2. Introduction/Goals of presentation What is the North Country Trail? What is a Trail Town? What are our next steps?

3. The North Country National Scenic Trail

4. National Trails System Act Signed Oct. 2, 1968 Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail as the first 14 others were considered for designation NCNST designated March 5, 1980 Today there are 11 National Scenic Trails North Country Trail Appalachian Trail Pacific Crest Trail Continental Divide Ice Age Trail Arizona Trail Pacific Northwest Trail New England Natchez Trace Potomac Heritage Trail Florida Trail

5. Highlights scenic beauty as well as historic and cultural resources and northern communities Designated by congress Built and maintained by volunteers America’s longest hiking trail, 4,600 miles when complete Traverses 160 units of public land Marked by blue blazes  New York  Eastern Terminus: Crown Point  Pennsylvania  Ohio  Michigan  Wisconsin  Minnesota  North Dakota  Western Terminus: Lake Sakakawea

6. National Park Service NCTA Plan the route Developing and protecting the corridor Technical Assistance Certification Organize locally Build Partnerships Mapping Promotion Advocacy The Partnership

7. 7 NCT in Michigan

8. Customize this slide Your Chapter X number of Members X miles Highlight the important features and popular destination points for the trail in your chapter’s area. Including Your Town!

9. Customize this slide Your Chapter Add photos of your chapter activities List your events, accomplishments and where they can go to find more information

10. What is a Trail Town? A Trail Town is a community through which the North Country Trail passes that supports hikers with services, promotes the Trail to its citizens and embraces the Trail as a resource to be protected and celebrated.

11. What is a trail town A trail town is a Relationship between: Community (its resources/amenities/economy) The Trail The NCTA (building/maintaining it and telling its story)

12. Benefits to the North Country Trail Provides hiker re-supply/access/amenities. Grows awareness, making it a resource that is valued by the community. Helps protect the trail by including it in local planning efforts. Benefits to the Town Tourism destination Outdoor activities for residents Improves the health of the environment Recognition for local businesses What are the benefits?

13. How Does It Work? Planning  Includes NCNST in community planning  Non-motorized outdoor recreation brings in $$$  Identifies amenities, attractions, resources of interest to trail users  Identifies NCNST on community maps  Encourages local businesses to include NCNST users in business planning  Adopt NCNST as part of community

14. How does it work? Branding/Marketing/Communications  Tourism and Destination marketing possibilities  Improved signage and interpretation for local areas  Communicating the town is linked to a National Scenic Trail!  Growing local awareness throughout the state and region

15. How Does it Work? Partnering  Opportunities to build events or programs around the Trail.  Outreach events  Hikes  Festivals  Instructional classes on backpacking, snowshoeing, bird watching, etc.  Trail building workshops

16. Local events

17. Marking the trail through Town

18. What’s next Review the Trail Town checklist and let’s get started.