| 07/08/2003 | Mountain Bike Group Leads 1000th Trail Project
The International Mountain Bicycling Association along with Subaru of America, Inc. today announced the 1000th trail project of the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew, marking a major milestone for the program. Now in its seventh year, the Trail Care Crew program has trained more than 35,000 people in sustainable trailbuilding techniques and logged half a million miles of coast-to-coast travel in its official Subaru vehicles.
The 1000th trail project is scheduled for July 12th at the John Muir Trail in Wisconsin's Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest. The event is open to the public. It includes an IMBA Trailbuilding School from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., followed by a celebration from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. with a cookout and prize giveaways.
The award-winning Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew program includes two full-time, professional teams of trail experts who travel North America year-round, leading IMBA Trailbuilding Schools, meeting with government officials and land managers, and working with IMBA-affiliated groups to improve mountain biking opportunities.
The Crews travel in 2003 Subaru Outbacks provided by Subaru of America -- the company that has been IMBA's leading sponsor since 1997.
"The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew has worked wonders for America's trails," said IMBA Executive Director Tim Blumenthal. "Mountain bikers, hikers, equestrians and other trail users have all benefited from this innovative program."
Since the program's inception in 1997, the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews have led trail projects in all 50 states and 15 foreign countries, teaching trail enthusiasts how to build trails that last and require minimal maintenance. This helps reduce trail damage, protects the environment, and enhances visitor enjoyment.
The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews have contributed to the design and construction of more than 5,000 miles of trail. By empowering local volunteers to do trailwork, IMBA helps local government agencies and land managers who have limited funding for trail construction and maintenance.
Trail Care Crew members Scott Linnenburger and Aaryn Kay are leading events in Milwaukee July 10-13, including numerous trail assessments, two full-day IMBA Trailbuilding Schools, and a slideshow about IMBA's work around the world. Prior to joining IMBA, Scott was an environmental consultant, focusing on wetlands and water quality issues. Aaryn was the Director of Community Education at Duke University's Center for Environmental Education. Scott and Aaryn both hold master degrees in environmental management from Duke University.
For more information about the weekend's events, contact Marty Weigel at Mweigel@wi.rr.com.
For more information about the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew program and a complete list of dates and locations, go to www.imba.com.
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered near Philadelphia, the company markets and distributes all-wheel drive Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of nearly 600 dealers across the United States. Subaru of America, Inc., is the only car company that offers symmetrical all-wheel drive as standard equipment on every vehicle in its product line. Subaru has been the best-selling import wagon in America for the past 20 years, based on R.L. Polk & Company new vehicle retail registration statistics calendar year-end 2002.
About IMBA
The International Mountain Bicycling Association creates, enhances and preserves trail opportunities for mountain bikers worldwide. Since 1988, IMBA has been bringing out the best in mountain biking by encouraging low-impact riding, volunteer trailwork participation, cooperation among different trail user groups, and innovative trail management solutions. IMBA's worldwide network includes 32,000 individual members, more than 450 bicycle clubs, and 400 corporate partners and dealer members.www.imba.org
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