ensure long-term trail sustainability. Awards typically range from $500 to $5,000 per project.

“Reaching the half million dollar milestone of trail grants awarded would not have been possible without the unwavering support from L.L. Bean and Cascade Designs. Our goal of providing access to trails for all Americans is more urgent and timely than ever,” stated Gregory Miller, American Hiking Society’s President.

Projects that will be considered include:

• Those with hikers as the primary constituency, though multiple human-powered trail projects are eligible
• Projects which secure trail lands, including acquisition of trails and trail corridors and the costs associated with acquiring conservation easements
• Those that result in visible and substantial ease of access, improved hiker safety and/or avoidance of environmental damage
• Ventures which promote constituency building surrounding specific trail projects, including volunteer recruitment and support

All applications must be submitted to American Hiking Society by midnight on December 15, 2011. Grants will be announced and awarded in spring of 2012. View grant guidelines and requirements at www.AmericanHiking.org.

About American Hiking Society

Founded in 1976, American Hiking Society is the only national, recreation-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting America’s hiking trails, their surrounding natural areas and the hiking experience. To learn more about American Hiking Society and its mission and programs, visit www.AmericanHiking.org or call 301-565-6704.