Members
& Partners
Uwharrie National Trail | Randolph County
Meet the Members of the
Great Trails State Coalition
We are proud of our wide range of members all standing behind a platform for trails in North Carolina.
The Coalition has 107 total members!
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Non-Profit Partners of the Great Trails State Coalition
Blue Ridge Conservancy
Blue Ridge Conservancy partners with landowners and local communities to permanently protect natural resources with agricultural, cultural, recreational, ecological, and scenic value in northwest North Carolina. Part of our mission is to expand public access and recreational opportunities.
Carolina Thread Trail
The Carolina Thread Trail is a regional network of connected greenways, trails and blueways that reaches 15 counties, 2 states and 2.9 million people. There are over 300 miles of trails and 170 miles of blueway open to the public – linking people to places, and communities to each other.
East Coast Greenway Alliance
The East Coast Greenway connects 15 states and 450 cities and towns for 3,000 miles from Maine to Florida. We are fostering a safe walking and biking route through the country’s most populated corridor.
Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail
Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail is the growing community of members and volunteers who support the trail, an official unit of the North Carolina State Park System. We work statewide building and maintaining trail, encouraging communities to create new sections of trail, and helping people hike it.
NC Horse Council
North Carolina Horse Council serves as the voice of the North Carolina Equine Community through education, communication, and representation.
Piedmont Land Conservancy
Piedmont Legacy Trails is the trails collective in the Piedmont Triad whose primary goal is to highlight our natural places, connect trail efforts, and give voice to regional trail interests for the the benefit of our communities.
Piedmont Legacy Trails
Piedmont Legacy Trails is the trails collective in the Piedmont Triad whose primary goal is to highlight our natural places, connect trail efforts, and give voice to regional trail interests for the the benefit of our communities.
Rails to Trails Conservancy
At Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), we believe that communities are healthier and happier when trail networks are central to their design. Since 1986, RTC has worked to bring the power of trails to more communities across the country, serving as the national voice for the rail-trail movement.
The Conservation Fund
The Conservation Fund, working with public, private and nonprofit partners, protects America’s legacy of land and water resources through land acquisition, sustainable community and economic development, and leadership training, emphasizing the integration of economic and environmental goals.
Triangle Trails
Triangle Trails is a newly launched collaboration between government, business, anchor institutions and civic leaders to make the Research Triangle Region a national leader in greenways and trails.
AARP of North Carolina
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. At its heart, the work that AARP and its affiliates do can be summed up in just 12 words: “We fight for and equip each individual to live their best life.” It’s all about real possibilities.
Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation
In support of the Blue Ridge Parkway, we create a spirit of stewardship to address the challenges faced by this national treasure. With your help, we ensure cultural and historical preservation, natural resource protection, and educational outreach now and for future generations.
Carolina Mountain Club
- leading hikes and welcoming all who are capable of participating;
- building and maintaining trails, especially the sections of the Appalachian Trail and Mountains to Sea Trail for which we have accepted responsibility; and
- working with public and private partners to conserve our natural heritage.
Conserving Carolina
Conserving Carolina’s mission is to protect, restore, and inspire appreciation of our natural world. We serve part of Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina.
Dan River Basin Association
The Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) protects and promotes the Dan River Basin through recreation, education and stewardship.
Elkin Valley Trails Association
The mission of the non-profit Elkin Valley Trails Association (EVTA) is to enrich the quality of life in the region by building and promoting a network of multiuse trails. While observing and promoting leave no trace principles, Elkin’s hiking, biking, running, paddling, and equestrian trails promote a healthy lifestyle, provide educational and economic opportunities, preserve our history, and allow for organized events.
Foothills Conservancy
Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina inspires conservation in Western North Carolina by permanently protecting land and water for the benefit of people and all living things. Foothills Conservancy serves eight counties: Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Lincoln, McDowell and Rutherford.
*Also a fiscal sponsor!
