If you've never taken part in Connecticut Trails Day Weekend, you're

missing out! On June 7th and 8th, Connecticut will again host the largest National Trails Day (NTD)

celebration in the nation with 258 events in 142 towns throughout the state. The Connecticut Forest

& Park Association (CFPA), the state's first nonprofit conservation organization, has been

coordinating Connecticut's celebration since NTD began in 1993. Connecticut has hosted the most

events since this national celebration was launched. "It is amazing the number of individuals and

groups involved in leading events for this celebration. Hundreds of people from trail maintainers to

educators step up to make this weekend truly special. Many leaders come back year after year

because they simply love sharing the outdoors with others. There is literally something for

everyone!," notes CFPA's Trails Promotion Manager & Engagement Advocate Jennifer Benner.

"Town departments, state parks, land trusts, historic groups, tourism organizations, and local

businesses all recognize that trails are good for everyone. Not only do trails provide the public with

recreational health benefits, but they also provide a venue where we can both relax and learn,"

Benner adds. Events are led by knowledgeable volunteers and include hiking, biking, horseback

riding, running, trail maintenance, kayaking, educational walks, bird watching, letterboxing, and

more. 62 of this year's events will take place on the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail System—the largest

trail network in the state with over 825 miles of trail all maintained by CFPA volunteers

(www.ctwoodlands.org/trails).

The success of Connecticut Trails Day Weekend would not be possible without strong participation by

organizations like the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP),

Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), town agencies, land trusts, outdoors-oriented businesses,

volunteers, CFPA, and many dedicated financial sponsors—including DEEP in partnership with the

Federal Highway Administration, Loureiro Engineering Associates, The Bank of America Charitable

Foundation, Burns & McDonnell, Crosswicks Family Foundation, Lynch Toyota, and United

Technologies Corporation.

Redding's hike is June 7th from 9:15am-12:30pm at the Little River North Trail and Samuel E. Hill Little River Preserve. Full details are on page 71 of the digital booklet.

A full listing of the Connecticut events is published by CFPA in its Connecticut Trails Day Weekend

booklet. Printed booklets are available at town/city halls, select nature centers, state parks, outdoor

retailers, limited public libraries, and at CFPA's office in Rockfall while supplies last. An electronic

version of the booklet can be viewed at www.ctwoodlands.org/CT-TrailsDayWeekend2014.

Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA), founded in 1895, is a nonprofit organization serving

Connecticut to protect forests, parks, walking trails, and open spaces for future generations. CFPA

maintains the 825-mile Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail System, trains educators to utilize forests as a

teaching tool, and is creating healthier communities through its WalkCT initiative. Visit

www.ctwoodlands.org for more information.