SEAtrails

2009 Grant recipients announced

2009-04-08T08:39:00.001-08:00

In early 2009, SEAtrails announced the awards for its second round of community trails grants. SEAtrails first round of grants in 2004 was a huge success and awarded more than $119,000 in grants to 10 communities and helped to establish the organization as a viable contributing entity in the region. In 2009 SEAtrails awarded nearly $245,000 with an estimated $260,000 in matching funds and in-kind contributions to 12 trails spread over 9 communities.

SEAtrails continues to be a strong coalition helping communities secure funding, provide monitoring of trails and ensure the trail-using public of a high quality trail experience.

2009 SEAtrails Grant Recipients
1. Battery Point Trail: Haines, $15,100
2. Ripinsky Trail: Haines, $18,260
3. Upper Dewey Lake Trail Restoration phase 2: Skagway, $18,665
4. Skyline Trail: Skagway, $17,000
5. Rainbird Trail: Ketchikan, $15,000
6. Point Higgins Trail Extension: Ketchikan, $10,444
7. Harris River Trail: Hollis, $10,000
8. Forest & Muskeg Signage: Sitka, $16,500
9. City Creek Trail: Petersburg, $26,750
10. Nagoonberry Loop Trail: Gustavus, $36,266
11. Hut-to-Hut Vocational Training Project: POW, $43,756
12. Grassy Flats Trail: Coffman Cove, $17,000

Total amount awarded $244,741.63

SEAtrails featured in Capital City Weekly article

2009-04-01T10:27:00.003-08:00

Amber Guy and Davey Lubin were interviewed for an article by the Capital City Weekly. The cover story for the week, this bit of press was great for keeping SEAtrails in the minds of residents. Read the full story here.

Board Member Openings

2009-03-13T10:29:00.001-08:00

SEAtrails currently has two open Board member positions in Southeast Alaska. Interested candidates should submit their letters of interest and a resume to vista@seatrails.org or call the SEAtrails Coordinator Jesse Donner at 907-723-7263 for more information.

Kiosk Development Project

2009-03-13T10:28:00.000-08:00

SEAtrails is accepting letters of interest for its upcoming Kiosk Development Project. 10-15 kiosk kits will be designed and transported to interested SEAtrails communities. The two sided covered structure will incorporate regional and local promotional materials, community attractions, businesses, trails, heritage sites, etc.. Interested communities should submit letters of interest including a designated
central site location, community partners, and a maintenance plan.

If you are interested in requesting more information please contact the
SEAtrails Coordinator Jesse Donner at 907-723-7263 or vista@seatrails.org

2009 Seattle International Bicycle EXPO

2009-03-13T10:27:00.001-08:00

SEAtrails, in participation with the AMHS will be at this years Seattle Bicycle EXPO March 14th – 15th at Magnuson Park, Hangar 30 Seattle, WA. Come down, bring your bike, and stop by our booth. Http://www.cascade.org/EandR/expo/index.cfm

SEAtrails featured on Alaska HDTV podcast

2009-02-19T08:46:00.003-09:00

SEAtrails Chair Ryan McFarland was interviewed by Alaska HDTV while they were in Southeast Alaska. Check out the program that they put together about LeConte Glacier and SEAtrails.

SEAtrails "success story" to present at 2009 Alaska Trails Conference

2008-12-11T17:57:00.003-09:00

The 2009 Statewide Trails Conference Steering Committee has selected SEAtrails as an Alaskan trail "success story." Come see SEatrails representatives speaking at The Hilton Hotel in Downtown Anchorage Wednesday, April 22nd from 10am-12pm at the 2009 ARPA Annual Conference.

Grants deadline extended

2008-12-01T16:00:00.002-09:00

We've extended the grant deadline until December 15th. Please have your applications postmarked by or emailed to us by that date.

New round of grants announced

2008-09-17T09:02:00.003-08:00

Southeast Alaska Trail System (SEAtrails Inc.) today invited grant applications for trail and trail-related projects in Southeast Alaska.

"We plan to address on-the-ground trail projects and signage with our second round of trail grants," says Ryan McFarland, SEAtrails board chair. "We will award grants based on how closely the project aligns with the SEAtrails Trails and Transportation Master Plan, the SEAtrails Capital Improvement Plan and other criteria." PDFs of both plans and the criteria list are posted on the SEAtrails website, www.seatrails.org. Grant recipients will operate under a reimbursable agreement in partnership with the Organized Village of Kasaan.

The application deadline is December 1st 2008.

Application forms are available online at www.seatrails.org in the grants area or by contacting Jesse Donner, SEAtrails coordinator, at vista@seatrails.org, 907.747.4237.

SEAtrails collaborates with organizations, groups and agencies to attract independent travelers, ecotourists and other visitors to Southeast Alaska. SEAtrails works with Alaska’s Marine Highway System and the Inter-Island Ferry Authority (IFA) to promote this dependable and enjoyable mode of travel between communities throughout the region.

