2022 Congressional Report

2022 CONGRESSIONAL REPORT

CONTINENTAL DIVIDE TRAIL COALITION

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About this Report As a connector of landscapes, communities, and cultures, the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) provides a setting for community members, decision makers, conservationists, outdoor enthusiasts, and everyone connected to the lands and waters of the Divide, to come together to discuss how to steward the vital natural, cultural, and historic resources found across its entirety. With this report, the Continental Divide Trail Coalition hopes to highlight the role of the cooperative stewardship model in the management of the CDT, what we accomplished in 2021, and what we are looking forward to in 2022.

About Hike the Hill Celebrating its 25th year, Hike the Hill® is a joint effort between American Hiking Society and Partnership for the National Trails System to bring together the trails community to advance shared trail priorities with congressional and federal agency leaders including: trails funding, public lands management and conservation, equitable access, and other top priority issues that sustain trails and improve access to public lands.

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INTRO TO CDTC Who We Are The mission of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) is to complete, promote, and protect the CDT. With a growing trail community which includes 19 CDTC Gateway Communities and over 3000 active members, we hope to continue to support the protection and connection of this landscape, preserving the way of life for the communities, wildlife, and plants that call the Rocky Mountain West home.

Who We Work With In 2020, CDTC signed a MOU with USFS, BLM, and NPS establishing the Continental Divide Trail Coalition as the lead private-partner in the stewardship of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. CDTC works in tandem with federal and state agencies, Tribal governments, Gateway Communities, Indigenous communities, local leaders, and volunteers in a cooperative stewardship model to effectively and proactively manage the trail to provide a CDT experience that is open to all, independent of age, experience, or background.

ith ulch w l i ra wen G t g in Clear ers at Bo partn

Where We Work CDTC’s main office is located in Golden, Colorado, but the staff of CDTC are spread across the entirety of the trail, from Las Cruces, New Mexico on the south end to Bigfork, Montana on the north end, and in many other communities in between.

Butte, M Gateway T — the n Commun ewest ity!

Kylie Yang, L Fisher, and CDT staff photo.

OPPOSITE: Amanda Wheelock

Main office

COVER: Matthew Morelli

Remote staff

ers ff ta s C T D C o Colorad office n de l o G e h t at 820 miles of trail in NM

750 miles in CO

510 miles in WY

1020 miles in ID and MT

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History of the CDT

CDT OVERVIEW The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail climbs and descends along the Rocky Mountains from Canada to Mexico, traversing 3,100 miles of the most dramatic and wild lands along the backbone of America. More than just a trail, the Continental Divide is a landscape that connects cultures and communities through the healing properties of the outdoors.

1968

1978

Future of the CDT 2009

Public lands and waters are experiencing transformative changes. While we saw the unprecedented growth in popularity of our parks, trails, and forest over the past decade, at the same time, outdoors space face unprecedented threats from climate change, the disappearance of nature, and inequitable access. To ensure the cooperative stewradship of the CDT remains sustainable and adaptable, CDTC relies on these tenets: • • •

Protection of the CDT: 3100 total miles

58% Other Protected Land

2012

• • •

11% Wilderness Study Area

Completion & Adaptive Stewardship 5% Unprotected Gateway Communities & Partner Engagement Justice Equity, and Accessibility in the CDT Experience

Community & Connections: Cultural & Historic Site Preservation, Bridge Nature Gap, Create Pathways for Future Stewards Sustainable Economic Growth: Strengthen Job Creation, Boost the Local Outdoor Recreation Industry, Support Grassroots Stewardship Public Health: Clean Air, Land, and Water, Aid Community Health, Provide Access to Outdoor Spaces Environmental Preservation: Bolster Biodiversity, Safeguard Migration Corridors, Preserves Natural Resources

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Congress passes the National Parks and Recreation Act, designating the CDT as the third National Scenic Trail and making the Forest Service its lead administering agency.

The USFS amends the CDT Comprehensive Management Plan, providing direction for local management.

The Continental Divide Trail Coalition is founded to complete, promote, and protect the CDT.

26% Wilderness 2020

Holistic Benefits of the CDT •

The National Trails System Act creates a system of National Scenic, Historic, and Recreational Trails.

2021

2022

Passage of the Great American Outdoors Act secures permanent funding for completion of the CDT through the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

The CDT Completion Act is introduced to Congress to prioritize completion of the CDT by 2028.

