Friends Of The Mountains To Sea

Trail routing: identified new connecting routes on backroads and existing trails in areas where a final route has not yet been designated. Worked with local governments and non-profit land trusts to encourage and assist them in acquiring new land for the trail.

Trail building and maintenance: maintained and improved existing trail and constructed new trail near elkin in surry county. Began construction on new trail at bentonville and a reroute of trail in the linville gorge. Completed a master plan for expanding the trail in holly shelter game land, worked on design and engineering for a footbridge in bladen lakes state forest. Responded to impacts from hurricane helene. 1,000 volunteers worked 37,244 hours to build, maintain, protect and promote the trail.

Advocacy: educated federal, state and local elected officials and other stakeholders about the value of the mountains-to-sea trail.