Library, Resources, Links

American Hiking Society-The National Voice for America's hikers, American Hiking Society promotes and protects foot trails and the hiking experience: www.americanhiking.org

American Trails- Our members are working to create and protect America's network of interconnected trails. We support local, regional, and long-distance trails and greenways, whether in backcountry, rural or urban areas. Our goal is to support America's trails by finding common ground and promoting cooperation among all trail interests:
http://www.americantrails.org/

Americans for Our Heritage and Recreation (AHR)- is a broad and diverse organization representing conservationists, the recreation and sporting goods industries, park and recreation specialists, wildlife enthusiasts, advocates for urban and wilderness areas, preservationists of cultural and historic sites, land trust advocates, the youth sports community, and civic groups seeking to revitalize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program (UPARR): www.ahrinfo.org

Chesapeake Bay Foundation- The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is the largest conservation organization dedicated solely to saving the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Our motto, Save the Bay, defines the organization's mission and commitment. With headquarters in Annapolis, Md., state offices in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania, and a varied group of educational centers and programs, CBF works throughout the Chesapeake's 64,000-square-mile watershed: http://www.savethebay.cbf.org/

National Park Service-mission is, "to promote and regulate the use of the...national parks...which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." http://www.nps.gov/

National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)- You’re a park professional. An urban planner. A concerned citizen. Why is NRPA important to you? Because parks and recreation is important to you. For more than 100 years, NRPA has been the voice advocating the significance of making parks, open space, and recreational opportunities available to all Americans. That makes NRPA your organization: www.nrpa.org

National Trails Training Partnership- is a new forum of diverse trail organizations and agencies whose mission is to improve opportunities for training for the nationwide trails community: http://www.nttp.net/

PA CleanWays- PA CleanWays mission is to empower people to eliminate illegal dumping and littering in PA: www.pacleanways.org

PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources-Established on July 1, 1995, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is charged with maintaining and preserving the 116 state parks; managing the 2.1 million acres of state forest land; providing information on the state's ecological and geologic resources; and establishing community conservation partnerships with grants and technical assistance to benefit rivers, trails, greenways, local parks and recreation, regional heritage parks, open space and natural areas: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/

PA Greenways Clearinghouse -Web site is an initiative of Pennsylvania's Greenways Program, a partnership of government, the Pennsylvania Greenways Partnership Commission, and organizations and citizens from around the state. The clearinghouse is one of the first initiatives of the Pennsylvania Greenways Program, with leadership from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The mission of Pennsylvania's Greenways Program is to provide coordination and assistance to all who are dedicated to creating a statewide network of greenways across the landscapes of Pennsylvania, from the local to the state level: http://www.pagreenways.org/

PA Powerport- Welcome to Pennsylvania-find out all about PA’s business, government, learning, living, technology, visiting, working: http://www.state.pa.us/

Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area- Created by Congress in 1996, the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area is committed to preserving, interpreting, and managing the historic, cultural, and natural resources related to Big Steel and its related industries. Encompassing 3,000 square miles in the seven counties of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Westmoreland, Greene, Fayette, and Washington, Rivers of Steel is building on this area's remarkable transition from heavy industry to high technology and diversified services as well as bolstering the new regional economy by promoting tourism and economic development based on this region's historic industrial saga: http://www.riversofsteel.org/

Wildlands Conservancy- a non-profit, member-supported organization dedicated to land preservation, river preservation, trail development and environmental stewardship through education: www.wildlandspa.org

American Horse Council – represents national equine interests and investments. www.horsecouncil.org

American Motorcyclist Association – organization promoting and protecting the interests of on- and off-road motorcycle enthusiasts. www.amadirectlink.com/index.asp

American Recreation Coalition – dedicated to the protection and enhancement of everyone’s right to health and happiness through recreation. www.funoutdoors.com

Back Country Horsemen of America – dedicated to preserving the historical use of recreational stock in the back country. www.backcountryhorse.com

