With rail-trails like the Bizz Johnson Trail on the schedule, guidebook mapping in California should be more fun than work.
	Our Goal
	Imagine being able to go online to RTC's trail finder and download a trail map for every rail-trail in the country. How much easier would it be to locate a trail close to home or explore one in another state on your next vacation? Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is making that a reality. Funded by a grant from the Tawani Foundation, RTC has taken on a major mapping initiative. Our goal is to map all open and project rail-trails in the country. Not only will these maps help folks find and enjoy trails, but the mapping data will also assist RTC as we work to promote trail building.

Wanted:
A Few Good Volunteers

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's (RTC) Western Regional Office is set to begin an ambitious and exciting project: building the new, definitive California rail-trail guidebook to feature roughly 70 rail-trails in the state, as well as a selection of scenic rail-trails in nearby Nevada and Arizona.
 
"We're excited to roll up our sleeves and actually get out on the trails," says Ben Gettleman, manager of trail development. "We know this is going to be a big project, but a very fun one, nonetheless. Each rail-trail needs to be researched beforehand, mapped using a GPS receiver, photographed, and written up for the guidebook."
 
Other RTC field offices have recently completed similar projects in their regions, including three new guidebooks in 2007 for Mid-Atlantic, New England and Southeast rail-trails. And the guidebook for the Great Lakes region of the Midwest is currently in production.
 
The Northeast office spent last year hiking and cycling 60 rail-trails for the New England guidebook, with University of Massachusetts students and local volunteers providing a considerable lift to the effort.
 
Western staff members are hoping to have similar success in recruiting quality, enthusiastic help. So if you like riding trails, writing, taking pictures, have a fun sense of adventure and want to get involved with mapping and reviewing rail-trails in California, then please e-mail Ben at benjamin@railstotrails.org for more information.
 
All information gathered on these mapping trips also directly benefits Traillink.com, RTC's free, one-stop resource for rail-trail descriptions, driving directions, interactive maps, user reviews, pictures and more. The more detail you collect, the more thoroughly RTC can assist everyone looking for great rail-trails all around the country.