Coastwalk California has been selected to receive a prestigious and valuable technical assistance grant  from the National Park Service.   The NPS will be assisting Coastwalk in developing  a network of California Coastal Trail (CCT) stakeholders under Coastwalk’s umbrella. This network of “Coastwalk Associates” will include local and regional agencies, land trusts and volunteer-based trail organizations that own and/or manage segments of the CCT.  With the help of the NPS and the identified Associates, Coastwalk will identify specific annual goals that will advance the maintenance and operation of the existing CCT and promote completion of the trail. Additionally, the NPS will assist in determining the kind of information and support services that will be needed by the Associates to better maintain the CCT, plan for its future and engage the public in its support.    Coastwalk will be working closely with its special partners in this project,  the State Coastal Conservancy, California State Parks and the California Coastal Commission.

“Receiving this help from the NPS will have a huge impact on the future of the California Coastal Trail,” said Una Glass, Executive Director of Coastwalk California. “Bringing all the stakeholders to the table on an ongoing basis and providing a forum for regular communication will go a long way toward better long term regional planning, advance completion of the CCT and ensure its stewardship.  With today’s limited resources it is imperative that stakeholders maximize the resources that are available through collaboration.”

Coastwalk staff is busy developing a detailed work plan for this exciting new project with National Park Service staff and Coastal Conservancy staff.  The project will include outreach to CCT stakeholders throughout California’s coastal counties so stay tuned – we may be calling on you!