July 28, 2022
In
ESLC
Gearing up For the MACo Summer Conference
The Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) is hosting their annual summer conference in Ocean City from August 17-20. The conference will include many events and sessions, including one titled, The Path to Economic Revival: Leveraging Trails & Nature. In April 2022, ESLC hosted a workshop on creating a Vision for a Regional Trail Network and were excited to see the support and enthusiasm there is for more trails on the shore. We see this as a means of unlocking great potential in our region for public health, equitable access to nature, and an economic driver. We want to encourage anyone interested in trails and connecting to communities, parks and open spaces to attend.
The session’s description is as follows:
Thursday, August 18th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
The Path to Economic Revival: Leveraging Trails & Nature Hosted by MACo’s Parks & Recreation Affiliate No longer seen as just a path in the woods, trails have become an important tool for driving economic development and creating cohesive communities. These underappreciated assets bridge different points of interest and drive tourism, all while providing a source of local recreation and connecting the workforce to their communities. This expert panel discusses the ins and outs of trail development and management and how leveraging these overlooked assets can benefit Marylanders.
- Moderator: Eric Luedtke
- Speakers:
- Natalia Sanchez, Outdoor Recreation Planner, National Park Service’s (NPS) Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program (also featured as a panelist for ESLC’s Regional Trail Network Workshop)
- Dan Hudson, Trail Manager, Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources (also featured as a panelist for ESLC’s Regional Trail Network Workshop)
- Kate Patton, Executive Director, Lower Shore Land Trust
To learn more about and register for the conference, visit this page.