Celebrating National Trails Day with the NextGen Trail Leaders
Trailblazing Future Leaders of 2024's NextGen Trail Crew Honour National Trails Day® Celebration
Join our organization's NextGen Trail Leaders as they bring communities together on the trail, embodying an embodiment of trail stewardship, conservation, equity, and inclusivity. These young leaders turned National Trails Day into a day of fun, exploration, camaraderie, and stewardship on the trails.
Brianna Cunningham: Riverside, CA
In Riverside, CA's Mount Rubidoux, Brianna organized a trail clean-up event. With seven dedicated volunteers, the area came out cleaner than expected, but Brianna was delighted as it hugged her community together and inspired her to do even more. She's planning to team up with the City of Riverside next year and reach out to high schoolers for some community service hours.
Jonathon Flores: Eaton Canyon Falls, Pasadena, CA
As the 32nd Annual National Trails Day approached, excitement was in the air for Jonathon. He wanted to introduce a lesser-known yet beautiful trail to his fellow hikers — Eaton Canyon Falls. Despite a small turnout due to unforeseen circumstances, he shared a day filled with laughter, education, and the celebration of nature with his dedicated group. With around 23 lbs of trash collected along the way, Jonathon was grateful to have the opportunity to be a NextGen Trail Leader and to educate others about local trails.
Natalie Matias: Bay Area
With a focus on engaging the queer community, Natalie facilitated a trail maintenance project and hike along the Bay Trail. By educating participants on watersheds and ensuring a good time was had by all, she aimed to form new connections, foster a love for the outdoors, and elevate next-gen trail leadership.
Blanca Moreno: TBD
With a trail clean-up, group hike, and lunch, Blanca united her community in a memorable and impactful day on the trails. Grateful for the support from our organization and celebrating the importance of trail maintenance, she looks forward to continuing the tradition next year.
The Role of NextGen Trail Leaders
The NextGen Trail Leaders are an essential part of a broader initiative aimed at engaging younger generations and diverse communities in trail leadership and stewardship. This initiative aligns with the core values of National Trails Day, which strives to emphasize the importance of trails and outdoor recreation across the United States.
The success of events organized by NextGen Trail Leaders during National Trails Day can be attributed to factors such as community engagement, fostering diversity and inclusion, nurturing young leaders, and contributing to conservation efforts.
Stay tuned for more events and initiatives aimed at empowering the next generation of trail stewards, ensuring a healthy and vibrant future for our beloved trails!
The NextGen Trail Leaders, embodying trail stewardship, actively engage their local communities in clean-ups and maintenance projects, fostering a sense of camaraderie while promoting a love for the outdoors. For instance, in Riverside, CA, Brianna inspired seven volunteers to clean up Mount Rubidoux, while in Pasadena, CA, Jonathon introduced Eaton Canyon Falls to fellow hikers, simultaneously educating them about local trails and the importance of conservation. Additionally, Natalie intends to promote diversity within the hiking community by engaging the queer community in Bay Area trail maintenance and hikes. The work of the NextGen Trail Leaders supports and strengthens the mission of National Trails Day, which advocates for trail leadership and stewardship as a means of promoting outdoor recreation nationwide.