The 19 SEAtrails member communities include Angoon, Coffman Cove, Craig, Gustavus, Haines, Hoonah, Hydaburg, Juneau, Kake, Ketchikan, Naukati, Pelican, Petersburg, Sitka, Skagway, Thorne Bay, Whale Pass, Wrangell and Yakutat. SEAtrails is a 501(c)3 non-profit run by a nine-member volunteer board spread throughout Southeast Alaska.

SEAtrails Welcomes New AmeriCorps*VISTA Volunteer

2008-08-19T15:26:00.005-08:00

DOUGLAS, AK -- August 18, 2008 -- Southeast Alaska Trail System
(SEAtrails Inc.) announced today that Jesse Donner has been selected as
the new AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteer serving as the SEAtrails Coordinator.

"I am a native of the Pacific Northwest and spend my time between urban
and outdoor activities including road biking, tennis, golf, backpacking
and my family's farm in Kalama, Washington," says Donner. "It is my hope
to combine my personal and professional backgrounds over the next year to
the benefit of the SEAtrails mission and the betterment of the Southeast
Alaskan region and its communities." Donner is relocating to Sitka from
Kalama, Washington and arrives August 25.

"Jesse is an avid backpacker and brings a strong background in economic
development to our organization," says Ryan "Zieak" McFarland, SEAtrails
board chair. "He will be working on ongoing organizational development for
SEAtrails and is the primary point of contact for our second round of
trail grants we will be awarding this year."

SEAtrails collaborates with organizations, groups and agencies including
the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Southeast Conference, Alaska's Marine Highway System and the Inter-Island Ferry Authority (IFA) to attract independent travelers, ecotourists and
other visitors to Southeast Alaska.

In addition, SEAtrails works with 19 member communities including Angoon,
Coffman Cove, Craig, Gustavus, Haines, Hoonah, Hydaburg, Juneau, Kake,
Ketchikan, Naukati, Pelican, Petersburg, Sitka, Skagway, Thorne Bay, Whale
Pass, Wrangell and Yakutat. SEAtrails is a 501(c)3 non-profit run by a
nine-member volunteer board spread throughout Southeast Alaska.
For more information, visit the SEAtrails web site at www.seatrails.org.

Business and Marketing Plan complete

2008-08-13T14:40:00.002-08:00

SEAtrails worked with the McDowell Group to create a Business and Marketing Plan for SEAtrails Part 1 [and Part 2]. This plan outlines future actions for SEAtrails to use to become a sustainable organization poised to meet the mission statement.

Jesse Donner becomes SEAtrails Vista

2008-08-13T13:58:00.003-08:00

Jesse Donner has been selected as the new AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteer serving as the SEAtrails Coordinator.

"I am a native of the Pacific Northwest and spend my time between urban and outdoor activities including road biking, tennis, golf, backpacking and my family's farm in Kalama, Washington," says Donner. "It is my hope to combine my personal and professional backgrounds over the next year to the benefit of the SEAtrails mission and the betterment of the Southeast Alaskan region and its communities." Donner is relocating to Sitka from Kalama, Washington and arrives the week of August 25.

"Jesse is an avid backpacker and brings a strong background in economic development to our organization," says Ryan "Zieak" McFarland, SEAtrails board chair. "He will be working on ongoing organizational development for SEAtrails and is the primary point of contact for our second round of trail grants we will be awarding this year."

SEAtrails is hiring

2008-06-27T12:51:00.000-08:00

SEAtrails is seeking a Vista volunteer. Benefits include a living allowance, yearly stipend or educational award and free housing. Find out more about the position.

SEAtrails annual meeting

2008-04-08T10:59:00.002-08:00

On Tuesday, April 15th at 6 PM the SEAtrails board will conduct the annual meeting. The public is welcome to participate. Contact vista@seatrails.org to find the location for the teleconference call-in from your community.

Scenic Trails Workshop

2008-02-28T15:47:00.001-09:00

Preliminarily planned for September or October, 2008. The planning committee for this workshop has not chosen a date or location for it, yet. However, based upon the Scenic Trails Caucus during the recent 11th Trails Conference in Duluth, they plan to focus the workshop on Communications,
Outreach, and Volunteer Recruitment and Retention. Watch for notification of an on-line survey that you can use to help shape the details of this workshop.

Historic Trails Workshop

2008-02-28T15:44:00.003-09:00

This interactive workshop will focus on developing and implementing a "Preservation Strategy for National Historic Trails" both for individual trails and for the system of trails. The Historic Trails Workshop will be May 8 - 11, 2008 and held at the Bureau of Land Management's Training Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

National Trails Symposium

2008-02-28T15:41:00.002-09:00

The American Trails biennial trails symposium will focus on the theme: "Innovative Trails: Transforming the American Way of Life" and will also celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the National Trails System. The National Trails Symposium will be held in Little Rock, Arkansas November 15 - 18th and the Trail of Tears Association will be helping to host it.

