A three-year initiative aimed at enhancing outdoor access by restoring 10,000 miles of national park trails has been successfully completed in the US. This project sought to encourage outdoor activities and serve the interests of the 330 million visitors who explore national parks annually.
This significant restoration effort was a collaboration between the National Park Foundation, the nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, and Nature Valley, which generously contributed $3 million (€2.46 million) to support this endeavor. The funding facilitated service corps crews in their mission to manage invasive species, clear pathways, repair structures, and create boardwalks, thereby improving accessibility in 19 parks across 16 states.
Key Projects and Impact
Among the notable projects, improvements were made near Bridalveil Fall, a breathtaking site in Yosemite National Park. This initiative aimed not only to enhance visitor experiences but also to protect the natural integrity of the area. Other efforts included rehabilitating picturesque trails and preserving historical locations at Glacier National Park. Here, teams also focused on controlling invasive plants while restoring native flora at Lunch Beach in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Moreover, restoration work at Grand Canyon National Park aimed to improve parts of the Arizona National Scenic Trail. Additionally, five miles of trails, which serve as essential access points to the Appalachian Trail, were revitalized at Shenandoah National Park.
In a commitment to sustaining these efforts, Nature Valley has announced an extension of its partnership for another three years, pledging an additional $3 million to restore access to 10,000 more miles of trails and support outdoor exploration activities. For a comprehensive list of national parks with restored trails, visit the site here.
