COMMA - NC | YEAR OF THE TRAIL | 2023

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401 S. College St.
Morganton
North Carolina
28655

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Last week was the Annual "Take A Child Outside Wee

Last week was the Annual "Take A Child Outside Week," but nature can serve as the perfect classroom year-round! 🌿

Inspired by Richard Louv’s "Last Child in the Woods," The NC Museum of Natural Sciences is all about reconnecting kids with the great outdoors and coordinates outdoor opportunities year-round through the downtown location, at Prairie Ridge Ecostation and NCMNS at Whiteville.

By promoting free play, exploring outdoor locations, and enjoying simple activities, we can foster a lifelong love for nature.

Benefits of outdoor adventures? Enhanced creativity, improved physical health, and a deeper appreciation for our natural world. Visit the link under our bio to explore the NC Museum of @naturalsciences resources, including where to go outside, what to wear, what to take, and tips for staying safe on the trail. 🌳

Photos by @catawbacountyparks

#TakeAChildOutside #NatureLovers #greattrailsnc #yearofthetrail #greattrailsstate #northcarolina

🏞️ Embracing the Trails, Triumphs, and Teachi

🏞️ Embracing the Trails, Triumphs, and Teaching Moments 📚✨ Meet Benjy “Doc” Brown, the North Carolina adventurer who conquered the 1,175-mile Mountains-to-Sea Trail piece by piece, proving that setting goals and pursuing your passion can lead to unforgettable experiences. 🌄 From hiking to paddling, his journey was a testament to perseverance and the beauty of our own backyard. 🚶‍♂️🚣‍♂️

Join us as we dive into his inspiring adventure! Read all about it in our latest blog post, linked under our bio.

Photos by @coffee_beans_737

#MountainsToSeaTrail #AdventureAwaits #NCExplorer #greattrailsnc #yearofthetrail #greattrailsstate #northcarolina

Last Friday, over 80 people from near and far join

Last Friday, over 80 people from near and far joined us at Jockey’s Ridge State Park (Segment 18) for the unveiling of our new eastern terminus monument!

🎀 Many of our staff were on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony, along with representatives from Jockey’s Ridge State Park, NC State Parks, Dare County Board of Commissioners, Friends of Jockey’s Ridge, Roanoke Island Woman’s Club, Outer Banks Woman’s Club, and State Senator Norm Sanderson.🎀

Congratulations to our resident landscape architect, Ben Jones, as well as all of the volunteers that helped bring Ben’s design and vision to life! This newly built monument proudly welcomes hikers as they begin or end their journey along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

This project was made possible through the Complete the Trails Program, an unprecedented investment in trails by the state. 🙌

Are you planning a trip to the Outer Banks to check out the new monument yet?

#mountainstoseatrail #MSTbirthday #jockeysridgestatepark #yearofthetrail #greattrailsNC

Images via FMST staff
Reposted from @mountainstoseatrail

Exploring the Heart of Valdese: Year of the Trail

Exploring the Heart of Valdese: Year of the Trail teams up with the Town of Valdese to capture the essence of Valdese Lakeside Park through the voices of its community. 🌳💬

Stay tuned for more Reels to come!

#ValdeseLakesidePark #CommunityVoices #YearOfTheTrail #YOTT #GreatTrailsNC #NCTrails #Valdese #ValdeseNC

Put on your party pants because it's time to celeb

After months of dedication and substantial investm

After months of dedication and substantial investments, Lake Crabtree Park in Cary has undergone a remarkable transformation, now offering mountain biking trails accessible to riders of all abilities. 🚵‍♂️💫

Brian Parks, a seasoned mountain biker, expressed the joy of witnessing his children, including his daughter Audrey, enjoy the trails together. This achievement was made possible by Wes Hall, CEO of North Carolina Adaptive Sports (NCAS), along with 67 volunteers dedicating 487 hours and nearly $7,000 in supplies over the past year.

