RTP and TE Update - August 2006

August 15

Conferences

1. ProWalk/ProBike, Madison WI: September 5-8, 2006
2. Land Preservation for National Scenic and Historic Trails Workshop
3. National Trails Symposium Early Registration Deadline
4. World Mountain Bike Conference Seeking Host
5. Transportation Research Board Urban Streets Symposium Call for Abstracts

Grants and Publications

6. Grant Announcement -- Fish and Wildlife Service Preserve America Grant Program
7. Underground Railroad Bicycle Route Maps Available
8. Mountain Bike DVD Available

1. ProWalk/ProBike, Madison WI, September 5-8, 2006.
   www.bikewalk.org/conference/index.html.

2. Land Preservation for National Scenic and Historic Trails Workshop
   FROM: Kent L. Wimmer, Secretary

   You are invited to join the Partnership for the National Trails System as it holds a Workshop on Land Preservation for National Scenic and Historic Trails on October 11 and 12, 2006. The Workshop will take place at the Nashville Public Library Conference Center in downtown Nashville TN. This workshop is being held immediately preceding the National Land Conservation Conference: Rally 2006 sponsored by the Land Trust Alliance from October 13-15. The National Scenic and Historic Trails workshop will run two full days beginning Wednesday October 11 at 9:00 A.M. and ending at 4:00 P.M. on Thursday the 12th. The Workshop will cover diverse topics, such as:

   • Defining the land/area to be acquired in order to protect the National Scenic and Historic Trail (NSHT) experience and the natural, cultural, and historic resources that provide that experience
   • Identifying the techniques/approaches to use to assemble a NSHT corridor if you don't have eminent domain or lack authorization to use Federal funds to purchase land from willing sellers
   • Identifying how to determine your portfolio of funding sources for NSHT land preservation projects
   • Using funds provided through SAFETEA-LU (the newly authorized five-year Federal transportation program)
   • Working with conservation organizations and land trusts in NSHT land preservation projects, and
   • Managing conservation easements for NSHTs.

   Please register online at: http://www.eventville.com/Catalog/EventRegistration1.asp?EventId=1001818.

3. National Trails Symposium Early Registration Deadline
   National Trails Symposium, Quad Cities IA/IL, October 19-23, 2006. The early registration deadline for the 18th National Trails Symposium is August 31st. See www.americantrails.org/quad/.

4. World Mountain Bike Conference Seeking Host
   The World Mountain Bike Conference is seeking a host for its 2007 event. For information on the 2006 conference, see www.worldmountainbikeconference.com/conferencehome.asp. This conference is held in cooperation with the International Mountain Bicycling Association (www.imba.com).

5. The Transportation Research Board Urban Street Symposium issued a Call for Abstracts
   See www.trb.org/calendar/, scroll to June 2007, and click on 3rd Urban Street Symposium (PDF).

6. Grant Announcement -- Fish and Wildlife Service Preserve America Grant Program
   The National Wildlife Refuge System and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation annouce their Preserve America grant program. Preserve America is a national initiative that directs Federal agencies to account for the economic and educational value of their historic properties (www.preserveamerica.gov). These properties, which encompass historic buildings, archaeological sites, cultural landscapes, and museum collections are integral parts of the habitats contained within Refuges. Understanding their importance will only enhance the capability of the NWRS to conserve all of its resources.

   The grants, which range from $10,000 to $15,000, are competitive and aimed at funding national wildlife refuge educational and interpretive projects that focus on history and historic sites and collections and how they contribute to our conservation and understanding of natural resources.

   Please take a look at the Recent News section of the FWS homepage (www.fws.gov/historicpreservation/) for more information and a link to the RFP.

   Contact
   Eugene Marino, Service Archaeologist
   National Wildlife Refuge System
   Division of Visitor Services and Communications
   4401 N Fairfax Drive
   Arlington VA 22203
   703-358-2173 (phone); 202-253-3876 (mobile); 703-358-2517 (fax)
   eugene_marino@fws.gov

7. Underground Railroad Bicycle Route Maps Available
   Adventure Cycling announced the completion of maps for the southern section of its newest and most unique creation - the Underground Railroad Bicycle Route. See www.adventurecycling.org/sales/20060810ugrr_page.cfm.

8. Mountain Bike DVD Available
   The US Forest Service released a DVD called "Building Mountain Bike Trails: Sustainable Singletrack". See the FHWA RTP Trails Publications Order form: see www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/recreational_trails/publications/.