Trail Restoration Initiative Commemorates National Trails Day, June 7;
Grant Application Process Now Open, General Public Will Decide Winners
MINNEAPOLIS, June 9 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 150 trail enthusiasts
celebrated the 16th annual National Trails Day, June 7, at Scotts Run
Nature Preserve, Fairfax County, Va., with the launch of the Nature
Valley(R) Save the Trails(TM) grant program. The grant program is
contributing $50,000 to double the size of the American Hiking Society's
National Trails Fund, which provides annual monies for organizations across
the United States to preserve trails. With support from Nature Valley, the
2009 National Trails Fund will award 10 non-profit organizations $5,000 to
restore designated trails in their local communities. Interested parties
can apply for a grant by visiting http://www.wheresyours.com or
http://www.americanhiking.org. Applications are due Aug. 15, 2008; selected
entries will be posted online for general public voting.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to:
http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/naturevalley/33439/
For four consecutive years, Nature Valley's Save the Trails program has
also provided funding for Student Conservation Association trail
preservation efforts. Nature Valley committed an additional $350,000 this
year for a total of $400,000 dedicated towards trail restoration. The
contribution will enable more than 60 students to make the environment a
priority by committing their summer vacations to repair trails in Grand
Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks. In total, Nature Valley
has committed $450,000 to trail restoration this year.
"We're grateful Nature Valley is contributing to the American Hiking
Society's National Trails Fund," said Gregory A. Miller, President for the
American Hiking Society. "Nature Valley's support is not only doubling the
size of the grant program, it's a testament to the company's commitment to
trail conservation and community activism. Together, we are spreading the
message of preserving both trails and the access they provide to our
nation's pristine park lands."
Since its inception in 1998, the National Trails Fund has granted
nearly $340,000 to 89 different trail projects across the United States.
Community preservation efforts include land acquisition, constituency
building campaigns and a variety of trail work projects. With more than
200,000 miles of trails in the United States, the National Trails Fund is
the only national private grants program that helps U.S. trail-maintaining
organizations build and improve hiking trails and galvanize volunteers to
ensure long-term trail sustainability.
"The American Hiking Society is at the forefront of protecting our
nation's trails and the hiking experience," said Tyson Andrus, Nature
Valley marketing. "We're pleased to support an organization with deep roots
in outdoor recreation, advocacy, volunteering and hiking. Together, we're
committed to maintaining nature's playgrounds for generations to come."
Non-profit organizations can apply for a 2009 National Trails Fund
grant by visiting http://www.wheresyours.com or http://www.americanhiking.org. Applicants
are required to upload their written application, and are encouraged to
upload pictures or videos that demonstrate their organizations mission and
work. Applications are due on Aug. 15, 2008. On Sept. 30, 2008, the
American Hiking Society will select the top 20 submissions, based on set
criteria, for voting on http://www.americanhiking.org. The general public will
have the opportunity to vote online for their favorite entry during the
entire month of October. The top 10 entries with the most votes will each
receive $5,000 to repair their respective trails. Nature Valley and the
American Hiking Society will announce winners in April 2009.
To learn more about the Save the Trails grant program or the National
Trails Fund, please visit http:///www.wheresyours.com or
http:///www.americanhiking.org. For more information on Nature Valley,
please visit http://www.naturevalley.com.
About Nature Valley(R)
Nature Valley(R) created the granola bar category in 1975 and brings
great taste to active consumers looking for wholesome snacks. Nature Valley
consists of five great-tasting granola bar lines: Crunchy Granola Bars,
Chewy Trail Mix Bars, Yogurt Granola Bars, Sweet & Salty Nut Granola Bars
and Healthy Heart Chewy Granola Bars. Nature Valley is also the Official
Natural Energy Bar of the PGA TOUR, the United States Ski and Snowboarding
Association, Nature Valley NASTAR, Association of Volleyball Professionals,
Cross County Ski Areas Association, Vail Resorts, Aspen Resorts, Myrtle
Beach Golf Holiday and the Warren Miller Film Tour. In addition, Nature
Valley is a sponsor of the Student Conservation Association and the Nature
Valley Grand Prix.
About American Hiking Society
Founded in 1976, American Hiking Society is the only national,
recreation-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and
protecting America's hiking trails, their surrounding natural areas and the
hiking experience. To learn more about American Hiking Society and its
mission and programs, visit http://www.AmericanHiking.org or call (301) 565-6704.
*Nature Valley(R) is a registered trademark of General Mills, Inc.
SOURCE Nature Valley
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Related links:
http://www.naturevalley.com
http://www.americanhiking.org http://www.wheresyours.com
CONTACT:
Mary Jo Exley, +1-612-455-1776,
mjexley@psbpr.com, or Nick Banovetz, +1-612-455-1705,
nbanovetz@psbpr.com, both of Padilla Speer Beardsley Inc.; or
Tara Johnson of General Mills, +1-763-764-4069,
tara.johnson@genmills.com
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