0263-GCG-FoothillsConservancy ESG23 12-13 - Flipbook - Page 19
2023 Impact Report
Natural Area and Box Creek Wilderness Area in
McDowell County. This important local funding
“A sustainable trail is a trail that, as a result of
allows FCNC to direct state funding to trail
good design or rehabilitation, is able to endure
building, which is contracted to professional trail
its designed usage and is resistant to the
construction companies.
degradation of normal environmental factors,
The Wolfpen Loop project is an approximately
10-mile loop trail that is part of the WGST and is
located on Bobs Creek State Natural Area and
Box Creek Wilderness Area in McDowell County.
with only minimal effort required to maintain it.”
(Dundas, 2007, West Virginia Trails Conference)
As a trail designer, I strive to create trails that
protect the environment, meet user needs and
The Trillium Fund, Walnut Fund, John and Janet
expectations, and require minimal maintenance.
Garrett Charitable Fund and an anonymous
Legacy trail systems generally feature steep,
fund provided co-investment for the grant
unsustainable grades that are heavily eroded.
from the Community Foundation of Western
Modern trail design has evolved to focus on
North Carolina.
integrating the trail into the landscape with
minimal impact. The projects we are developing
at Foothills Conservancy are multi-generational.
They deserve and require the time it takes to read
the landscape and listen to what it can support
sustainably for years to come.
Shane Prisby, FCNC Trails Program Director
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