SEAtrails Business and Marketing Plan Draft Available Online

2007-11-27T16:41:00.000-09:00

Southeast Alaska Trail System (SEAtrails Inc.) announces the release of a Draft Business and Marketing Plan. The Plan will help guide SEAtrails in their efforts to establish and promote a region-wide trail system that stimulates economic development, enhances quality of life, and improves transportation.

"This plan is what SEAtrails needs to move forward to the next level," said Ron Crenshaw, SEAtrails board chair. "It provides strategies to help our organization establish and strengthen partnerships, achieve sustainability, and ultimately fulfill the SEAtrails mission." Further information on SEAtrails can be found on the website: http://www.seatrails.org/.

The State of Alaska contracted with the McDowell Group to develop the plan on behalf of SEAtrails. Funding came largely from a 2004 appropriation from Senator Ted Stevens for planning and on-the-ground trail improvements. "The plan includes supporting research on Southeast visitors, similar long-distance trail systems, and website marketing," said Odin Brudie, a tourism planner with the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. "This research will be useful for any travel marketer in SEAtrails communities, particularly those focused on the independent market."

The public is invited to provide comments on the draft plan through December 21, 2007. The document is available online at www.commerce.state.ak.us/oed/.

Comments or questions can be directed to Odin Brudie, Office of Economic Development: (907) 465-5466; odin.brudie@alaska.gov; P.O. Box 110804, Juneau, AK 99811-0804.

Download the PDF.

Land and Water Conservation Fund applications accepted

2007-10-24T10:52:00.000-08:00

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation announced that FY'08 applications are being accepted for projects.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) can be used to provide partial funding for acquisition or development of outdoor recreation land or facilities. This grant can provide up to 50% in matching funds for a project. Only state, regional or local governments are eligible and grant applications need to range from $100,000 to $500,000.

Applications are due on Tuesday, January 15, 2008. Further information is available at the Alaska LWCF grant program page.

Board members conclude Sitka meeting with a short hike.

2007-10-23T10:40:00.000-08:00

Ron Crenshaw, the President of the Board of Directors of SEAtrails checks out the dock on Heart Lake while on a hike after the board meeting in Sitka.

Public invited to SEAtrails board meeting

2007-10-11T16:16:00.000-08:00

The public is invited to the SEAtrails (Southeast Alaska Trail System) board of directors meeting in Sitka at the Centennial Building, Rousseau Room. The meeting will be held on October 21 and 22. The SEAtrails board will be meeting with the McDowell Group to continue work on the business and marketing plan for the system. For more information, contact: Karen Smith, SEAtrails Coordinator, 907-747-4237. Agenda in .PDF

New grant press release

2007-09-19T08:55:00.000-08:00

PRESS RELEASE
DOUGLAS, AK

Southeast Alaska Trail System (SEAtrails) announced today that additional grant funds will soon be available for use in funding trails and trail-related projects in Southeast Alaska.

"These grants are all about improving and promoting a network of public trails that are easily identified through signage, maps, user guides and common services," says Ron Crenshaw, SEAtrails board chair. "In 2004 we awarded more than $119,000 in grants to 10 communities. We anticipate this second round of grants to have an even greater impact on trails and trail use in Southeast."

Details about how to apply for the upcoming grants will be available soon. To add your name to the mailing list to receive these details or for more information, contact Karen Smith, SEAtrails coordinator, at vista@seatrails.org, 907.747.4237.

SEAtrails collaborates with organizations, groups and agencies to attract independent travelers, ecotourists and other visitors to Southeast Alaska. SEAtrails works with Alaska’s Marine Highway System and the Inter-Island Ferry Authority (IFA) to promote this dependable and enjoyable mode of travel between communities throughout the region.

The 19 SEAtrails member communities include Angoon, Coffman Cove, Craig, Gustavus, Haines, Hoonah, Hydaburg, Juneau, Kake, Ketchikan, Naukati, Pelican, Petersburg, Sitka, Skagway, Thorne Bay, Whale Pass, Wrangell and Yakutat. SEAtrails is a 501(c)3 non-profit run by a nine-member volunteer board spread throughout Southeast Alaska.

GoodSearch benefits SEAtrails

2007-08-27T10:11:00.000-08:00

Helping SEAtrails raise funds is as easy as doing a search online. Just make GoodSearch your default search engine by installing a toolbar in Explorer or Firefox. Be sure to set your charity to SEAtrails which is as easy as clicking on the GoodSearch logo above.

Sitka Trail Works donates $1,000

2007-08-24T14:28:00.000-08:00

Sitka Trail Works gave a check for $1,000 to SEAtrails vista Volunteer Karen Smith at their board meeting today. They are the third agency to contribute toward the organization at that level.

SEAtrails board meeting in Sitka

2007-08-22T12:03:00.000-08:00

The SEAtrails board of directors will be meeting with the McDowell Group to continue work on the business and marketing plan for the system. The meeting will be held in Sitka on October 21 and 22.