CDTC celebrates 10-years of working in service of the communities and enthusiasts of the CDT.

Matthew Morelli

CDTC’S FIRST DECADE

In 2022, CDTC is celebrating its 10th anniversary working in service of the communities and enthusiasts of the CDT. As we reflect back on the past 10 years of work, here are the success stories that speak to the progress the trail community has made toward completing, protecting, and promoting the CDT.

NOW

THEN CDTC is founded around a living room table with the 4 Founders, Bryan Martin, Josh Shusko, Kerry Shakarjian, and Teresa Martinez.

The CDT is 68% complete with many sections unmarked.

CDTC maintained a memorandum of understanding with just the U.S. Forest Service.

CDTC’s first field season has 1 projects in Colorado.

CDTC started with crowdsourcing fundraiser, raising $40K with 600 donors.

There was no consistent signing across the CDT, leaving travelers to find their own way on a regular basis.

Silver City, NM becomes the first CDT Gateway Community.

25 hikers attempt to thru-hike the CDT annually, with many section hikers and recreationalists enjoying the CDT in their own backyard.

CDTC Growth

14 full-time CDTC staff are located align the entirety of the trail, with interns, fellows, and seasonal positions supporting ongoing projects.

CDT Completion

The CDT is 95% complete. CDTC participates in standing working groups across the trail on the major gap areas.

Cooperative Management

CDTC holds a memorandum of understanding with USFS, BLM, and NPS recognizing CDTC as the lead private partner in the completion, protection, and promotion of the CDT.

Trail Stewardship Return on Investment

Trail Promotion

Gateway Communities Popularity of the CDT

CDTC had 21 field projects in 2021 across all 5 states.

CDTC’s annual operating income is over $1 million and has launched the first CDT Endowment.

USFS, BLM, CDTC, youth corps, and other stewardship organizations partner to “Blaze the CDT,” marking the trail in its entirety for the first time in 2018.

Butte, MT becomes the 19th (and largest) CDT Gateway Community.

400-600 hikers attempt the thru-hike the CDT annually, with the growing popularity of public lands brings thousands of new recreationists and international travelers to the CDT.

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2021 ROI & VOLUNTEER ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2021 Return on Investment Stability in the Pandemic

The National Trail System is arguably the most successful model of the private-public partnerships in existence today.

In 2021, the CDTC and partners had another record-setting year in their return on investment to the American people. $30M Federal Allocation NSHT’s (14.4 million NPS, 7.9 million USFS, 8 million BLM)

Most successful EOY campaign for a total of $153K, with over 700 individual donations!

$1.69M $253K $168K

$900K Completed multiple highly-engaged online events throughout the course of the year, including Town Halls, Gateway Community Summit, and Virtual Trail Days.

2021 Onthe-ground funding going to partners $900K.

CDTC’s Donors, Members and Corporate Sponsors contributed 41% of the organization’s total income.

CDTC launched the first CDT Endowment and secured an initial account balance of over $10,000 for the long-term protection of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail

2021 USFS CDT Allocation $1.69M (USFS, BLM)

2021 CDT Allocation to Partners $253K.

2021 CDT Allocation to CDTC is $168K.

$1.887M $750K

From the 2021 CDT Allocation to CDTC, 345 volunteers through CDTC and 43 other partner organizations contributed over 39,183 volunteer hours valued at 1.137 Million dollars + $750K (CDTC private funding Match by CDTC = 9:1 Match by Partners/CDTC: 6:1

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CDTC contributed an additional $750k in private funding, alone.

$1.18M

Combined, CDTC and its partners provided over 39k volunteer hours valued at $1.18M.

$168K

Accomplishments of Cooperative Stewardship 2021 Volunteer accomplishments

$1.18M

41,585

value of labor (CDTC and partners)

hours (CDTC and partners)

145

CDTC Programs volunteers

2021 Field Programs By the Numbers

$183K

Value of CDTC Field Program Volunteer labor

13,113

feet of trail reconstructed

45,936 feet of trail corridor cleared

Total Hours of Volunteering per year

40,000

222 drains installed

3,479

20,000

feet of new trail constructed

504

5,000

downed trees removed 2012

2016

On the Ground

Darcy Owens; ABOVE: Oliver Reitz

CDTCs field instructors organized volunteers, trained trail adopters, and led CDT stewardship projects across all 5 CDT states in 2021.

