On Wednesday, March 1, Trails 2000 invites trail enthusiasts to an open house at Ska Brewing World Headquarters. During the event, Trails 2000 Executive Director Mary Monroe Brown is pleased to introduce the new Trail Crew Lead Emma Millar, along with TrailKids Educator Elizabeth "Ziggy" Lanman, who will meet and mingle with the community and discuss specific goals for the 2017 season, including the new Trail Reporter program.
"As we gear up for the 2017 trail season, we are psyched to have such a strong, dynamic team in place," Brown said. "Emma has over 10 years of professional trail building experience-from owning a private business to working with the U.S. Forest Service. Emma's trail experience and Ziggy's passion for youth education and involvement, coupled by an overall enthusiasm for our mission to instill trail stewardship and connectivity, means our team is inspired for the 2017 season. There is no better time to get involved with Trails 2000."
Millar, who was hired by Brown in January, comes well equipped to fulfill the organization's mission to plan, build and maintain trails. Millar's love of trails began at a young age growing up in Idaho, where she worked on trails during high school. When she moved to Durango to attend school at Fort Lewis College, she started a job with the Forest Service and has since worked on trails across the country. Trails 2000 conducted a nationwide search for the trail crew lead position, receiving a large, competitive applicant field.
"It is exciting to be part of such a forward-thinking organization. I love trailwork and working with volunteers," Millar said. "Building and maintaining trails, and education are all important to me. The connectivity part is what really resonates, though. I think the most important goal of trailwork is connecting people to the landscape and to each other."
Trail Reporters Wanted
Preceding the open house - which takes place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. - a brief informational and training session will be held at 5 p.m., where Millar will introduce the Trails 2000 Trail Reporter program, which is new for 2017. The program provides on-the-ground, real-time updates for current trail conditions from those users who regularly walk, run, hike, bike, or ride horses on trails in the Durango area. Trails 2000 has created a mobile-friendly website app available to the trained Trail Reporters to provide immediate trail updates.
"Many people in our community are very familiar with trails closest to their backyard and those trails they may frequent daily, and we are seeking their input in participating in our Trail Reporter program," according to Brown.
During the training, trail reporters will learn about the program and how to use the mobile form to submit real-time trail updates and photos. Updates will be used to maintain Trails 2000's year-round Trail Conditions Report located online at www.Trails2000.org, as well as for posting on their dedicated Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts and other digital marketing materials.
"As users seek more real-time information on social and digital media, we hope to leverage the knowledge and support of the trail community to provide more useful data to the public through tools such as the recently developed Trail Reporter app," Brown said.
Millar added, "The Trail Reporters program is one more way we hope to inspire everyone to get out on the trails and to become trail stewards in addition to trail users. I hope people will attend the training and share their ideas for the trails!"
As part of their continued support of the local trails and community, Ska Brewing will donate $1 of every beer purchased to Trails 2000 at the event.