Friends of the Fonta Flora State Trail
The mission of F3ST is to bring together communities and volunteers to build, maintain, and promote the Fonta Flora State Trail connecting Buncombe, McDowell, and Burke counties for the enjoyment and education of people.
Friends of the Valdese Rec
Friends of the Valdese Rec is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit corporation, that supports the Valdese Parks and Recreation Department with volunteer hours and fundraising for the betterment of the Department, while at the same time benefiting the town, the citizens and the environment.
Greensboro Downtown Greenway
The Downtown Greenway, a collaborative project of the City of Greensboro and Action Greensboro, is a planned 4 mile walking and biking trail that will encourage economic development, increase the tax base for the city, and will improve quality of life for its citizens.
Lake Junalaska
A beloved retreat center in the Western North Carolina mountains. The mission of Lake Junaluska is to be a place of Christian hospitality where lives are transformed through renewal of soul, mind and body. This hospitality is provided to ALL persons, without discrimination.
North Carolina Recreation & Park Association
Founded in 1944, the North Carolina Recreation & Park Association (NCRPA) is the premier nonprofit education and advocacy organization, dedicated to the advancement of the park, recreation and leisure professions in our state.
Overmountain Victory North Carolina State Trail – Friends
The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail stretches roughly 330 miles from its southern terminus in South Carolina through North Carolina and into Tennessee and Virginia, and follows the paths that the patriot militia took as they mustered to fight the Battle of Kings Mountain in 1780.
Partners for Parks
Partners for Parks aims to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Mecklenburg County and the surrounding region by preserving, promoting and enhancing the parks, greenways, open spaces, active play and recreational opportunities within our community.
Roanoke River Partners, Inc. was formed to support on-going efforts to develop and promote responsible nature and heritage tourism throughout our beautiful five-county region which borders the Roanoke River from our Virginia border to the Albemarle Sound.
SORBA
Since 1989, The Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association has worked to ensure that our public lands offer fun, challenging and sustainable mountain biking for all mountain bikers. As the leading mountain biking organization in the southeast, our mission is to create, enhance, and protect great mountain biking experiences in the southeast.
Triangle Land Conservancy
We work to create a healthier, more vibrant Triangle region by protecting wild & working lands so everyone has access to open space, clean water & local food.
The goal of UPLIFT is to support tourism through community driven efforts in rural North Carolina. UPLIFT works regionally – across county borders – to support local tourism leaders and practitioners in realizing their vision for tourism in their community, including natural, recreational, cultural, agricultural, culinary, built and other tourism.
Yadkin Riverkeeper
Yadkin Riverkeeper is a nonprofit, membership organization whose mission is to protect and enhance the Yadkin Pee Dee River basin through education, advocacy and action.
Connect Buncombe
Connect Buncombe is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization supporting the growth of greenways in Buncombe County. Through advocacy, awareness campaigns, volunteer events, strategic partnerships, and direct funding, Connect Buncombe works to ensure Buncombe County meets its greenway-related goals as outlined in the county’s Comprehensive Plan.
Conservation Corps North Carolina
Conservation Corps North Carolina (CCNC) is a program of Conservation Legacy that partners with public land managers in North Carolina. CCNC engages motivated young adults, ages 15-30, to complete challenging and impactful conservation service projects throughout the region. Projects may include trail construction & maintenance, habitat improvement, hazard fuel reduction and ecological restoration.
Conservation Trust for North Carolina
CTNC conserves land in ways that inspire and enable people to build resilient, just communities.
McDowell Trails Association
McDowell Trails Association partners with local governments, agencies, clubs and associations in order to create greenways, blueways and non-motorized trails that will promote health, recreational and economic opportunities for residents and visitors in McDowell County.
New River Conservancy
New River Conservancy is dedicated to protecting the waters, woodlands, and wildlife of the New River Watershed.
Access Fund
Access Fund is the national advocacy organization that leads and inspires the climbing community toward sustainable access and conservation of the climbing environment.