Supported by sponsors and Wake County Parks, the initiative aimed to enhance trail accessibility by widening bridges and removing tight turns, ensuring everyone can enjoy the thrill of nature on two wheels. NCAS is now fundraising to expand their adaptive bike fleet, furthering their mission of making outdoor adventure inclusive for all. Their next goal is to improve accessibility at Harris Lake's mountain biking trails, setting a precedent for an inclusive outdoor experience for the entire community. 🌲🚴‍♀️💚

Read the full article on WRAL News by following the link under our bio.

#InclusiveOutdoors #Trailblazers #greattrailsnc #yearofthetrail #greattrailsstate #northcarolina

The 20th Annual Eden River Fest was a success! 🚣‍♂️

This festival isn't just about fun and festivities; it's a tribute to the incredible beauty and importance of our local rivers. 🌊🌲 One of the activities that festival-goers participated in was painting a rain barrel that will be raffled off at DRBA's Forest School, a mini environmental education program for young children between the ages of 3-6 and their parents to get outdoors and spend time in nature together.

Photos by Dan River Basin Association @danriverbasin

#EdenRiverFest #WorldRiversDay #DanRiverBasin #RiverCelebration #greattrailsnc #yearofthetrail #greattrailsstate #northcarolina

Today, on World Rivers Day, we turn our hearts to

Today, on World Rivers Day, we turn our hearts to the flowing waterways that carve their paths through North Carolina's stunning landscapes. 🌲🚣‍♀️

Our rivers are more than just bodies of water; they are the lifeblood of our ecosystems, the playgrounds for outdoor enthusiasts, and the source of countless memories. 🌅💧

North Carolina boasts a tapestry of rivers, from the powerful rapids of the French Broad to the tranquil meanders of the Neuse. They provide us with drinking water, recreational opportunities, and habitat for diverse wildlife. 🦆🌊

On this special day, let's pledge to be responsible stewards of our rivers. Together, we can keep them clean, protect their ecosystems, and ensure they remain a source of wonder for generations to come. 🌎🌿

#WorldRiversDay #NorthCarolinaRivers #RiverLovers #YOTT #GreatTrailsNC #GreatTrailsState 🌊🌲

10 of North Carolina's top State Parks and Nationa

10 of North Carolina's top State Parks and National Forests for #NationalPublicLandsDay - Which one is your favorite? 🌿🏞️

1. Umstead State Park (Central NC): Located near Raleigh, it offers a network of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Photo: Pott's Branch Trail

2. Eno River State Park (Central NC): Known for its scenic river, this park has many miles of hiking trails.
Photo: Cox Mountain Trail

3. Crowders Mountain State Park (Central NC): Offers challenging hikes with rewarding views of the surrounding area.
Photo: Pinnacle Peak

4. Hanging Rock State Park (Piedmont NC): Known for its unique rock formations and extensive trail system.
Photo: Hanging Rock Trail

5. Morrow Mountain State Park (Piedmont NC): Offers hiking trails with views of Lake Tillery.
Photo: Lake Tillery

6. Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Eastern NC): Features coastal trails and stunning beach landscapes.
Photo: Bodie Island Lighthouse

7. Croatan National Forest (Eastern NC): Offers hiking trails and access to the coast.
Photo: Cedar Point Recreation Area

8. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Western NC): Offers a vast network of trails, including the famous Appalachian Trail.
Photo: Clingsman Dome

9. Pisgah National Forest (Western NC): Known for its waterfalls, this forest has extensive hiking and biking trails.
Photo: Pilot Rock Trail

10. DuPont State Recreational Forest (Western NC): Known for its waterfalls and numerous trails for hikers and mountain bikers.
Photo: Triple Falls

