<div><strong>9/1/26 Fundraiser Update:</strong>
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<div>We’re still raising funds to match the $25K Recreational Trails Program grant to make Red &amp; Scotch Tape climate resilient and rideable for years to come, rain or shine. And every bit helps!
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<div>The rebuild kicks off end of September and our friends at L&amp;D Trailworks are taking on the project.
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<div><strong>What we've accomplished so far:</strong>
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<li>S’more/Campfire climb rebuild. This important climb is now in great shape thanks to the hard work of L&amp;D Trailworks, our trail crew &amp; support from our community.
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<li>Track dump purchase: We purchased a new track dump and our crew has already put it to work moving dirt and tackling projects across the network and Little River State Park.
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<li>Our trail crew has grown! We now have our trails director working on the trails full time and Ian, a part-time trail crew member. They’ve already gotten a lot accomplished this year!
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<div>Making these trails resilient to weather, withstand heavy traffic and remain rideable for years to come wouldn't be possible without the incredible support or our community and generous donors. Thank you for helping us build trails that will last!
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<div>Chip in <strong>$20 today </strong>and keep the riding strong, rain or shine!
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<div>-WATA
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<div><strong>Operation Ride Your Bike; Help Us Make Our Trails Climate Resilient.</strong>
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<div>This spring we opened our upper trails a full month later than usual. One thing is clear: our trails weren’t built for the extreme weather we’re facing now. Vermont has seen<strong> 33% more rain</strong> this spring and more severe storms each year. Add in high ridership, and the trails are showing the strain — more puddles, more erosion, more closures.
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<div>That’s why we’re launching <strong>Operation Ride Your Bike</strong> : WATA’s Climate Resilience Campaign to rebuild and maintain trails that can handle the storms, so you can ride no matter the weather.
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<div>To kick things off, we’re proud to announce WATA has been awarded a <strong>$25,000 Recreational Trails Program grant</strong> to <strong>rehabilitate Red and Scotch Tape </strong>at Perry Hill in 2026.
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<div>Here’s the catch: we must <strong>match the funds</strong> to unlock the grant and that’s where you come in.
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<div>Our goal is to not only match the RTP grant but also raise money to future-proof our trails  so we can ride more days, rain or shine!
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<div>We’ve already raised<strong> $57,500 of our $85,000 goal.</strong> Your donation today will help close the gap and unlock critical funding.
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<div><strong> Your support will fund:</strong>
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<li><strong>Campfire Climb rebuild </strong>– <strong>Completed!</strong>
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<div>$32,000 invested to repair July 2024 storm damage and rebuild the main climb to a more sustainable, storm-ready standard.
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<li><strong>Essential trail equipment </strong>– <strong>Track Dump Purchased!</strong>
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<div>A track dump and plate compactor ($3,600 total; $500 already pledged) to expand our trail crew’s capacity and ease the load at volunteer nights.
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<li><strong>Scotch &amp; Red Tape rebuild </strong>– Coming September 2026.
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<div>These upper trails are often closed due to flooding. A $25,000 RTP grant is secured, but we must raise a $25,000 match to move forward.
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<li><strong>Expanded trail crew for 2026 </strong>- <strong>Part time crew member added!</strong>
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<div>Matching these funds will free up our budget to expand crew hours, improving both sustainability and the riding experience across our networks.
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<div>Help us reach our goal. Chip in <strong>$20 today </strong>and keep the riding strong, rain or shine!
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<div>Thank you for being part of the WATA community and making this vision possible.
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<div>—WATA
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Anonymous

John Klesch

Donald Laub

Nick Hart

Connor Smith

Padraic Phelan

George Nablo

Steve Guild

Ian Stewart

Ken Peterson

Leonard Graham

Scott Geba

Abby Sessock

Al Marsella

Joe Bourassa

Support WATA in Making The Trails Climate Resillient!

Support WATA in Making The Trails Climate Resillient!

Still $26,113 to go. Help us build momentum.