Alleghany Sparta Trail Association, Inc
The Alleghany Sparta Trail Association endeavors to provide pathways for outdoor recreation that promote healthy lifestyles, connect enthusiasts with nature and contribute to the economic vitality of our local community.
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
The mission of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy is to protect, manage, and advocate for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
Blue Ridge Bartram Conservancy is establishing and maintaining a 110 mile memorial trail, following a route as close as possible to Bartram’s original route through northeast Georgia and western North Carolina. They also work to recognize and honor the Philadelphia-born naturalist, William Bartram and promote knowledge about the plants and animals of the southern Appalachians, as well as the traditions and culture of the native Cherokee people.
Burke River Trail Association
The Burke River Trail Association, a non-profit corporation, supports the planning, development and building of the Burke River Trail, which will generate economic activity, provide bike and pedestrian transportation, and improve citizen health in Burke County.
The Carolina Climber’s Coalition was established January 16, 1995 with the purposes of preserving the natural environment, promoting safe climbing practices and preserving climber’s access to climbing areas in North and South Carolina.
Eno River Association
Through access, events, and education, Eno River Association aims to nurture future conservationists who will continue to prioritize the conservation of open spaces for human recreation, water quality, wildlife, farms, and forests.
The Ecusta Trail, when complete, will be a 19.4 mile, multi-use greenway along an unused railway corridor (‘rail-trail’) connecting Hendersonville and Brevard. This ‘linear park’ will beckon people of all ages and abilities to reach destinations by walking, running, biking and wheelchair in the mountains of Western North Carolina.
Friends of the Lower Haw River State Natural Area
Friends of Lower Haw River State Natural Area is an all-volunteer group dedicated to supporting the Lower Haw River State Natural Area in Chatham County, NC.
Friends of North Stanly Trails and Parks
Friends of North Stanly Trails and Parks create and maintain trails in the North Stanly area. Parks are a secondary purpose. The Friends raise money through membership and special fund raising events. The Friends also recruit volunteers to help maintain the trail.
The mission of Friends of Panthertown is to work in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service to conserve Panthertown as a backcountry natural resource and to enable sustainable recreation.
Since 2005, Friends of Panthertown has trained and coordinated hundreds of volunteers, and raised funds for trail maintenance and much needed conservation projects in Panthertown Valley. They encourage environmental stewardship, volunteerism, and create public awareness of issues concerning Panthertown.
Friends of Stone Mountain supports and promotes Stone Mountain State Park for the benefit of the general public, including developing and promoting public awareness, providing support and resources for the maintenance of programs, facilities and recreation; advocating for ecological conservation and preservation of the park’s natural, scenic, cultural, and historical resources and addressing environmental issues. These purposes are exclusively non-profit, charitable and educational.
G5 Trail Collective
The G5 Trail Collective is a 501-c3 non-profit initiative powered by Camp Grier in partnership with the USFS, local communities, and recreational trail user groups. G5 Stands for the Grandfather District and the 5 counties it covers – McDowell, Burke, Caldwell, Avery, and Watauga.
NC Coastal Land Trust
The North Carolina Coastal Land Trust conserves lands with scenic, recreational, historic and/or ecological value. Our mission is to enrich our state through conservation of natural areas and working landscapes, education, and the promotion of good land stewardship in our coastal communities.
The North Carolina Interscholastic Cycling League is a youth development program for 6th – 12th grade students through cycling in the great outdoors. We strive to create confident and responsible young adults and to provide them with the opportunity to learn about and participate in healthy and active lifestyles. We work to ensure that success by establishing and maintaining safe, quality youth programs around North Carolina regardless of ability level.
North Carolina Paddle Trail Association
The mission of the N.C. Paddle Trails Association is to empower communities in the local development, maintenance and restoration of paddle trails in North Carolina thereby nurturing economically and environmentally sustainable communities.
Piedmont Fat Tire Society
The Piedmont Fat Tire Society is dedicated to the education, promotion, and enrichment of sustainable mountain biking trails and the communities they serve. Nonprofit, 501(c)3.
