The American Hiking Society is a
Maryland
Maryland ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean to ...
-based
non-profit
A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...
dedicated to preserving
trail
A trail, also known as a path or track, is an unpaved lane or small road usually passing through a natural area. In the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, a path or footpath is the preferred term for a pedestrian or hiking trail. ...
s, the areas that surround them and the hiking experience. It was founded in 1976.
Programs
The American Hiking Society has three main avenues of action:
*Volunteerism and Outreach including Volunteer Vacations, which began in 1978
Vacations blend public service, hiking
/ref> to mobilize volunteers to work on trail maintenance, and National Trails Day, which is held the first Saturday every June to spread awareness and celebrate hiking.
*Policy and Advocacy: working with Congress
A congress is a formal meeting of the representatives of different countries, constituent states, organizations, trade unions, political parties, or other groups. The term originated in Late Middle English to denote an encounter (meeting of ...
to develop hiker-friendly legislation
Legislation is the process or result of enrolling, enacting, or promulgating laws by a legislature, parliament, or analogous governing body. Before an item of legislation becomes law it may be known as a bill, and may be broadly referred to ...
and various federal agencies on implementation.
*Trail grants and assistance: the Society provides grants to local organizations for building and maintaining trails, providing nearly $50,000 of funding in 2007.[Annual Report 2007](_blank)
/ref> Also, this organization heads up the Alliance of Hiking Organizations, a network of hiking and trail clubs from all over the country.
References
External links
Official website
See also
* Leave No Trace
*National Trails System
The National Trails System is a series of trails in the United States designated "to promote the preservation of, public access to, travel within, and enjoyment and appreciation of the open-air, outdoor areas and historic resources of the Nati ...
{{Authority control
Hiking organizations in the United States
Environmental organizations based in Maryland
1976 establishments in Maryland