The Sheltowee Trace Association

The Gary Rue Access - Trail Maintenance Fund was established to honor our friend, fellow End to Ender Gary Rue, who passed away suddenly in September 2013. Gary was an avid hiker, coach, sports official who believed in the work of the STA. Your tax-deductible contribution to the Rue Fund will 100% go toward the continued maintenance efforts of the STA on the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail and our work reducing the number of road miles within the trail corridor. Thank you so much for your help and support.

More information about The Sheltowee Trace Association www.sheltoweetrace.org : A 501(c)3 non-profit formed to protect, preserve, and promote the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail as a significant national resource for the enjoyment of hikers, bikers, and equestrians, and for the value that wild and scenic lands provide to all people.

Almost 40  years ago one man had the vision to establish a long-distance hiking trail in the Daniel Boone Forest that would run the entire length of the Forest. Following on the growing popularity of the Appalachian Trail, Forest Service employee Verne Orndorff patched together existing trials, some new trails, and the back country roads to build the 287 mile Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail.

Today each of us benefits from the visionary work of Verne and his long time friend Doug Billips. Verne has gone now but he leaves behind a tremendous "legacy" for all us to protect, preserve and promote to make sure the Trace is there for generations to come.

Established in 2016 following the passing of Trace founder, Verne Orndorff, The Legacy Fund is an endowment fund were your donations will be held in trust and the interest earned on the endowment will be used to continue the work and vision of Verne.

The recent heavy rains produced flooding and the wind and ice sent trees falling all over the Sheltowee Trace.  Sadly, the bridge across Hawk Creek, a suspension bridge that has been there for many years is a casualty to the storms.  A large tree fell directly on the bridge and completely crushed the bridge and it seems snapped off the south suspension poles.  This will be a major job cleaning up the area and getting a new bridge built.  Replacement will take many volunteers hours and several thousand dollars.

As we begin to discuss replacing the bridge, we are asking for your help in raising the funds that will be needed.  We anticipate at least $3500 will be needed for the wood and poles to put it back the way it was originally built.  Cost could be higher. We know that this may not be the only bridge down or damaged.  So there is no real limit.  We pledge that any funds given for this project not used will go to repairs on other bridges of which we know of 4 small bridge that now await repair.  So please give to the bridge fund here. 

While the Forest Service and the STA work to get the plans in place we know our members and friends of the Trace will come through.

When we get to needing volunteers we will be in touch.  For the moment we hope you will join us and help get this bridge rebuilt.  

We begin right now with a $1000.00 matching grant.  Every dollar raised in the first $1,000.00 will be matched dollar for dollar.  Give today. We thank you.

The board of directors of the Sheltowee Trace Association has created  a fund within the STA that would honor Karen and David Martin and their lifelong passion for the outdoors and for encouraging users young and old to get out into the forest. 

The Karen and David Martin Outdoor Recreation Fund is accepting donations in honor of the Martin.  Karen is a member of the STA Hiker Challenge Class of 2017.

Donations will support programs that will introduce boys and girls, families who have limited or no experience to the amazing experiences awaiting in the forest. 

Participates will join outdoor opportunities that are structured, designed to introduce participants to the Sheltowee Trace in the Daniel Boone National Forest and the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. An example would be our Introduction to Backpacking Program where beginners, the inexperienced are taken into the woods for a weekend and are taught the basics of backpacking and surviving in the woods.

More information about The Sheltowee Trace Association: A 501(c)3 non-profit formed to protect, preserve, and promote the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail as a significant national resource for the enjoyment of hikers, bikers, and equestrians, and for the value that wild and scenic lands provide to all people.

The annual Giving Tuesday program kicks off the Sheltowee Trace Association's year end fund drive.  Thanks to generous supporters this year we are able to secure a dollar for dollar donation up to $3,500.00.  You gift will be matched dollar for dollar. 

How will it help?  For 11 years your donations have impacted our ability to continue to maintain the Trace trail, repair bridges, replace signs, repair steps and continue to open access to the Trace for everyone.   Your donations have significantly helped us lengthen the Trace into new communities. Your donations have helped us continue to expand our Outdoor Recreation Programs to bring more hikers, bikers, horseback riders to the Trace in a responsible way.  Your donations have helped us continue to grow our Legacy Fund and insure that the STA continues the good work far into the future. 

Thanks in advance for your contribution to the continued work of the STA.  We look forward to seeing you on the Trace real soon. 

More information about The Sheltowee Trace Association: A 501(c)3 non-profit formed to protect, preserve, and promote the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail as a significant national resource for the enjoyment of hikers, bikers, and equestrians, and for the value that wild and scenic lands provide to all people.

Steve Barbour
Executive Director, STA

Hiker Challenge participants and those who ride the STA van to and from the Trace know how vital our van is to the success of our programs.  We average 3,000 miles a month driving the van to and from the Trace and in support of the work of the STA. 

Several years ago, the current van was donated to us and we are grateful for the generous gift.  But with the van now approaching 250,000 miles, we need to look at finding a suitable, second owner replacement that will be reliable and help us continue to see the work of the STA grow.

So in January of 2020 we are looking to replace the current van with a newer model a 2017 or 2018 that will hold up to the stress and strain of transporting backpackers and hikers to and from the Trace.

A newer van will cost around $25,000.00.  With your support we hope to raise at much of the cost as we can to insure we have the resources on hand to continue to support the amazing growth of our programs and those who look to the STA for support in their individual backpacking, hiking adventures.  

Your tax deductible gift will insure we are meeting the needs of the trail community.  

More information about The Sheltowee Trace Association: A 501(c)3 non-profit formed to protect, preserve, and promote the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail as a significant national resource for the enjoyment of hikers, bikers, and equestrians, and for the value that wild and scenic lands provide to all people.

40 years and still plenty of work to do to keep  the Sheltowee Trace NRT open and accessible for all users.  For 10 years the STA has been working with our partners, the Daniel Boone National Forest and the Big South Fork NRRA to relocate the Trace, rebuild bridges, improve directional signs and blazing.  Still everyday brings new challenges that require volunteer support and funding. 

In 2020 we need your help raising funds to replace three bridges in the Big South Fork, build that staircase over at Mouth of Laurel, continue to update and replace signs at the 68 road crossings.  We also need your help raising funds to purchase small tracks of land for future trailheads or primitive camps along the Trace for the growing number of adventurers coming on to the Trace.

If your concerned about the long term future of the Trace and the work of the STA, please consider a contribution towards the Legacy Fund and help us reach our end of year goal of $30,000.00.  Help us keep the Turtle on track by making your tax deductible contribution now before the end of the year and help us continue the success we have had for the last ten years. 
 
More information about The Sheltowee Trace Association: A 501(c)3 non-profit formed to protect, preserve, and promote the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail as a significant national resource for the enjoyment of hikers, bikers, and equestrians, and for the value that wild and scenic lands provide to all people.