2021

52

cairns or structures built

205K feet scouted

22

markers and signs placed

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Trail Adopter Program Highlights

335 Trail adopters

1374 Total miles of trail adopted

34 New adopters, accounting for…

140 miles of Adopted Trail Work

981

Hours of adopters work, valued at …

Adam Reichert

$27K

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Spotlight on National Public Lands Day In September of 2021, CDTC partnered with the Bureau of Land Management for an event recognizing National Public Lands Day in Cuba, New Mexico. Some volunteers worked on trail maintenance at the San Gregorio Trailhead, while other community members joined a Leave No Trace hike to learn about recreating responsibly. The Cuba Police Department volunteered to grill to celebrate the work of the volunteers.

CDTC partnered with Latino Outdoors on National Public Lands Day.

Laura Flores

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Trail Adopter trainings held in Canjilon Lakes, NM, Pagosa Springs, CO, Pindeale, WY, Anaconda, MT, Lemhi Pass, ID, Cuba, NM

Nate Cooper

57

…new miles of trail

COMPLETION & ADAPTIVE STEWARDSHIP Optimize CDTC’s cooperative management structure alongside agencies and communities to implement a strategy, informed by Indigenous knowledge and the best available science, that takes into account the dynamic nature of public lands stemming from the climate crisis and the changing needs of user engagement.

Completing the CDT Now is the time to complete the CDT. Over the past four decades, since the trail’s creation, federal agencies, nonprofit partners, volunteers, and other members of the trail community have diligently worked to complete the CDT. Currently, there are more than 160 miles of the CDT where those seeking a continuous footpath are diverted onto busy roadways and highways, making for a journey that is not only less safe, but not aligned with the characteristics for which the trail was designated. Of the miles of trail that do exist on trails across public lands, there are 600 miles of trail that need to be relocated to a more optimal location to retain the nature and purposes for which the trail was created, mainly, a nonmotorized, primitive route with scenic ridgeline views along the Divide.

The CDT Completion Act The CDT Completion Act directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Interior to prioritize completion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail in time for the CDT’s 50th anniversary in 2028, by eliminating gaps between sections of the Trail and relocating existing portions of the Trail where necessary to maximize conservation and enjoyment of the Trail corridor. The CDT Completion Act has three main directives:

Matthew Morelli

1

Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to create The Trail Completion Team. The Team will be made up of U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management staff, in coordination with the CDT Administrator.

2

Recognizes the value of cooperative stewardship between federal land managers, states, Tribes, towns, Indigenous communities, volunteers, and others in building and managing the trail.

3

Explicitly states that eminent domain will not be used to complete the CDT.

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Legislative timeline of CDT completion

Why Now? • • •

1978: Congress designates the CDT as a National Scenic Trail

• •

2009: Public Lands Omnibus grants willing-seller authorization to agencies

Honor the diligent work of land managers, agencies, partner organizations, communities, and volunteers have dedicated for decades to complete the trail.

Invest in Gateway Communities, many of which are in economic transitions, by boosting the local outdoor recreation economy.

Provide a safe and accessible experience to CDT travelers and other recreationists to learn, explore, and connect in the outdoors.

Build on the increasing popularity of the CDT in a time when the demand for outdoor spaces is at an all time high.

Connect communities to the land and waters that they depend on to hike, fish, hunt, bike, ski, bird watch, and climb in their own backyard.

CDT Miles by Land Ownership

2020: The Passage of the Great American Outdoors Act secures consistent funding for the Land & Water Conservation Fund

2021: The CDT Completion Act is introduced by Rep. Neguse & original co-sponsor Rep. Fernandez

2170 miles on 20 National Forests

270 miles on 4 National Park Service units

270 miles on non-federal land

390 miles on 13 BLM Field Offices

Adaptive stewardship Completion is Collaborative SUCCESS STORY NACIMIENTO MINE

Mike fuhrmann

The goal of the Nacimiento Mine Reclamation Project is to reclaim a former CERCLA site by creating a diversity of recreation opportunities on the former site while also providing a point of access to the CDT for local and out of town visitors alike.

Girl on a Glide

A working group composed of BLM, USFS, CDTC, and community members from the Step Into Cuba, including one of CDTC’s Trail Adopters from Cuba, Dr. Dick Kozoll. Patrick Petracca, the USFS district ranger, was one of the driving forces behind this project.

Steven McDonald is the Forest Service Engineer managing reclamation of mine who reintroduced the idea of using the site for the CDT location and access. It also helps address other CDT Route locations to connect the new CDT between USFS and BLM lands.

