Trails association invites public to annual meeting

"Connecting Communities to Nature through a System of Trails" is the theme of the Carson Valley Trails Association's annual meeting and social Monday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Genoa Town Hall.

The evening will begin with displays, refreshments and no-host bar from 5:30 to 6 p.m. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. and will include a Genoa Foothill Trail System project update, introduction of National Park Service Planner Deb Reardon who will work with CVTA in the year ahead, an update on recent grants awarded to CVTA and a preview of the fourth annual "Hike for Health" fundraising challenge.

The event is free and the public is invited. No reservations are required.

In 2008, CVTA received a $396,378 Nevada Division of State Lands Question 1 grant which will fund approximately two-thirds of the 22-mile Genoa Foothill Trail System project in the Genoa area. The U.S. Forest Service is conducting environmental assessment studies for this project. Vegetation studies were completed this past October. CVTA needs to raise approximately $72,000 for trail construction expected to begin during Spring, 2011. Detailed information about the Genoa Foothill Trail System project is posted on the CVTA Web site at www.carsonvalleytrails.org.

CVTA recently was awarded a $40,000 grant from the Bingham Charitable Fund at the Community Foundation of Western Nevada to support the Genoa Foothill Trail System project. The Community Foundation of Western Nevada is a collection of charitable funds to benefit the communities of Western Nevada. More information is available online at www.nevadafund.org.

CVTA is making plans for the fourth annual "Hike for Health" fundraising challenge beginning April 22 with a silent and live auction event at the Genoa Town Hall. A month-long "Hike for Health" trails challenge will kick off on April 22 and continue through May 23. The challenge will provide hikers, equestrians, mountain bikers and others with an opportunity to enjoy Carson Valley's trails and, at the same time, raise funds to support the Genoa Foothill Trail System project.

For more information about the April 22 auction event, contact Melissa Granat at 783-1764. For information about the trails challenge, contact Chic and Sue Moxley at 265-0766.

The Carson Valley Trails Association is a nonprofit, volunteer based organization working with partners to provide access to public lands through a recreational trail system for present and future generations to enjoy. More information about the organization is available online at www.carsonvalleytrails.org.