2019 ANNUAL REPORT Welcome to The North Country Trail Association WELCOME TO THE North Country Trail Association The North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST) is the longest hiking path in America’s National Trails System stretching more than 4,600 miles across eight states. In 1981, the North Country Trail Association (NCTA) was incorporated as the official ‘friends’ organization of the Trail. Working alongside the National Park Service the Association is the Trail’s steward, providing experiences that celebrate nature, promote physical health and build community connections. Today, we are thousands strong. We are a united community of individuals and partners who embrace the spirit, peace, and beauty found along the Trail. TOGETHER WE... Hike it Build it Love It Photo: John Day MISSION OUR COMMUNITY’S CORE VALUES The North Country Trail Association develops, maintains, • Accountability We take ownership and responsibility for protects and promotes the North Country National Scenic our actions, policies and decisions. We engage in wise Trail as the premier hiking path across the northern tier of stewardship of public and private resources. the United States through a trail-wide coalition of volunteers • Collaboration We value the spirit of cooperation between and partners. staff, volunteers, all partners and landowners and are committed to building and maintaining this culture of VISION collaboration. Service is the backbone of our organization. Our vision for the North Country Trail is that of the premier footpath of national significance, offering a superb experience • Excellence We strive for exceptional quality and safety, for hikers and backpackers in a permanently protected both in the work we do in building and maintaining the Trail corridor, traversing and interpreting the richly diverse and in the experiences of the users of this world-class trail. environmental, cultural, and historic features of the northern • Inclusion We are committed to ensuring that everyone is United States. respected, included and valued for their contributions to our mission and culture. We actively welcome people of different backgrounds, perspectives, thoughts and beliefs. NORTHNORTH COUNTRY COUNTRY TRAIL TRAIL ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION 2019 2019 ANNUAL ANNUAL REPORT REPORT2 2 FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND BOARD PRESIDENT We did it! 2019 brought exciting growth to the Trail and NCTA as we were successful in passing historic legislation that changed the route of the Trail in Minnesota and extended the Trail into Vermont. This created a vital connection important to fulfilling the vision of the National Trails System. We completed many projects on the ground that have been planned for decades. We funded and built large structures and bridges and thousands of volunteers maintained more miles than ever before, improving and expanding access to millions of Americans. In 2019 we funded more than $560,000 in trail projects, NCTA Executive Director equipment and volunteer training, a 161% increase over Andrea Ketchmark and 2018. We trained 100 new Crew Leaders and improved our former Executive Director resources aimed at helping volunteers work with landowners, Bruce Matthews sign a giving our volunteers the skills they need to further develop copy of S.47. the Trail and protect the corridor. Our community also grew as we recognized inclusion as a core value and held hundreds of events to engage new people along the Trail in the work we do. We continued our Hike 100 program to encourage new and seasoned hikers to take on a challenge at their own pace, held our first ever Next Generation Coalition Summit to engage a younger audience in the planning for our future, and we completed our technical map series, now completely free to the public, making them accessible to more people. We continued to expand our network of trail users, partners and supporters which is growing larger every year. The North Country Trail is growing as is our community that supports it and we hope you feel the excitement because YOU made this happen. Thank you! TIM MOWBRAY ANDREA KETCHMARK Board President Executive Director NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL ASSOCIATION 2019 ANNUAL REPORT 3 Protecting the Trail Photo: John Day NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL ASSOCIATION 2019 ANNUAL REPORT 4 The John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (S.47) added 400 miles of existing trail along Minnesota’s North Shore and through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to allow NCTA to work toward closing the 150-mile gap in Minnesota. It also paved the way for the over 40-mile expansion east into the NCT’s newest state, Vermont. North Country Trail Association staff, friends, and the National Park Service celebrate the passage of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act in March 2019. Led by a team made up of staff, board members and The passage of this act helped NCTA make progress on two volunteers representing each of the Trail’s