SUCCESS STORY TOGWOTEE PASS, WY Wyoming Pathways, alongside Shoshone National Forest Staff and TPT Trails, worked to build a new section of the CDT near Togowtee Pass west of Dubois, WY. The new 4-mile section of trail provided CDT travelers with a more scenic, natural experience where the trail had previously been on old roads and grazing trails.

A new trailhead at the pass will allow community members and dayhikers to enjoy the alpine CDT experience in their own backyard as well.

Mike Hanson

The Continental Divide Trail is more than just a living museum of American history and wild landscapes, it’s a conduit for local economies in gateway communities along the trail. As an owner of multiple businesses I have seen and felt this impact, and as a fourth-generation Colorado native and outdoor enthusiast, completing the trail cements the importance of preserving this piece of history for future generations.”

— Kevin Webber, Denver, Colorado – CEO of Carboy Winery

The Village of Cuba is the gateway to the CDT for much of northern New Mexico. For decades, a 12-mile gap in the trail north and south of town has impaired access to scenic public lands that surround us. I have been working with land managers, advocates and other partners since 2007 to complete our section of trail, and we have a number elements in place. With passage of H.R. 5118, the Continental Divide Completion Act, we would receive the assistance we need for acquisition of land and construction of new trail to fill the gap. We are just one of many communities along the trail. To support HR 5118 is to support rural America.”

—Dr. Richard Kozoll, Cuba, New Mexico

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Kevin League

In support of completing the CDT

The CDT Completion Act continues to build on the excitement that the CDT has inspired in recreationists, gateway communities, volunteers, partners, and other outdoor enthusiasts who come to the Divide landscape to explore, learn, and heal in nature. Today’s discussion and vote in the House committee reflects the collaborative efforts that have been the bedrock of the stewardship of the CDT for decades. And CDTC looks forward to working with all members of our trail community, including those in Congress, on making completion of the CDT a reality.

—Teresa Martinez, Executive Director of CDTC

GATEWAY COMMUNITY & PARTNER ENGAGEMENT

Gateway Communities Community

Collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders to promote and maximize the enjoyment of the CDT to showcase the benefits of the trail for public health, economic vitality, and environmental sustainability for communities and users all along the Divide.

CDT Gateway Communities are welcoming destinations along the Continental Divide Trail for visitors from around the world. Towns and counties designated as official CDT Gateway Communities are those that CDTC recognizes as friendly to trail users and dedicated to the completion and protection of the trail. We partner with Gateway Communities to give visitors a great experience and to continue our work completing, promoting, and protecting the Continental Divide Trail. From the high desert of New Mexico to the snow covered mountains of Montana and everywhere in between, CDT Gateway Communities span the length of the trail.

Population

Silver City, NM

9,386

Grants, NM

8,968

Cuba, NM

755

Chama, NM

995

Pagosa Springs, CO

2,147

South Fork, CO

349

Lake City, CO

391

Salida, CO

6,373

Leadville/Twin Lakes, CO

10,586

Grand Lake, CO

516

Steamboat Springs, CO

13,764

Encampment & Riverside, WY

462

Rawlins, WY

8,122

Pinedale, WY

1,788

Lemhi County, ID

8,027

Butte, MT

33,964

Anaconda, MT

7,632

Helena, MT

33,124

Lincoln MT

898

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Grand Lake, CO, a CDT Gateway Community

Highlights of the Gateway Community Program •

24 Community Ambassadors reached over 300 people, many of whom had never before stepped foot on the CDT. Ambassadors participated in community events and engaged by tabling, community hikes, and offering other educational opportunities to familiarize folks with the CDT.

•

CDTC hosted the 2nd Annual Gateway Community Summit in October with nearly 50 participants from across the trail. Participants gathered to learn about initiatives happening in other communities along the trail, shared knowledge on engaging with CDT travelers, and envisioned what the future of the Gateway Community program could mean for their town.

•

CDTC continued to engage and excite communities on the completion of the CDT. Staff engaged in community events like Kremmling Days near Muddy Pass, one of the highest priority gap sections of the CDT where there is a 15 mile roadwalk outside of Kremmling and the CDT Gateway Community of Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

Montana Roadtrip In August 2021, CDT staff roadtripped between 4 Montana Gateway Communities.

