We’ve gone Platinum!
Hello GPTA followers, and happy summer! I hope wherever you are it’s not too hot, but if you’ve been keeping track, it’s been very hot on the Great Plains with temps reaching into triple digit territory at times in many places all along the GPT. It stands to reason that the best times to go for a long hike in the plains is either spring or fall, while using summer for shorter hikes. Winter can be fine too, depending on where and when you go. There are lots of beautiful mild days on the plains even in the heart of winter.
Speaking of seasons, this spring found GPTA board members hard at work getting our Guidestar profile all the way to Platinum – the highest standard for non-profits. The Board had some good conversations about what GPTA has accomplished so far, our current strategies, and where we plan to take things in the future. We may be small, but it has always been my goal to do things the right way, and having a Platinum seal from Guidestar shows that we’re serious about this project and we’re committed to developing more tools and resources to help grow the trail in the future.
The Pilot Trail has been a very successful way for us to envision and promote the trail over the last few years, and we have a lot of opportunities to refine and even extend the Pilot Trail in the coming years. In fact, that is a key overall strategy for the GPT – to extend the Pilot Trail both North and South as opportunities allow. In this way, the trail will unfold into its full length in feasible increments. Much of the northern half is already feasible as an unsupported hike, but more pieces can always be added and improved on as we go. Stay tuned for developments in 2023 and beyond!
Other Trail News – Good News from Congress!
Who’s ready for some good news from the Legislative Branch? Everyone! So here it is: The House of Representatives has passed the BOLT Act, and is sending it along to the Senate for discussion and possible final approval.
The BOLT Act directs that federal land managers develop 10 long-distance bike trails, and defines long-distance trails as more than 80 miles. The BOLT Act is supported by several outdoor recreation groups, including Adventure Cycling Association, Bikepacking Roots and the International Mountain Biking Association.
Approval of this Bill may very well aid our efforts on the GPT. We consider the GPT to be bikeable in most sections (with a few work-arounds where the GPT crosses wilderness areas). Any legislation that helps support long distance bike trails is sure to help us at least indirectly if not directly. Way to go Congress!
Keep In Touch With the Great Plains Trail Alliance
While you eagerly await the next edition of the Great Plains Trail Alliance Newsletter, you can stay updated about what’s happening in the GPTA world by visiting our various internet/social media outlets including:
The GPT at the WTN Conference
For the last two years, GPTA has been a member of the World Trails Network. If you’re not familiar with WTN, you may want to check them out. We’ve been very impressed with them. They are a newer organization that promotes trails and trail-building throughout the world. They are based in Europe, and this year, they are hosting a World Trails Conference in Scathes, Greece in September.
While GPTA will be unable to attend in person, we will have a presence there virtually, Steve will be giving a short presentation on the GPT followed by a discussion. We’re excited to be able to talk about the beauty of the Great Plains, and bring the GPT to a global audience. I imagine that Europeans will be intrigued because Europe does not contain any large grassland ecosystems, with the possible exception of the far eastern reaches in and around Ukraine.
In any case, this is a great opportunity for us, and we’re excited to be a part of it, even virtually! If you’re interested, you can join the conference virtually as well. Registration for the (virtual) conference is 35 Euros, which works out to be about $36.
One Response
OMG, whoever decided to include this Great Plains Trail newsletter on the website is a freaking genius. I’m assuming a Pulitzer Prize is up and coming.