Stewards VISTA: WV Trail Y1

WV TRAIL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to strengthening West Virginia¿s communities and local economies through the development and promotion of non-motorized trails. Our mission is to bring people together across county lines to build trail systems that support recreation, tourism, and quality of life. . WV TRAIL works to bridge these gaps by developing clear messaging, supporting regional collaboration, and advocating for common-sense trail investment.

Through strategic use of a centralized website, social media outreach, and regional workshops, WV TRAIL promotes shared goals and encourages local leadership in trail development. This fall, regional trail planning workshops will unite community stakeholders to refine a renewed statewide trails plan. One focus area is the Little Kanawha River Trail (LKRT)¿a multi-county initiative involving Braxton, Gilmer, Calhoun, and Wirt Counties. The LKRT seeks designation as an official Flat Water Trail by the WV Flat-Water Trail Commission and aims to establish both water and surface trails that serve as long-term assets for the region.

This VISTA project will build local capacity by developing outreach tools, coordinating communication among counties, and helping organize regional meetings to guide this effort. By developing leadership, strengthening partnerships, and supporting grassroots planning, the member will help ensure that these trail systems provide lasting value to the communities they connect¿through tourism, recreation, and renewed economic opportunity.