These events reached over 400 people, and highlighted the priorities for Montana communities including addressing gap areas, revitalizing historic downtowns, and promoting their towns as a CDT destination.

Butte Designation Butte became the 19th and largest Gateway Community on the CDT. Reps from USFS, the Chamber of Commerce, local businesses, and CDT supporters in Butte came out to celebrate the town’s designation.

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Anaconda event Members of the local trails organization, local business owners, and the local development council gave CDT a tour of Anaconda, ending with a community event at Smelter Brewery with over 50 community members.

Helena events CDTC Staff tabled at Helena’s renowned “Alive at Five” event, celebrating Helena’s designation as a Gateway Community in-person, and invited all to attend a CDT Short Film Fest.

Partner & Community Engagement

Gabe Etengoff

Oliver Reitz

Darcy Owens

Working with Partners

Knight Ridge

Clearing downed trees and tread maintenance on Knight Ridge in Colorado with Headwaters Trail Alliance

Artemisia Geyser

Rehabed the trail in Yellowstone National Park with The Venture Out Project

Middle Fork of the Gila

Trail maintenance including tread, corridor marking with New Mexico Volunteers for the Outdoors & Backcountry Horseman

Small Business Report From August to December 2021, CDTC surveyed 136 small business owners in 38 communities located along the Continental Divide Trail to learn more about how the CDT impacts their businesses, the local economy, and their support for public lands.

90% believe protecting, promoting, and enhancing public lands is important to the wellbeing of businesses, jobs, and their community’s economy.

80% have seen growth in business in their community at large due to use of the Continental Divide Trail since 2014

78% believe protecting, promoting, and enhancing the Continental Divide Trail is important to the wellbeing of businesses, jobs, and their community’s economy.

70% support the 30x30 initiative to protect 30% of lands and waters by 2030, a goal aligned with the federal America the Beautiful initiative

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STEWARDSHIP SPOTLIGHT NEW MEXICO STATE LAND OFFICE AND BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Callie Smith

Darcy Owens

CDTC collaborated with the New Mexico State Land Office and Bureau of Land Management in New Mexico to move forward the New Mexico State Lands Right of Way. It is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Youth Trail Stewardship CDTC hosted a series of CDT lessons at Tennessee Pass in collaboration with Rockies Rock Adventure Camp in Leadville, Colorado. During this series, CDTC taught students about the CDT, how to respect and identify wildlife, and all the different ways to explore the trail.

Trail completion efforts in the major gap areas of Mangas Valley, Pie Town to Grants, Cuba, and Muddy Pass, have continued to make progress.

The collaborative, interagency working groups and field scouting by the Trail and Lands Conservation Manager have continued throughout the year. These efforts have added valuable information, regarding many resources and stakeholders, for the Optimal Location Review process and refined potential reroute alignments.

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Andrea Kurth

Cooperative Completion

Latino Conservation Week During Latino Conservation Week, CDTC staff traveled across New Mexico to connect with communities, engage with local stewardship groups, and participate in roundtable discussions on the future of conservation.

JUSTICE, ACCESSIBILITY, & EQUITY IN THE CDT EXPERIENCE Advocate for protections for lands and waters that address the systematic disparity for underrepresented populations and urgently strive to uphold the tenets of environmental justice for a more enjoyable CDT Experience for all, now and for future generations.

Engaging with DOI and USDA on Serving Underserved Communities

A primary purpose for the creation of the National Trail System was to increase the accessibility of our continent’s most treasured places, and as such, it is within our mission as stewards of these resources, to ensure the trail experience and the ability to access it meets the needs our members, recreationists, and communities that we work in service to. USFS recently solicited comments through a partner survey and USDA sought input to Identifying Barriers in Programs and Services; Advancing Racial Justice and Equity and Support for Underserved Communities.

Key Recommendations:

1

To meet communities where they are at.

Instead of stakeholder engagement isolated in major cities or only virtually for a few hours, work to make engagement consistent and meet the needs of the communities instead of vice versa, particularly in consultation with Indigenous communities and other communities of color.

2

Support a budget request increase for USFS-administered trails to adequately fund administration, management, operational and projects needs and diverse engagement.Invest greater resources in staffing for educational and programming positions. Many of our communities have seen staffing reduced at local district offices, particularly in education and programming positions, and this reduced USFS presence and engagement with rural communities that, in the past, had strong relationships with the agency.

3

Developing effective, consistent procedures at the agency and Department levels to promote connectivity in the NTS and protect resources important to locally-led conservation efforts.