With an organized effort we hope to accomplish many goals. One major goal being to bring a positive attitude toward mountain biking in general by maintaining existing trails and developing new ones.
Pisgah Area SORBA
Pisgah Area SORBA is dedicated to preserving mountain biking opportunities by maintaining and improving trail systems in the Pisgah Ranger District and surrounding region.
Land managers simply do not have the budget to build and maintain the trails that you want to ride. Now, more than ever they need our help.PAS is one of over 40 other dedicated mountain bike groups that have banded together as the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA.)
Triangle Off-Road Cyclists
Triangle Off-Road Cyclists (TORC) is a key advocate for the establishment of more trails in the Triangle area of North Carolina. We are a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in August 2005.
Made By Mountains
The Western North Carolina Made By Mountains program is all about telling the story of how the people, companies, and communities that make this such an extraordinary outdoor mecca have all been shaped by the mountains we call home.
Outdoor NC
Outdoor NC is a movement that is committed to promoting stewardship throughout North Carolina, inspiring everyone to not only experience the outdoors, but embrace and protect it as well.
Business Partners of the Great Trails State Coalition
Platinum
$5000
Three Oaks Engineering
Three Oaks Engineering is a woman-owned business focused on helping our clients accomplish infrastructure projects with careful consideration of community and environmental needs.
Gold
$2500
Backwoods Bridges
We are a custom timber construction company offering a wide range of structures for your project or property.
In addition to bridges, we also construct on-grade boardwalks, bulkheads, retaining walls, docks, decks and piers, pavilions, trellises, pergolas and timber fencing.
HDR
HDR specializes in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. While we are most well-known for adding beauty and structure to communities through high-performance buildings and smart infrastructure, we provide much more than that.
Kimley Horn
At Kimley Horn, one of the nation’s premier planning and design consultants, our professionals are experts in many disciplines yet share one passion: making our clients successful.
McAdams
McAdams a collective group of civil engineers, landscape architects, planners, scientists and surveyors that collaborate to approach projects with the goal to create a meaningful experience for both our clients and the end-users that will explore the places we help create.
PermaTrak
PermaTrak North America is a premier provider of environmentally-friendly precast concrete boardwalk and elevated greenway solutions.
Silver
$1000+
Bolton & Menk
Real people helping build safe, sustainable, and beautiful communities. We are made up of planners, engineers, designers, technicians, and more who work hard to improve your community.
Gannett Fleming
For over a century, Gannett Fleming has pioneered important architecture, engineering, and construction innovations. We continue this tradition today as we take on some of our world’s most difficult infrastructure challenges.
Land Design
We’re a collection of visionaries and problem solvers who believe in the power of balance, combining creativity and practicality to design what we know will thrive.
Alta
Alta Planning + Design
specializes in the planning, design, engineering, and implementation of bicycle, pedestrian, park, and trail facilities and systems.
Benesch
Serving a broad range of markets, Benesch has played a role in shaping our nation’s infrastructure and local communities for decades. We are client-focused – dedicated to providing responsive service and recruiting the very best talent to deliver project success.
Black Diamond Trail Designs
Black Diamond Trail design’s mission is to design and build the next generation of truly inspiring mountain bike trail systems and bike Parks.
Timmons Group
ENGINEERING | DESIGN | TECHNOLOGY
Since 1953, our practices have been rooted the same ideals: Enhancing the beauty, safety, and functionality of our contemporary world. Whether you’re looking for expertise in creating your next project or for guidance with an existing endeavor, our teams are strategically positioned to help you achieve every level of your project needs while keeping your vision and values at the forefront of our partnership.
Wetherill Engineering
Wetherill Engineering, Inc. is a Woman-Owned, certified SPSF with NCDOT and HUB certified with the North Carolina Department of Administration. Wetherill Engineering is also ranked as the 104th Top Firm in the Southeast (Engineering News Record), and a top MWBE Firm in the Triangle (Triangle Business News).
Pond
Founded in 1965, Pond is a full-service consulting firm and provides integrated solutions in engineering, architecture, planning, and program/construction management.
