
Although American Trails is celebrating 25 years and has had 21 national trails symposia, this year the first ever International Trails Symposium in Arizona was held at the Ft McDowell Resort in Scottsdale on Apr 14-17, with international representatives from every continent. TRACKS was an active participant in making this event a success. Nick served on the planning committee, as a reviewer for session presentations, and helped recruit volunteers for the ITS. He also submitted a proposal for a poster session which described TRACKS' emergency responder project, which was accepted and was presented on the poster "wall" of TRACKS photos taken by Jim Snitzer. Robbie Graham, a TRACKS member who works at the Arizona Community Foundation, volunteered to design the ITS program and marketing literature. Thanks also to Lynn Krigbaum, Rick Olson, Kathryn Melsted, Betty Zink, Jim Snitzer, Liz Wise, Sherrill Sigmen, Jerri Freeman, Julie Church, Ginger Donahue, Laurie Acree, and Peggy and Nick Lund for serving as room hosts and other volunteer duties at the Symposium. TRACKS shared an information booth with Debe Campbell of Pinetop-Lakeside Group Sales in the ITS exhibit hall, and John Vuolo, Director of the Pinetop-Lakeside Parks & Recreation Department attended the ITS.
Now for the truly exciting news. At the ITS, TRACKS was recognized with the National Trails Award for Community Service, which "honors a trail organization that performs exceptional community service relating to but beyond trail work". This is a wonderful achievement and reflects on TRACKS great partnerships with the US Forest Service, Arizona Game & Fish, and local communities of Pinetop-Lakeside, Show Low and others in the White Mountains. More Info at: www.tracks-pinetop-lakeside.org |