International Association of Snowmobile Administrators (IASA) represents snowmobile program administrators from 27 US States, 10 Canadian Provinces, 3 Canadian Territories, and Sweden, to facilitate communications among administrators. www.snowiasa.org

National Association of Service and Conservation Corps – unites youth corps to support youth development, community service, and environmental restoration goals. www.nascc.org

Partnership for the National Trails System – facilitates interaction and cooperation among private groups and government agencies involved with the national scenic and historic trails of the National Trails System. www.nationaltrailspartnership.org

Tread Lightly! – promoting responsible outdoor recreation through education, restoration, and research. www.treadlightly.org

United Four Wheel Drive Associations – provides the latest news and information in 4WD recreation. www.ufwda.org

Western Trailbuilders Association – a nonprofit association of professional trail contractors, designers, and consultants. www.trailbuilders.org

ATV Connection- describes several places to ride ATVs: http://www.atving.com/tmpl/ridearea/maride.cfm

ATV Safety Institute (ASI)-is a non-profit division of the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA), was formed in 1988 to implement an expanded national program of all-terrain vehicle safety education and awareness. ASI’s primary goal is to promote the safe & responsible use of ATV’s thereby reducing accidents and injuries that may result from improper ATV operation by the rider: http://www.atvsafety.org/

Blue Mountain Jeep Alliance- based in south-eastern Pennsylvania, is for trail riding Jeep enthusiasts: http://www.bmja.org/

Blue Ribbon Coalition- We've united to defend access for motorized recreation nationwide. We care about what's happening in your back yard and your right to enjoy your sport: http://www.sharetrails.org/

Keystone Off Road Riders- http://www.korr.org

Lehigh Valley ATV Association- has events, photos, and contacts: www.atvconnection.com

National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC)- is a publicly supported, educational foundation organized for the sole purpose of promoting safe, responsible, family oriented off-highway recreational experiences. We are a forum for organizations and supporters of OHV recreation, including OHV manufacturers, related businesses, affiliated foundations, OHV dealers, clubs and enthusiasts, to become partners in creating a positive future for the sport: http://www.nohvcc.org/

Pennsylvania ATVing- The latest on Pennsylvania’s All Terrain Vehicle news: http://www.paatving.com/

Pennsylvania Off Highway Vehicle Association- http://www.paohv.org/

Centre Region Bike Coalition- based in State College, Pennsylvania, promotes bicycling as recreation and transportation in the Centre County region: http://centrebike.org/index.html

Completely Unofficial Guide to Bicycle Trails in Western PA- locate bike trails http://www.pagreenways.org/defaultSearch.asp?pContent=http://www.theneonweb.com/trails/

Delaware Valley Mountain Bike Patrol- covers the Wissahickon Valley section of Philadelphia's Fairmount Park: http://www.dvmbp.org/

FreeWheeling Easy in Western Pennsylvania- presents sections of a guidebook to easy traffic-free bicycling and walking trails in Pennsylvania west of US219: http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~shaw/FWE.html

International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA)- creates, enhances and preserves trail opportunities for mountain bikers worldwide. Since 1988, IMBA has been bringing out the best in mountain biking by encouraging low-impact riding, volunteer trail work participation, cooperation among different trail user groups, and innovative trail management solutions: http://www.imba.com/

Keystone Mountain Biking Association- The purpose is to protect and encourage Mountain Bike trail access by creating good working relationships with Pennsylvania State Land Management Agencies. We will provide information, education, and support to statewide mountain bike riders, organizations, and clubs as well as represent them in their efforts to communicate and cooperate with the state authorities: http://www.bikekmba.org/

Mountain Bike in PA- news and events, ride logs, trail guides, mailing lists, and more: http://www.mountainbikepa.com/

Mountain Biking in Eastern Pennsylvania- has a Trail Guide feature with trail descriptions and links: http://members.tripod.com/~gnebs1/index.html

Mountain Biking in York PA- has trail maps and descriptions: www.epgsoft.com/MBYork

