This month the AERC board of directors approved a trails grant for the Wharton State Forest in New Jersey. The grant is for signs and kiosks. The trail markers will be colored and the kiosks will contain maps and information about the equestrian trails. The Forest has over 120,000 acres with 600 miles of multiuse trials. Initial trail signage will cover about 60 miles of trails.

The Wharton State Forest is the home to two endurance rides, the USA East Cranberry (three-day) and the Mustang Memorial (two-day) rides.

The project was put together by AERC Northeast Regional Director Patti Pizzo and Gilbert Mika, natural resource interpretive specialist with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. I hope this is the beginning of a strong working relationship with the Wharton State Forest. After this project is completed we will be looking at the possibility of bringing water into to the Atsion trailhead area.

Our trail grants are making a difference with our land managers. We are beginning to develop a portfolio of projects with a wide range of impact. ItŐs just the beginning of what we can accomplish when we all work together in trail preservation.

During the convention we had a meeting with folks from the Nevada BLM. Up for discussion was the replacement of trails being lost to off-road vehicle (ORV) damage. The lines of communication are now open and I expect to see the AERC taking a leadership role in working with the BLM/Nevada in the creation of new trails and preservation of existing trails. Connie Creech is our point person in Nevada if you want to join in the effort.

Nevada/BLM is going through the planning process for a significant portion of the property it manages. Being at the table during the planning process is very important for equestrians. Give Connie a call to find out if your area is up for a new management plan. If so, get involved. Your voice in the planning process does make a difference.

We have a new trail advocate in the state of West Virginia. Amanda Stewart is now our voice for trails in that state. I spent a day with Amanda and her gang at the West Virginia State House right after our convention. The West Virginia Horse Council had a day at the capitol with lots of different horse booths set up on the second floor of the rotunda. Amanda set up an AERC booth which had a lot of activity during the day. Senators and Representatives had the opportunity to visit with us, which in turn gave us the opportunity to discuss trails.

I think you will see the AERC playing a leading role with new trailhead and trail development in West Virginia in the near future. Amanda is very enthusiastic and will do a great job in keeping our presence known.

As you can see we have projects coming on line all across the United States. More and more endurance riders are catching a good case of trail fever. Only you can make a difference. It takes all of us out there in equine trail land to make a difference. Attending management meetings with land managers, working on trails, or helping out with funding to our trails fund all make an enormous difference. In short order the AERC will not only be known for its welfare of the horse, but as a leader in trail preservation across the U.S. We take care of our horses and we take care of our trails. Obviously being a part of the AERC can be very rewarding.

Remember, all you need is a horse and a trail.