Bronze
$500
Destination by Design
We help communities plan, design, and promote vibrant Main Streets, destination-quality trails, recreation areas, and tourism products. By engaging residents and local leaders through compelling storytelling, collecting their best ideas, and building genuine consensus, we create places with purpose.
Smart Moves Consulting
Smart Moves Consulting provides solutions based consulting services, such as planning, developing funding strategies, project implementation, and meeting facilitation.
Davis Martin Powell
DMP is one of the premier engineering and land surveying firms headquartered in North Carolina. DMP’s skilled Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors provide services in Municipal Engineering, Land Development, Surveying, Subsurface Utility Engineering, and Construction Management/Inspection.
Equinox
Equinox is a consulting, planning, and design firm with a focus on conservation, sustainability, and environmentally responsible land development projects. Based in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina, we serve communities throughout the Southeast and are known for our work in the southern Appalachian Mountains.
Finch & Associates
Finch & Associates is a comprehensive engineering and consulting firm bringing decades of expertise to projects both large and small. Offering a range of services typically found at larger engineering firms, our team offers proven strategies, diverse perspectives and creative problem-solving skills to every project that we are involved in.
Nature Trails NC
Nature Trails is a nationally recognized trail design and construction firm specializing in recreational trail infrastructure for developers, municipalities, non-profits, and private landowners. Our philosophy is ‘Conservation Through Recreation’ meaning that our focus is on creating active uses for managed forests, green space, and tree buffers to ensure it remains for future generations.
Traffic Planning and Design
We exist to improve the quality of life for the public, and are dedicated to Moving Forward Together® with clients and community partners; we continue to realize this mission and our goals by providing tailored, sustainable project solutions, leveraging our diverse backgrounds and experiences.
WithersRavenel
WithersRavenel is a multidisciplinary firm creating inspiring places one person, one project, and one community at a time. As a 100% employee-owned company, we give, grow, and create together.
Elevated Trail Design
Friends
$250
Terrabilt
Terrabilt’s comprehensive approach creates solutions that welcome and inform park visitors. Terrabilt provides program assessments/site analysis, standards planning and graphic design for signing parks, trails and preserves as well as interpretive and cartographic services.
Great Outdoor Provision Co.
Starting as a 120 square foot store at the back of a bicycle shop in Carrboro, NC and now, 50+ years later, growing to 9 different stores throughout North Carolina and Virginia, Great Outdoor Provision Co.’s has always been commited to the outdoors and providing you with the best gear, no matter what.
Greenways Inc.
Greenways Incorporated is a consulting firm that offers strategic planning and consulting services to local, regional, state and federal government agencies, non-profit organizations and for-profit businesses.
Government Partners of the Great Trails State Coalition
City of Raleigh
Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina and is often rated as one of the best places to live, work, & play.
Randolph County
Gently rolling hills, river valleys, and forest land characterize Randolph County’s 790 square miles. It is the 11th largest county in North Carolina and has the 19th highest population in the state.
Davidson County Tourism Recreation Investment Partnership
TRIP is a non-profit foundation facilitating community efforts toward the implementation of the Davidson County Parks and Recreation and Tourism Master Plan.
Town of Cary
Cary is a thriving community of over 183,000 people representing more than 60 nationalities at the heart of the Triangle region. Cary is consistently ranked among the most-desirable places to live, work, have fun, and do business in the U.S. It holds a reputation for its safe neighborhoods, network of bike-friendly parks and 90 miles of greenways, environmental stewardship, robust business climate, and premier amateur sports venues. For more, visit www.carync.gov
City of Greensboro Parks & Recreation
Centrally located in North Carolina’s picturesque heartland, Greensboro is the perfect place to relax and be immersed in entertainment. Play in the center of it all!
Chatham County
Chatham County, North Carolina, was founded in 1771 and located at the geographic center of the state. Chatham County celebrates a history rich in traditions, while embracing the growth and diversity that make our community so unique.