Comment your favorite below ⬇️

#greattrailsnc #yearofthetrail #greattrailsstate #northcarolina

🌲🏞️ Embrace the Beauty of North Carolina's

🌲🏞️ Embrace the Beauty of North Carolina's Public Lands & Trails! 🌄🚶‍♀️

From the rolling peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the serene shores of the Outer Banks, North Carolina's public lands and trails are a treasure waiting to be explored. 🌊⛰️ Today, we celebrate the boundless opportunities these lands and trails offer - for adventure, reflection, and connection with nature. 🚴‍♂️

Whether you're hiking through lush forests, mountain biking along rugged trails, or simply soaking in the majestic views, our public lands and trails invite you to be a part of their story. 📖💚

Let's honor our responsibility as stewards, ensuring these lands and trails remain vibrant and accessible for generations to come. 🌳🌎

Share your favorite North Carolina trail adventure, and let's inspire others to discover the magic of our state's natural treasures one trail at a time!

📸🌅 #ExploreNC #PublicLandsProud #TrailBlazers #NCAdventures #YOTT #GreatTrailsNC #GreatTrailsState #YearOfTheTrail 🌿🌄🥾

In 1994, @mypubliclands organized a "Public Lands

In 1994, @mypubliclands organized a "Public Lands Appreciation Day" at two public land sites in California and Nevada. The advertisement for the event noted: "Our nation's public lands are a gold mine in which all Americans can stake a claim. But without the investment of volunteers, they're in danger of going broke."

On Saturday, we will be celebrating the 30th iteration of annual event, now known as National Public Lands Day! 🌳🌿😍 @neefusa_org coordinates the event, which has become the largest single-day volunteer event dedicated to our public lands, celebrated by agencies at the federal, state, and local level.

We value our volunteers as good as gold. Without the generosity of North Carolina residents and visitors — donating their time, labor, money, and other resources — many of our state parks would not exist today.

If you don't have plans yet this weekend, consider participating in one of our volunteer events on this special day! We also have Nature Day at South Mountains, the Mountain Monarch Festival at Gorges, and a celebration of the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail at Chimney Rock. The full list of events is at greatrrailsnc.com

If you can't make it to one of our parks this weekend, check out our Volunteer page for other opportunities, including how to join the @ncfsp or your local state park's friends group: ncparks.gov/volunteer.

And for #TBT, enjoy these images of our volunteers through the years from our archives:
1. Volunteers doing trailwork at William B. Umstead State Park, c. 1990 ⚒️
2. Volunteers participating in beach cleanup at Bear Island at Hammocks Beach State Park, c. 1980 🗑️
3. Volunteers participating in the Big Sweep at Lumber River State Park, c. 1995 🛶
4. Student volunteers working on building project at Kerr Lake State Recreation Area, c. 1989 ⚒️

Reposted from @ncstateparks

🍂 Embracing the Magic of Autumn 🍁 As the Au

🍂 Embracing the Magic of Autumn 🍁

As the Autumnal Equinox graces North Carolina, nature transforms into a breathtaking tapestry of colors. It's the perfect time to hit the trails and immerse yourself in the vibrant beauty that blankets our state! 🚶‍♀️🌳

From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the coastal trails, North Carolina's outdoors come alive with a symphony of reds, oranges, and yellows. 🌄🍂

Join us in celebrating this equinox by exploring the trails, breathing in the crisp air, and savoring the moments of serenity only nature can provide. 🌞🍁

What's your favorite North Carolina trail for embracing autumn's splendor? Share your recommendations below! 👇🏞️

#AutumnEquinox #NorthCarolinaTrails #NatureLovers #FallColors #GreatTrailsNC #YOTT #yearofthetrail

THE OUTDOOR RECREATION ECONOMY GENERATES $11.8 BILLION IN
ANNUAL REVENUE IN NORTH CAROLINA & 130,000 jobs

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The Great Trails State Coalition is a broad-based group of diverse organizations, agencies, and supporters advocating for increased state investment in all types of trails statewide: hiking, paddle, mountain biking, equestrian, and paved.

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