eight states, the goals: First, change the official route of the North Country Advocacy Committee champions our collective voice at National Scenic Trail (NCNST) in northeastern Minnesota – the national level. In 2019, after 25 years of dedication and nicknamed the Arrowhead Reroute – moving it to a more determination, we were able to celebrate two milestone scenic and sustainable location using hundreds of miles victories that will change the Trail forever. With bipartisan of existing trail. Secondly, extend the eastern terminus of support, the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, the NCNST to meet the Long Trail in Vermont, which then and Recreation Act (S.47) became public law. connects with the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. “ Extension of the NCNST into “ After a very long time of advocacy work, “ This is an important step forward Vermont helps support the mission it’s exciting to now be doing the actual for the North Country Trail, of the Green Mountain Club (GMC) work of implementing the Minnesota Middlebury Area Land Trust (MALT), by making the mountains of Vermont Arrowhead Reroute. The NCTA has and Addison County of Vermont. play a larger role in the life of the hit the ground running: Scouting and We look forward to the day when a people. Bringing the NCNST to VT flagging new Trail routes southwest of National Scenic Trail shares a path expands the long distance hiking Grand Rapids; recruiting volunteers in with our local Emerald Necklace, the opportunities, connecting local trail the Remer-Grand Rapids and Ely areas; Trail Around Middlebury.” networks, and contributing to the and working with partners like the — JAMIE MONTAGUE state’s recreation-based economy.” Superior National Forest and Minnesota Executive Director for MALT DNR to develop a proposed route from — MIKE DEBONIS the Kekekabic Trail into Ely. We’re also Executive Director of the continuing to support the Kekekabic Trail Green Mountain Club Chapter, Border Route Trail Association, and Superior Hiking Trail Association as they continue their amazing work on their existing trails and sections of the NCT.” — MATTHEW DAVIS NCTA Regional Trail Coordinator ND and MN NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL ASSOCIATION 2019 ANNUAL REPORT 5 Building and Maintaining the Trail NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL ASSOCIATION 2019 ANNUAL REPORT 6 Did you know the North Country Trail is the longest National Scenic Trail in America, with 3,147 of the 4,600 miles being off-road Trail? This hasn’t always been the case. The Trail we know today was built one project at a time. From the North Dakota prairies to New York and Vermont Adirondack Mountains, our Trail’s work never rests. Getting Things Done in 2019! MICHIGAN WISCONSIN For years, the Peter Wolfe Chapter worked to save the popular Characterized as the land of waterfalls and rock outcrops, the O Kun de Kun Falls section of Trail and a nearby suspension Wisconsin Roving Trail Crew and Heritage Chapter received bridge over the Baltimore River. The first task was finding a several field grants in 2018/2019 to complete a three-mile reroute that would keep the Trail at a 12% grade or less. There Trail segment adjacent to the beautiful Potato River. Field was also the matter of getting wheelbarrow loads of gravel to Grants underwrote the costs for lumber and hardware needed the remote and often inaccessible slippery clay trail sections. to complete 344 linear feet of puncheon and five bridges Finally as a result of a united determination, in 2019, a grand between Upson Lake and Foster Falls. The Rovers Crew ribbon cutting celebration was shared with local, state and helped the Chapter build 18 structures in all. Special thanks to national government agencies, media, and the people and AmeriCorps and WisCorps for their assistance in getting things partners who unselfishly gave their energy and support to done. Now hikers can have safe passage as they explore the this maintenance project. Funding was made possible in part ancient Penokee Mountain Range filled with expansive vistas through grants from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust and lush walls of lichens, mosses, and small ferns. Field Fund, the Iron Belle Trail Program, the National Forest Services Grants are supported annually by donor contributions and are Challenge Grant Program, the National Park Service and the available to NCTA Chapters and Affiliates four times a year. Ottawa National Forest. These 2019 highlights are only a small representation of the NORTH DAKOTA tireless work given day in and day out by NCTA Chapters, staff Inside the Western Terminus rests some of the newest NCNST and volunteers. These statistics are more than just numbers, miles, including a reroute that showcases big skies, superb they are results that came from thoughtful planning, innovative birding and breathtaking sunsets over the majestic prairie collaborations and a united vision to make every experience wetlands and grasslands found within the nearly 15,000-acre along the Trail a memorable one.