Town of Boone
Boone is a town in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. The Blue Ridge Parkway winds past the town, offering mountain views.
Pitt County
Pitt County is a rapidly growing, diversified employment and service center for eastern North Carolina. As one of the fastest growing regions in the state, Pitt County Government strives to enhance the health, safety and well-being of our community by advocating for and providing quality services in a friendly, efficient and cost-effective manner.
Surry County
Surry County was formed in 1771. We are located in the north central section of the state and bounded by the state of Virginia and Stokes, Yadkin, Wilkes and Alleghany counties.
McDowell County
Nestled next to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, McDowell County is a beautiful place to call home.
Rutherfordton
Established in 1787, Rutherfordton is one of the oldest towns in Western North Carolina. Today, we are known within the region for our unrivaled quality of life, the beauty of our place and our pride in our community.
Orange County
Nestled in the hills of the North Carolina Piedmont, Orange County is located between the Research Triangle Park and the Triad cities of Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point.
Town of Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC, is a multicultural university town that is home to UNC-Chapel Hill and a resident population of 59,000. With more than 700 acres of parks and additional protected natural areas, it’s sometimes easy to forget that you’re in an urban area and not in the middle of a forest.
City of Mount Holly
The City of Mount Holly, NC is located in northeastern Gaston County. Our beautiful city is situated west of Catawba River with a culturally and historically rich community and a thriving economy.
Alamance Parks
For more than 50 years, Alamance Parks has worked to improve the quality of life of Alamance County residents. Through our parks and programs, we encourage healthy lifestyles for children and adults, offer inclusive activities for all of our citizens, and provide access to the natural world.
City of Hendersonville
Hendersonville, NC is located amidst the majestic mountains of Southern Appalachians and is known as ‘The City of Four Seasons’ thanks to a mild and varied climate that offers diverse recreational opportunities year-round. It is the county seat and commercial hub of Henderson County with more than 14,000 residents.
Town of Waxhaw Parks and Recreation
The mission of Town of Waxhaw Parks and Recreation is to provide recreational, educational, and cultural opportunities that promote a healthy lifestyle and excellent quality of life in a safe environment for citizens of all ages, means and abilities.
Town of Matthews
Nestled between Charlotte and Union County, Matthews offers big city amenities with a small-town feel. Annual festivals, family-friendly entertainment and plenty of recreational amenities have made it one of the most desired locations in the region. Downtown Matthews is a vibrant destination buzzing with nightlife, exciting restaurants, and shopping. Matthews is a great place for all who live, work or play here.
Town of Cornelius
The Town of Cornelius is a highly diverse community with ten public parks, a wide variety of housing opportunities, vibrant retail and office centers and a championship golf course.
Person County
Person County offers a strategic location for business and industry, being within an hour’s drive of North Carolina’s two major economic centers, the Research Triangle Park (Durham, Chapel Hill and Raleigh) and the Piedmont Triad (Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point), and a two-hour drive of Richmond, Virginia.
Advisors of the Great Trails State Coalition
NC State Parks
The North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation exists to inspire all its citizens and visitors through conservation, recreation and education.
NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources oversees the state’s resources for the arts, history, libraries and nature.
NC Department of Transportation
Connecting people, products and places safely and efficiently with customer focus, accountability and environmental sensitivity to enhance the economy and vitality of North Carolina
NC Outdoor Recreation Industry Office
North Carolina’s Outdoor Recreation Industry Office works to grow and support the outdoor recreation economy at the state level as part of Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.
Fiscal Sponsors of the Great Trails State Coalition
Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina
Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina inspires conservation in Western North Carolina by permanently protecting land and water for the benefit of people and all living things. Foothills Conservancy serves eight counties: Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Lincoln, McDowell and Rutherford.
American Council of Engineering Companies of North Carolina
ACEC/NC is the premier organization in North Carolina that represents the business interests of the engineering industry in our state. ACEC/NC’s mission is to promote the business interest of engineering companies by providing legislative advocacy and business services.