Valley Mountain Bikers- in the Lehigh Valley area: http://bikevmb.com

Western Pennsylvania Wheelmen (WPW) - founded in 1969, is one of the largest bicycle clubs in Pennsylvania with over 1000 individual and family memberships. Our purpose is to promote the general interests of bicyclists, to educate bicyclists in safe riding methods in adherence to the State Vehicle Code, to defend the rights of bicyclists, and to advocate the use of bicycles for pleasure, health, and transportation: http://www.wpwbikeclub.org/

Bucks County Horse Park- is a unique facility dedicated to the preservation of open space for amateur equestrian pursuits amid the accelerating loss of land to development pressures. The park sits on 124+ acres and has 25 miles of riding trails: http://www.buckscountyhorsepark.org

Great Allegheny Passage- A Portion of the Great Allegheny Passage (about 8 miles) from Rockwood to Garrett has been opened for horse traffic. Much of that portion of the trail has an added path for the horses: http://americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails/stateNRT/PAnrt.html

Pennsylvania Equine Council- supports horse issues and trail stewardship: www.pennsylvaniaequinecouncil.com/

Pennsylvania Horse Trails-Guidebooks to Horse Trails, Equine Camping, and Carriage Trails open to the public in PA: http://www.RidePennsylvania.com

Abington Trails Project- is working toward a system of trails in Abington to provide a safe place, close to home, for a variety of trail activities: www.abingtontrails.org/

Friends of the Carantouan Greenway- work in the Penn-York Valley: http://home.cqservices.com/greenway/

Delaware Water Gap (vicinity)- Hiking, biking, and canoeing http://delawarewatergap.net/

Friends of the Wissahickon- helps preserve and protect Fairmont Park in Philadelphia, including 50 miles of National Recreation Trails: www.fow.org

Pittsburgh Trail- is a circular 50 mile itinerary within the city exploring its rich natural geography, urban setting, and architectural features: www.geocities.com/pittsburghtrail/

Pittsburgh and Allegheny County- (greeways) http://slaggarden.cfa.cmu.edu/dialogues/pittgreen.html

Pittsburgh-Harrisburg Mainline Canal Greenway: http://www.alleghenyridge.org/GREENWAY.html

Swatara Greenway- is a planned corridor of protected land along the Swatara Creek which runs 71 miles from Schuylkill Co. to Middletown: http://www.manada.org/swatara/swgreen.htm

Three Rivers Heritage Trail- is a major greenway project in Pittsburgh: http://trfn.clpgh.org/fotr/

Appalachian Mountain Club- Delaware Valley Chapter, has a variety of News & Activities for Pennsylvania, Middle & Southern NJ, and Northern Delaware: http://www.amcdv.org/

Experience PA- Official Web Site for travel and tourism in Pennsylvania: http://www.experiencepa.com/

Keystone Trail Association- Dedicated to the Stewardship of Pennsylvania’s Hiking Trails since 1956, usually referred to as the KTA, is an alliance of organizations and individuals who share a common interest in hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania and neighboring states: http://www.kta-hike.org/

Keystone State Volkssport Association- provides contacts for many local clubs: http://www.ava.org/clubs/ksva/PAclubs.htm

North County Trail Association- The mission of the North Country Trail Association is to develop, maintain, preserve and promote the North Country National Scenic Trail through a national network of volunteers, chapters, partner organizations and government agencies: http://www.northcountrytrail.org/

Pennsylvania Rails-to-Trails Conservancy- The purpose of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is to enrich America's communities and countryside by creating a nationwide network of public trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors: http://www.railtrails.org/

Volkssport and Walking Events- in Pennsylvania: http://www.ava.org/walk/pa.htm

East Coast Greenway- a project underway to link seaboard states with a largely off-road route: http://www.greenway.org/

Great Allegheny Passage- the main line of a trail system running from the C&O Canal Towpath at Cumberland, Maryland, to the Forks of the Ohio River at Pittsburgh on a near-level rail-trail through the Allegheny Mountains: http://www.atatrail.org

