Champions Page 5

In Michigan, Hart-Montague Trail to be Renamed for Bill Fields, Farmer and Rail-Trail Champion

Posted 05/20/13 by Rhonda Romano in America's Trails | Tagged with Champions, Michigan

The story of America's rail-trails is rich with characters like the late Bill Field. The Michigan farmer is known and loved by people in this state as the unstoppable force behind the creation of the Hart-Montague Trail State Park, one of the America's great rural rail-trails.

Hart-Montague Trail State Park, Michigan

Posted 04/01/13 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Champions, Michigan, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

The rural flavor of western Michigan's Hart-Montague Trail State Park is palpable. Cherries, peaches and apples hang heavy from the trees. The lacy green leaves of the Asparagus Capital of the World's prized vegetable flutter in messy rows along the trail. Dairy cows placidly watch bicycles whir by and, in the summertime, the small town farmers markets offer a friendly bustle of activity.

Beyond the DOT - the Three Federal Departments That Will Define Our Trail-Building Future

Posted 02/28/13 by Kevin Mills in Building Trails, Policy | Tagged with Champions, Federal

Over the past few weeks, the trails, walking and biking community, including Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, has been very focused on what the impending departure of U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will mean for federal policy and funding of investments in active transportation.

New Faces at RTC Lend New Perspective in Changing Times

Posted 02/20/13 by Keith Laughlin in Taking Action | Tagged with Champions, RTC in Action

Never an organization to rest on its laurels, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is always looking to bring new energy and ideas to the work we do - to reinvigorate our mission and keep it relevant in a changing world. One of the ways we do that is by keeping our volunteer Board of Directors fresh, injecting the skills and perspectives of new people on a regular basis and broadening the professions, regions and backgrounds we tap into.

Obama Must Replace LaHood With Worthy Successor at USDOT

Posted 02/05/13 by Jake Lynch in Policy | Tagged with Champions, Federal, Statements of Support

With Sec. LaHood announcing last week he would step down from the role of the nation's top transportation official he has filled since 2009, the urgency is building for supporters of trails and active transportation to find a worthy replacement.

Connecticut On a Roll As the Trail Gaps Disappear

Posted 01/16/13 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails, Policy, Success Stories | Tagged with Champions, Connected Systems, Connecticut, Products of Good Policy

Driven by a supportive governor and a forward-thinking state department of transportation that is conscious of the role of biking and walking in modern planning, Connecticut has done some great things in recent years to connect, and expand, its network of trails.

New York Exec Puts Rail-Trail at Center of Ambitious Health Goal

Posted 12/04/12 by Jake Lynch in America's Trails, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Champions, New York, Statements of Support, Walkability and Bikeability

The community leaders of Ulster County in New York have set some of the nation's most ambitious rail-trail planning goals. And they are determined to make them a reality.

From Jersey, With Love - RTC's Newest Team Member Has Big Plans for His Own Neighborhood

Posted 11/28/12 by Jake Lynch in Taking Action | Tagged with New Jersey, Pennsylvania, RTC in Action, Young Champions

Sally Jacobs, 'Force of Nature'

Posted 11/15/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Taking Action | Tagged with Champions, Maine

People like Sally Jacobs are rare and treasured. Renowned in her adopted state of Maine as a committed rail-trail advocate and builder, among other roles, Sally's more than three decades in the service of conservation and outdoor recreation forged a tremendous legacy that includes the establishment of the Downeast Sunrise Trail.

From the Courtroom to the Cowboy Trail, Chuck Montange Builds First Blocks of the Rail-Trail Movement

Posted 11/08/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails, Taking Action | Tagged with Champions, Corridors and Railbanking, Legal Issues, RTC in Action

Few have been as vital to the enduring success of the rail-trail movement nationwide as Charles "Chuck" Montange.

All Systems Go for First Stage of 93-mile Rail-Trail in Vermont

Posted 11/05/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails | Tagged with Champions, Local Organizing, Vermont, Winter Uses

Local business leaders have joined the groundswell of support for a rail-trail project which, when complete, will run 93 miles through the communities and recreational and rural lands of northern Vermont.

Michigan Communities Eager to Support Planned Rail-Trail

Posted 10/15/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in America's Trails, Building Trails | Tagged with Champions, Michigan, Private Fundraising, State and Federal Programs

In 1994, Michigan businessman Fred Meijer funded the purchase of the first rail-trail right-of-way in the state. That purchase became the Fred Meijer Heartland Trail, and since then, the philanthropy of the Meijer family has made possible one of the best trail networks in America.