Hi, friend!
For a lot of years, I’ve taken our natural lands and trails for granted. This year, I’m committed to donating at least $4,000 through The Project across four organizations that are closely connected to some of my favorite hiking destinations - Pine Mountain, Red River Gorge, and Daniel Boone National Forest.
As the year progresses, I’ll be working with these organizations not only to make the contributions, but also to identify matching opportunities to multiply the impact.
Please take a few moments to see the featured four organizations below.
Thanks,
Michael
Kentucky Natural Lands Trust
KNLT has a number of ambitious projects underway. Chief among them, in my mind, is the Pine Mountain Wildlands Corridor. This enormous tract of land spanning more than 100 miles along Kentucky’s southeastern border is coming together year by year through land acquisitions and bequests to protect and preserve the region from development - providing more room for Nature’s creatures to roam while protecting watersheds and viewsheds for all of us to enjoy. [LEARN MORE]
In addition, the Commonwealth’s second longest hiking trail is being cut and blazed as resources allow. The 42-mile section from Breaks to US-119 is complete and ranks as my favorite hiking trail in the state. South of this, the Little Shepherd Trail extends another 38 miles and trail coming over from Cumberland Mountain to the southeast is under construction. These trails are sections of the Great Eastern Trail - and Kentucky’s part is rich with wildlife, history, and tremendous beauty.
To further KNLT’s cause, The Project will donate at least $1,000 this year with the hope that this gift will trigger additional matching donations secured by the organization.
Red River Gorge Trail Crew
Of all the volunteer trail organizations in Kentucky, RRGTC might be the most important. Red River Gorge offers world class hiking and rock climbing with among the highest concentrations of natural arches found anywhere in the world. With wonders aplenty, the area has seen consistent increases in visitation, and last year, a Forest Management Plan update was triggered.
The critically important work of this volunteer group is on display on every mile of every trail. I’ll never forget coming across a crew cutting steps in what was becoming an ever more dangerous spot on Rough Trail a number of years ago. Cutting and maintaining trail are hiking’s hardest labors - and this organization puts in that work every second Saturday of each month.
To give back to this group that has provided so many great experiences for me, my family, and so many others, The Project will donate $1,000 this year.
Pine Mountain Trail Conference
I’ll never forget my first visit to the handiwork of this organization - Pine Mountain State Scenic Trail. It was the Highlands Section, all sun, 96 degrees, stupid humid, and very little water to be found. I fell in love with this trail on that backpacking trip. It. Is. Amazing!
The spine of Pine Mountain is over 125 miles long and this 42 mile section of trail was put together with a lot of work from PMTC. This group has played a key role in the trail’s creation including all the fantastic shelters along the way - delivering the perfect mountain ridge hiking experience.
In coordination with KNLT, the trail conference is working hand in hand as a partner in the Pine Mountain Wildlands Corridor. This year, The Project will become a lifetime member with a $1,000 contribution to their efforts.
Sheltowee Trace Association
Last, but certainly not least, in this year’s giving is the STA. I’ve hiked many sections of Kentucky’s Longest Trail, and this year, I’ll finish it up. The more than 330 mile long trail is a continuing evolution as sections of are moved off of roadways, flood routes are established, and other work including shelter installation and maintenance are undertaken.
Long trails like these take many decades to be completed, and Sheltowee remains a relatively youthful trail, having been established in the mid-1970s. The work of this organization is and will continue to be instrumental in delivering backpacking adventures through the length of Daniel Boone National Forest.
This year, The Project will become a lifetime member of STA and make an additional contribution of $400 to support the continued progression of the Trace’s development.