North Country Trail- being developed with a goal of 4,400 miles from New York to North Dakota; for information on the trail in Pennsylvania: http://northcountrytrail.org/explore/ex_pa/pa.htm

Allegheny Trail Alliance- working to link up a multi-purpose trail from Pittsburgh, PA to Cumberland, MD, where the trail will join the C&O Canal Towpath Trail to Washington, DC: http://www.atatrail.org/ata-info/aboutata.htm

Pennsylvania's rail trails- Contact information, maps, and contacts for most of PA Rail Trails can be found at: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/railtrails/default.asp

Bellefonte Central- Penn State is leading a community partnership to develop this 1.3 mile section of the former railroad right-of-way into a multi-use recreational trail: http://www.arboretum.psu.edu/planning/rail.html

Butler-Freeport Community Trail- a 20-mile abandoned railroad corridor owned by Buffalo, Winfield, and Jefferson Townships north of Pittsburgh, in Butler County: http://www.butlerfreeporttrail.org/

The Friends of Chester Creek- a Hiking. Walking, Riding, Rail Trail in Delaware County, PA: http://members.tripod.com/~ctrail/index.htm

Montour Trail Council- works to convert the abandoned Montour Railroad in Allegheny and Washington Counties, Pennsylvania, into a 54-mile trail.: http://trfn.clpgh.org/orgs/mtc/

Pennsylvania Rail-Trails- field office: http://www.railtrails.org/field/pennsylvania/default.asp

Steel Heritage Trail- a rail trail project that will run along the Monongahela River through Pittsburgh and south through Glassport to Clairton: http://trfn.clpgh.org/sihc/trail.html

Youghiogheny River Trail- runs 43-miles between McKeesport and Connellsville: http://www.YoughRiverTrail.com/ Another site is at: http://www.faywest.com/youghtrail/

York County Heritage Rail Trail- map, mileage, and trail access points: www.yorkcountytrails.org

For a locator map and detailed descriptions of rail trails in the Washington, D.C., area and a few others in Pennsylvania, VIrginia, Maryland, and West Virginia: http://www.his.com/~jmenzies/urbanatb/rtrails/index.ht

Blue Ribbon Coalition- We've united to defend access for motorized recreation nationwide. We care about what's happening in your back yard and your right to enjoy your sport: http://www.sharetrails.org/

National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC)- is a publicly supported, educational foundation organized for the sole purpose of promoting safe, responsible, family oriented off-highway recreational experiences. We are a forum for organizations and supporters of OHV recreation, including OHV manufacturers, related businesses, affiliated foundations, OHV dealers, clubs and enthusiasts, to become partners in creating a positive future for the sport: http://www.nohvcc.org/

Pennsylvania Off Highway Vehicle Association- http://www.paohv.org/

Pennsylvania State Snowmobile Association- Promote the proper recreational uses of snowmobiles, maintaining environmentally-friendly relationships with the State Department of Conservation & Natural Resources and the Game Commission. Maintain a continuing effort to provide high-quality trails throughout the Commonwealth. Sponsor safety classes at the organization's fall convention, designed to encourage safe, courteous and lawful use of snowmobiles. Represent a unified voice for snowmobilers before the Pennsylvania State Legislature. Our involvement has led to improvements in recreational trail funding, registration at point-of-sale, reciprocity agreements and the approved use of 102" wide trailers. Work with members to establish local clubs, providing continuing education through informative "President's Workshops". Assist state and local law enforcement agencies in winter search-and-rescue efforts. Produce monthly Keystone Snowmobiler newspaper, keeping members informed of state and national issues that matter to them. Provide snowmobilers a way to meet and share the fun with fellow enthusiasts: http://www.pasnow.org/

Paddling in PA- reports and describes places to canoe or kayak in Pennsylvania: http://www.pagreenways.org/defaultSearch.asp?pContent=http://www.paddling.net/places/PA/

PA Water Trails- to locate water trails:
http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Fish_Boat/watertrails/trailindex.htm

Schuylkill River Water Trail- a National Recreational Trail: http://www.schuylkillriver.org/maps/water_trails.asp