2017 National Trails Fund Now Accepting Grant Applications

January 17, 2017

SILVER SPRING (January 17, 2017) – American Hiking Society is accepting applications for the 2017 National Trails Fund through February 17th, 2017. This exclusive grant program gives trail clubs and land managers the financial means necessary to complete critical hiking trail projects around the country.  Grants awarded range in value from $500 to $3,000.More than half a million dollars has been awarded to trail organizations since the fund’s inception in 1998.  

The National Trails Fund benefits American Hiking’s Alliance of Hiking Organizations, and information on the program can be accessed by visiting AmericanHiking.org/national-trails-fund/.   

This past year, grant winners used their funds to build new trail, to implement better erosion controls on existing trails, to remove graffiti, and to install directional signage. Every one of these measures ensures that hikers will have a safer and more enjoyable hiking experience.   

Thanks to the generous support of its Charter Sponsor, L.L. Bean. The National Trails Fund continues to invest in trail clubs which help Americans get outside and enjoy the outdoors.  

“L.L.Bean recognizes the important role that outdoor recreationalists have in being good stewards of the resource. We applaud American Hiking Society’s efforts to establish, protect, and maintain America’s foot trails. We are proud to sponsor the American Hiking Society’s National Trails Fund to support the critical role the volunteer stewards play at the local level,” stated Janet Wyper, L.L.Bean’s Manager of Community Relations.  

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. 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. To learn more about American Hiking Society and its mission and programs, visit AmericanHiking.org or call (301) 565-6704.  

About L.L.Bean

L.L.Bean, Inc. is a leading multichannel merchant of quality outdoor gear and apparel. Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as a one-room operation selling a single product, the Maine Hunting Shoe. While its business has grown over the past 100 years, L.L.Bean still upholds the values of its founder, including his dedication to quality, customer service and a love of the outdoors. To celebrate the company’s centennial, L.L.Bean is reigniting America’s passion for the outdoors, with donations of nearly $3 million to organizations that engage young people and their families in outdoor recreation. Over the past 10 years, L.L.Bean has given nearly $26 million to local, state, regional and national conservation, human service, education and arts organizations. L.L.Bean products are rigorously tested, guaranteed to last and always shipped free The 200,000 sq. ft. L.L.Bean retail store campus in Freeport, ME, is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and welcomes more than 3 million visitors every year. L.L.Bean can be found worldwide at www.llbean.com, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.