The Continental Divide Trail Coalition has released a new report on how the Continental Divide Trail can help us reach ambitious landscape conservation goals along the Divide
GOLDEN, CO (December 16, 2021) — This week, the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) released their newest report titled, Connecting Across the Continent: How the Continental Divide Trail Helps Us Reach 30×30. The report details how the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) can function as a setting to discuss how cooperative stewardship of the Divide can protect important biodiversity and ecosystems, increase equity and accessibility in the outdoors, and elevate locally-led climate solutions.
Earlier this year, the Biden administration released an initiative called “Conserving and Preserving America the Beautiful,” which outlined a strategy to address the climate crisis by protecting 30% of lands and waters by 2030 (known as 30×30), increasing access for and strengthening consultation with underserved communities, and fostering the next generation of conservation stewards. In response, CDTC is engaging with agencies, partners, and community members to continue to reimagine what stewardship of lands and waters looks like and how we can innovatively use resources, like the National Trail System, to meet these aspirational goals.
“The future of the Continental Divide depends on stewardship that is equal parts cooperative and adaptive,” says Teresa Martinez (she/her), Executive Director of CDTC. “A locally-led strategy, informed by Indigenous knowledge and the best available science, will ensure that landscape connectivity and climate solutions benefit those on the frontlines of the climate crisis, who all have a vested interest in land, air, and water protections that preserve the health and wellbeing of their communities.”
Like other trails in the National Trail System, the CDT was created to conserve critical environments and provide access to one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world, connecting multiple national forests, parks, monuments, and other lands and waters, both public and private. The result is an almost 3,100 mile-long corridor spanning five states, from the border with Mexico to the border with Canada, in which the natural, cultural, and historic resources of the Divide are protected and accessible.
“The CDT is far more than the actual path you walk, ride, or explore on. It is part of a far bigger landscape that is home to not only millions of people in rural and urban communities, but also hundreds of animal and plant species, some of which you may never even see in your time on the trail,” says Lauren Hendricks (she/her), GIS Program Manager at CDTC. “By thinking of the trail as a landscape, composed of an interconnected network of natural systems and human infrastructure, we can work to protect this valuable habitat while also providing access to outdoor opportunities for people of all skill levels and backgrounds.”
Since the CDT was established in 1978, agency staff, private landowners, gateway communities, volunteers, recreationists, and local trail organizations have worked together to steward the Divide and complete the CDT, which is currently 95% complete. Recent events, like the U.S. Forest Service’s identification of the CDT as the only National Scenic Trail that is a Top 15 Trail Priority, and the CDT Completion Act (H.R. 5118) introduced by Rep. Neguse (CO) and Rep. Fernandez (NM) in Congress, have continued to strengthen the momentum for the CDT’s protection and completion.
“The America the Beautiful Initiative is filled with ambitious goals and exciting strategies, and CDTC wants to ensure our trail community, including recreationists, partners, Gateway Communities, business owners, and others, know about this effort and have a part in leading the stewardship of the Divide,” says L Fisher (they/them), Trail Policy Manager at CDTC. “We hope that this report will educate members, communities, and decision makers on the unique nature of the Divide landscape, and the intimate connection that the CDT has with the land, waters, histories, and people along the Continental Divide. This moment of the climate crisis calls for innovative, community-led solutions, and the CDT and our National Trail Systems are some of the best tools we have to help us to collaboratively reimagine what connectivity and conservation stewardship looks like for future generations.”
As stakeholders continue to look for further guidance and action on the part of the federal government regarding Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful, groups like CDTC are continuing to elevate strategies from local leaders and communities along the Divide with resources like the Connecting Across the Continent report, recognizing that climate solutions should come from, and benefit those, who stand to be the most impacted by climate change.
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About the Continental Divide Trail
The CDT is one of the world’s premiere long-distance trails, stretching 3,100 miles from Mexico to Canada along the Continental Divide. Designated by Congress in 1978, the CDT is the highest, most challenging and most remote of the 11 National Scenic Trails. It provides recreational opportunities ranging from hiking to horseback riding to hunting for thousands of visitors each year. While 95% of the CDT is located on public land, approximately 150 miles are still in need of protection.
About the Continental Divide Trail Coalition
The CDTC was founded in 2012 by volunteers and recreationists hoping to provide a unified voice for the Trail. Working hand-in-hand with the U.S. Forest Service and other federal land management agencies, the CDTC is a non-profit partner supporting stewardship of the CDT. The mission of the CDTC is to complete, promote and protect the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, a world-class national resource. For more information, please visit continentaldividetrail.org.
