As the Arizona Legislature kicked off its session in January, State Senator Wendy Rogers introduced SB1041. If passed, this bill will appropriate $500,000 to the Arizona Trail Fund.
Established in 2006 to support Arizona Trail maintenance and construction, the Fund has only received intermittent support, but we are hopeful that after $0 in 2025 and $100,000 in 2024 that it will pass with overwhelming support. Rogers represents LD7, lives in Flagstaff, and is a frequent hiker on the Arizona Trail.
The Fund is managed by Arizona State Parks & Trails and is used to pay conservation corps and state-approved contractors to conduct priority maintenance and construction on the AZT that is beyond the ability of most volunteers. The Arizona Trail Association commits to matching every state dollar with at least three dollars through federal grants, private contributions and volunteer labor.
The state’s investment in our State Scenic Trail and National Scenic Trail is good for all, and will help fund projects on the trail at a time when we need them most.
The Arizona Trail Association (ATA) is the nonprofit organization whose mission is to protect, maintain, enhance, promote and sustain the Arizona Trail as a unique encounter with the natural environment. Since 1994, the ATA has trained and coordinated tens of thousands of volunteers to help build and maintain the Arizona Trail. The ATA’s primary focus is on protecting and maintaining the trail, and has a number of outreach programs to engage community members in the Arizona Trail experience. This includes the ATA’s Gateway Community Program, VETS and Seeds of Stewardship Program.