Deputy Secretary of the Interior Lynn Scarlett will dedicate the 1000th National Recreation Trail National Recreation Trail
A National Recreation Trail is a land-based or water-based trail that provides an outdoor recreation opportunity on federal, state, tribal or local public land. National Recreation Trails were established by the National Trails System Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-543), which authorized creation of a national trails system composed of National Recreation Trails, National Scenic Trails and National Historic Trails. Whereas National Scenic Trails and National Historic Trails may be designated only by an act of Congress, National Recreation Trails may be designated by the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture to recognize exemplary trails of local and regional significance.
Learn more about National Recreation Trail tomorrow, which is the 15th Annual National Trails Day, at Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, near Dallas, Oregon, and dedicate it to the refuges former manager, Rich Guadagno, who was killed on September 11, 2001, aboard United Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.
The Refuge will host family activities from 12-4 p.m. which include guided bird walks by the Salem Audubon Society, wildflower and butterfly walks led by refuge staff and wetland exploration. The formal NRT dedication, from 4 p.m.to 7 p.m., will also feature Pam Gluck, Executive Director of American Trails, and Lori Guadagno, Rich Guadagnos sister. For Directions to Baskett Slough Refuge please visit: http://www.fws.gov/willamettevalley/baskett/index.html
Guadagno was manager of the Baskett Slough and Ankeny Refuges from 1990 to 1998. At the time of his death, he was manager of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
The Rich Guadagno Memorial Trail is one of 40 newly designated national recreation trails announced this week by Secretary of the Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne and is one of 14 new national recreation trails on a dozen national wildlife refuges. Secretary Kempthornes announcement coincides with the 15th Annual National Trails Day. The Rich Guadagno Memorial Trail joins a network of more than 11,000 miles of trails throughout the country.
"The National Recreation Trail System connects Americans with the beauty of the great outdoors," Secretary Kempthorne said May 30 in announcing the new trails. "It is entirely fitting that the 1000th trail be named after Rich Guadagno, a man who dedicated his life to preserving nature and sharing his passion for the land with others."
Rich is believed to be one of those who died on Flight 93 fighting those who sought to hijack the airline and crash it into the nations capital. His law enforcement badge was found in the wreckage. In announcing the Rich Guadagno Memorial Trail as the 1000th National Recreation Trail, Secretary Kempthorne noted, "No other national trail designated this year sends a more powerful message. Its selection connects us all with our American conservation and outdoor traditions."
The 1.72 mile Rich Guadagno Memorial Trail takes hikers through rare native oak savanna and upland prairie habitat and shows what Rich was so dedicated to protect. It will put people in an historic landscape to learn about habitat conservation and restoration. Walking along the trail, visitors may hear Ruby crowned kinglets, sparrows and juncos. During this time of year, the worlds largest endangered Fenders Blue Butterfly population will be feeding on Kincaides lupine.
"I am particularly proud that the Secretary has chosen to honor Rich Guadagno, an avid sportsman, who worked with so many people and groups to convey a sense of wonder about wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation" said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director H. Dale Hall. "The 1000th National Recreation Trail designation will help more people discover the many recreational opportunities available on national wildlife refuges and at national fish hatcheries."
With this years additions, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service now administers 58 National Recreation Trails; 57 are on national wildlife refuges and one is on a national fish hatchery.
National Recreation Trails are designated by the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture to recognize exemplary trails of local and regional significance. National Recreation Trails provide outdoor recreation in a variety of areas. The trails, located on federal, state, municipal and privately owned lands, range from less than a mile to 1,500 miles.
For more information on the National Recreation Trails program, visit the American Trails web site at http://www.americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails/.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 547 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resources offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign and Native American tribal governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
