Friday, November 9, 2012

Fall Forward!

The last few months have been a whirlwind for us here at CDTC.  We submitted our 501 (c) (3) application, launched our facebook page, did volunteer work trips, have been working on various aspects of the new organization, and most recently attended the National Scenic Trails Training Workshop. Its been tremendous the support we continue to receive for our endeavor, especially within and from our brethren in other National Scenic Trails, and it reminds us of how much we love what we're doing.

While at the week long National Scenic Trails Workshop, we joined the staffs of all national scenic trails and our agency leaders to discuss the issues facing our community and start formulating strategies to resolving and addressing them.  We discussed everything from the changing social landscape of our world and how we craft our message to engage more people than ever before, to how are we going to address the many land protection needs facing all of our Trails.  Its an exciting time, but it is alot of work. Its strikes us that we are in a critical moment in the lifetime of our National Trails System, and it requires even more dedication than ever before.

And we know, it's not easy work, but it is noble work, and it is inspiring to know we are apart of a larger community that loves the national scenic trails and is committed to helping the american and international public alike, discover them and fall in love with them as much as we have.  Its an exciting time for sure, but its also a very challenging time too.  With the climate in "Washington"we have a challenge of ensuring legislative support remains high and that includes providing adequate funding for the Trail System as a whole, including funding for the CDNST. With more and more people using our lands, we have the challenge of finding ways that we may all co-exist along and on the CDNST, and find ways we can meet the needs of the Trail and the many needs of many publics.  We have the challenge of launching a new non profit in a time when funding is competitive and we have to find a way to share our compelling mission with new audiences and engage them in a way we never have before. But we also know all of these issues are important and that we are up to the challenge.  And, while we may not have all the answers, we have no doubt that if we involve as many of you as possible, we'll find them.

We are wrapping up our week of training here and as always we have shared our learned lessons as much as learning the lessons learned by others.  All of this is part of our process and its great to be reminded how inspiring it is to be apart of this community and we hope you continue to help us along the way, after all, its your community too!