Champlain Area Trails (CATS) is a non-profit organization, begun in 2009, which creates and maintains hiking and cross-country ski trails in the Champlain Valley that link communities, connect people with nature, and promote economic vitality. In its short history, CATS has developed eight miles of trails that when added to existing trails, gets it half-way toward the long-envisioned goal of a 30-mile trail loop between Westport and Essex. CATS will extend its trails to neighboring towns and eventually connect them to trails in the Adirondack Mountains, Vermont, and Quebec.
Enjoyment of CATS’ trails depends on conserving the Valley’s scenic vistas, natural areas, farms, businesses, and communities. The CATS Board recognized this and formed The Champlain Valley Conservation Partnership Project (CVCP) as a program for CATS to protect farms, forests, and clean water, promote local farming, sustainable forestry, and historic hamlets, and develop outdoor education and outdoor recreation-based tourism initiatives. Thus, CATS focuses on trails and through its CVCP program, it conserves land, increases understanding of nature, promotes outdoor recreation, and enhances economic vitality.
The Champlain Valley is a beautiful landscape of farms, forests, low mountains, charming hamlets, and breathtaking views. Unfortunately, the Valley has little public land and few hiking trails which combine to limit the economic benefits and pleasures of outdoor recreation. CATS – CVCP is addressing this problem by developing trails, conserving land, and promoting tourism, local farms, and businesses.
The CATS – CVCP initiatives that create new trails, protect natural habitat and scenic vistas, and promote outdoor recreation will enhance the local economy because visitors, newcomers, and long-term residents are attracted to areas that have enjoyable trails, conserved habitats, innovative farms, scenic beauty, and appealing hamlets, especially when they are marketed creatively and effectively. In sum, the combined effect of CATS - CVCP actions will lead toward its goals of connecting people to nature, protecting natural habitat and scenic vistas, and promoting economic vitality.
If you support saving land and making trails in the Champlain Valley, please make a donation.
