• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Site logo

Continental Divide Trail Coalition

  • ×
  • My Cart
  • Donate
  • Explore The Trail
    • Interactive Map
    • Closures and Notices
      • CDT Incident Report Form
    • Day and Section Hiking Resources
      • Hike Suggestions
      • CDTC Guides
    • Thruhiking Resources
      • CDT Planning guide
      • Southern Terminus Shuttle
      • Maps & Data
      • Water Report (External Link)
      • CDTC Official List of CDT Thru-Hikers
    • Equestrian Resources
    • Hike Suggestions
    • Maps & Data
    • History of the CDT
    • The CDT Experience
  • Our Work
    • Trail Protection
      • Trail Management Policies
      • Conservation
    • Outreach and Education
    • Community Engagement
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer
      • Volunteer FAQ
    • Adopt a Trail Program
    • Community Ambassadors
    • Advocacy Alerts & Policy
    • Land Manager Information
  • Gateway Communities
    • Colorado
      • Grand Lake
      • Pagosa Springs
      • Lake City
      • Leadville / Twin Lakes
      • Salida
      • South Fork
      • Steamboat Springs
    • Idaho / Montana
      • Anaconda
      • Butte
      • Helena
      • Lemhi County
      • Lincoln
    • New Mexico
      • Chama
      • Cuba
      • Grants
      • Silver City
    • Wyoming
      • Encampment / Riverside
      • Lander / South Pass City
      • Pinedale
      • Rawlins
    • Other Communities
  • News & Events
    • News
    • Events
      • Pride on the Divide – 2nd Annual
      • All Events
    • Publications
  • Donate
    • Legacy / Wills
    • CDT Endowment
    • Memorial Gifts
    • Business Memberships
  • Store
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
      • CDT Incident Report Form
    • Staff and Board
    • Employment
    • Corporate and Business Partners
    • Organizational Governance
    • Media Kit
  • My Cart
  • Donate

Collaboration at its Roots: Stewardship of the CDT

In celebration of National Trails Day on June 3, we are highlighting some of the work being done in the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) landscape. Over the past decade, the CDTC’s mission to complete, protect, and promote this iconic trail has fostered growth, connection, and community-centric conservation. CDTC is committed to creating a more inclusive model for collaboration– one that benefits all parties that recreate, reside, and utilize resources along the CDT. 

By L. Fischer (they/them) | CDTC Trail Policy Manager

One of the biggest achievements that the Continental Divide Trail Coalition celebrates every year is the ever-growing success of the shared stewardship model. This collaborative approach continues to invest and foster the resiliency of the National Trail System. As one of ten priority areas identified in the U.S. Forest Service’s (USFS) 10-Year Trail Stewardship Challenge, for trails like the CDT, the importance of the model and the prioritization of our National Trails has never been more evident. 

Year after year, CDT Gateway Communities, conservation and youth corps, recreationists, volunteers, and other members of the trail community work alongside the U.S. Forest Service and other agencies to not only complete the trail, but to actively steward the trail and connect with those enjoying the CDT Experience. CDTC celebrated this continued collaboration with all our agency partners, including USFS as well as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Park Service (NPS), and highlighted potential ways to see that collaboration continue to grow. 

Each year, Congress allocates money to the National Trail System through the agencies that manage each year. In 2023, of the almost $ 1.6 million allocated by Congress to USFS for the management of the CDT, $452,000 went to partners, with $250,000 of that going to CDTC. 

CDTC was able to leverage those funds into a 10/1 Return on Investment to the American public. Here’s how it breaks down: 

$1.8 million dollars in private dollars (grants, donations, etc.), & 

76,000 volunteer hours valued at $2.29 million (combined with partners, delivered), 

… for a combined total of almost $4.5 million. 

This means that for the $452,000 invested in the CDT by Congress,  the CDTC and trail community were able to leverage that into a value of nearly $4.5 million. CDTC was excited to celebrate this collaboration with the biggest Return on Investment to the American people on behalf of the CDT yet. That is not only an amazing accomplishment from all partners, communities, and volunteers involved, but helps us to continue to advocate for that investment from Congress to continue to grow so that together with our agencies, we can prioritize things like trail completion, landscape protection and connectivity, and outdoor access for all who want to experience the CDT. 

Get involved!

To stay informed on the latest developments impacting the CDT and learn more about opportunities to use your voice, sign-up for advocacy alerts and mark “Speaking Up for the Trail”. 

To learn more about CDTC’s priorities, you can read the full 2023 CDTC Congressional Report.

Ferns

Help Support the Continental Divide Trail Coalition

Donate Today!
Camping backpack

Visit our store!

Proceeds from all products sold through the CDTC Trail Shop support our work to complete, promote, and protect the Continental Divide Trail, so you can rep the CDT with pride knowing your dollars support the trail you love.

Visit our Trail Shop
Creek

Newsletter Sign Up

Sign up here to make sure you hear about CDTC news and events! You’ll receive our monthly e-news and other occasional trail updates.

Email me about CDT events in...

Footer

Continental Divide Trail Coalition

CDTC is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization

  • 710 10th Street, Suite 200
  • Golden, CO 80401
  • Tel: (303)996-2759
  • Homepage
  • Explore The Trail
  • Gateway Communities
  • About Us
  • Employment
  • What We Do
  • News & Events
  • Volunteer
  • Store
  • Donate
  • My Cart
  • Donate

Corporate Partners

Learn more
YETI
ULA logo in white

Commitment to Transparency


CDTC is a platinum-level GuideStar participant, demonstrating our commitment to transparency.

© 2023 Continental Divide Trail Coalition · Privacy Policy · Terms of Service · Website Designed & Developed by ThompsonStenning