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Elevating & Engaging Indigenous Stewardship

This year, the U.S. Forest Service will be supporting a Cultural Assessment Inventory Resource Assistant to conduct an analysis of the cultural resources of the Divide landscape. In partnership with Tribal governments and Indigenous communities, this assessment will help continue to preserve the stories, histories, and connections of Indigenous people who have lived on this land for time immemorial.

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College Fund Intern In 2020, CDTC supported our first intern in partnership with the American Indian College Fund. Nevaeh Marshall, the College Fund intern, developed an independent project to investigate traditional and cultural uses of native plants along the Continental Divide Trail.

Nevaeh Marshall

Protection of Cultural Resources

Seeing the CDT from an Indigenous perspective is incredible. As an Indigenous person, I have a deep appreciation for the land. Hiking on the CDT is a chance for me and other Indigenous people to connect with nature. I believe everything has a spirit or energy.”

—Nevaeh Marshall, College Fund Intern 2021

Corey Torivio

Corey is a Native American from the Pueblo of Acoma, NM, and has a passion for the outdoors, particularly wilderness and desert areas, and has devoted his life to giving Native youth an opportunity to be successful in the ever-changing world. The founder of Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps, he has built a strong foundation that, to this day, continues to change the lives of Native youth.

Corey has been in the preservation and conservation field for more than 20 years, and in his new position, will continue to build relationships and engage with New Mexico Gateway Communities, Indigenous communities, and other stakeholders in the state.

With the Connecting Across the Continent Report: How the CDT Gets Us to 30x30, CDTC highlights the ecological importance of the landscape, the threat that environmental degradation poses for communities, and the opportunities for locally-led initiatives to create climate solutions.

The Challenge

The disappearance of nature, climate change, and the inequitable access to nature are growing threats to the enjoyment of and benefits of a healthy Continental Divide landscape.

The Opportunity:

Connectivity & Adapative Stewardship Preserving the waterways, migration corridors, and home habitats along the CDT corridor and the surrounding landscape is critical in supporting some of the most abundant pockets of biodiversity on the continent.

Legislative Priority The CORE Act

A result of decades of collaboration between diverse stakeholders, the CORE Act would protect special areas in Colorado like the San Juan Mountains, Camp Hale on the Continental Divide, the Thompson Divide, and the Curecanti National Recreation Area.

Closing the Nature Gap CDTC works to elevate the voices of disenfranchised communities so that access to trails, parks, forests, waterways, and other open spaces meet the needs of all community members;

ASK: Co-sponsor the CORE Act

Mike Henrick

Mike Fuhrmann

New Staff Spotlight: Corey Torivio, the New Mexico Regional Representative

Connecting Across the Continent Report

Strategies for Landscape Conservation The land managers and owners along the CDT are as diverse in their conservation goals and strategies as the land itself, which means promoting tried-and-true strategies like the Antiquities Act and National Resource Conservation Service, while championing for Indigenous stewardship of Indngeinous lands and a future with a grassroots community of land and water stewards.

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Bridging the Nature Gap Next100 is a coalition of civil rights, environmental justice, conservation and community-based organizations and individuals across the United States.

CDTC is a founding member and actively involved on national and Colorado Next 100 efforts to establish a just and inclusive approach stewardship and access to our nation’s lands, waters, parks, forests, and trails, with the hope that over the next 100 years, all efforts must be driven by three guiding principles: work reflects the faces of our country, it respects and honors all cultures, and actively engages all people.

• CDTC is supporting work with the US Department of Agriculture and US Forest Service, as well as the Department of Interior to ensure the 2016 Presidential Memorandum on Equity, Justice and Inclusion is full realized and put into action.

• CDTC worked with the Next100 Colorado to establish the Colorado Outdoor Equity Grant Program through the state legislature last year, which to address the barriers many communities face in getting outdoors and is a step toward guaranteeing that all of Colorado’s youth get a chance to learn, explore, and heal in these special places.

Loretta Pineda

Gateway Community Program Manager Andrea Kurth (third left), with supporters of the Colorado Outdoor Equity Grant Program, Gov. Jared Polis (second right) and CO Rep. Leslie Herod (right).

Outdoors Future Initiative CDTC is also working nationally to establish a national outdoor equity fund through participation in the Outdoor F.U.T.U.R.E. initiative to ensure long-term investments in programs to serve all youth with opportunities to explore the great outdoors. On the heels of two major successful outdoor equity grant programs created in the CDT states of New Mexico and Colorado, CDTC is excited to support this coalition to bring the benefits of the outdoors to not just all of the CDT states, but across the entire country.

Monumental SHIFT

CDTC is also part of the “Monumental SHIFT” a coalition rooted in ethnically and racially diverse leadership transforming the traditional creation, conception, funding, and stewardship of national monuments in the United States in order to better represent and honor lands and places sacred to the communities which we belong to. This work is occuring through community-led advocacy, organizing, and storytelling, with our current focus on the Castner Range and Avi Kwa Ame Monument Designations.

L Fisher; OPPOSITE: Mike Fuhrmann

Next100

Helena, MT. has a Trail Rider shuttle that increases equitable community access to local outdoor resources.

Legislative Priorities

Transit to Trails

Outdoors for All

The Transit to Trails Act attempts to bridge the nature gap by prioritizing communities of high need and funding transportation and education services to local, state, and federal public lands and parks. The Act would create a federal grant program that would invest directly in communities.

The Outdoors for All Act will address outdoor recreation deficits by codifying the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership to ensure that, as cities grow and the effects of climate change increase, there will be equitable access to all the benefits of local parks, from job creation to clean air.

ASK: Co-sponsor the Transit to Trail Act (S.1461/H.R.2924)

ASK: Co-sponsor the Outdoors for All Act (S.2887/ H.R.5413)

Recreational Trails Program Created by Congress is 1991, the RTP program is funded through federal gas taxes to fuel nonhighway recreation equipment.

Currently, of the $270+ million that is paid in federal taxes to this fund, onle $84 million of that is shared with other users like bikers, skiers, hikers, and equestrians.

ASK: Support annual funding of the Recreational Trails Program at $150 million (as passed in the INVEST Act) www.continentaldividetrail.org

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2022 CONGRESSIONAL ASKS

Robust Trail Funding

Legislative Priorities

•

Passage of FY22 full year funding to protect $100+ million in trails and trail related funding

•

CDT Completion Act Co-sponsor & Support

•

Dedicated and robust funding in FY23 for all trails, including the National Trails System, across Interior and Related Agencies (Forest Service, NPS, BLM, & FWS)

•

Outdoors to All/Transit to Trails Co-sponsor & Support

•

National Trails Parity Act Co-sponsor & Support

•

National Recreation Trails (through INVEST) Support

•

USDA Forest Service Fund Capital Improvement and Maintenance, Trails budget at $30.51M, including $11.957M for National Scenic and Historic Trails

•

Bureau of Land Management Trails Line Item, including at least $9.63M for National Scenic and Historic Trails

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Mike Fuhrmann; BACK: Matthew Morelli

Explore the CDT! Our biggest ask… explore the CDT! •

National Trails Training Workshop in Albuquerque, NM November 2–4, 2022

•

Volunteer & Education Events on National Trails Day Saturday June 4, 2022

•

Latino Conservation Week events July 16–24, 2022

•

•

CDT Trail Days in Silver City, NM April 22–24, 2022

Volunteer & Education Events on National Public Lands Day Saturday September 24, 2022

•

Celebrating CDTC 10 Year Anniversary on May 21st in: • Helena, MT, • Golden, CO • Santa Fe, NM

•

Gateway Community Summit October 2022

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Gateway Community Events/Initiatives Dates & Times Vary

www.continentaldividetrail.org

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Teresa Martinez Executive Director TMartinez@continentaldividetrail.org 303-996-2759

Lauren Hendricks GIS Program Manager LHendricks@continentaldividetrail.org 218-461-0408

Luke Fisher Trail Policy Program Manager LFisher@continentaldividetrail.org 406-272-6179

Andrea Kurth Gateway Community Program Manager AKurth@continentaldividetrail.org 720-893-2495

Morgan Anderson Director of Field Programs MAnderson@continentaldividetrail.org 513-600-8053

Lauren Murray Director of Development LMurray@continentaldividetrail.org 720-378-0106

Dan Carter Trail and Lands Conservation Manager DCarter@continentaldividetrail.org 575-323-1323

Cornell “Corey” Torivio New Mexico Regional Representative CTorivio@continentaldividetrail.org 505-252-6652

Allie Ghaman Communications Coordinator AGhaman@continentaldividetrail.org 734-277-6540

CDTC General Information Info@continentaldividetrail.org 303-996-2759