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IMBA and Subaru Celebrate Trail Care Program Milestone
Mountain Bike Group Leads 1,000th Trail Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Avery Stonich
Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew coordinator
avery@imba.com
Milwaukee, July 9, 2003 -- The International Mountain Bicycling
Association along with Subaru of America, Inc. today announced the 1,000th
trail project of the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew, marking a major
milestone for the program. Now in its seventh year, the Trail Care Crew
program has trained more than 35,000 people in sustainable trailbuilding
techniques and logged half a million miles of coast-to-coast travel in its
official Subaru vehicles.
The 1,000th trail project is scheduled for July 12th at the John Muir
Trail in Wisconsin's Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest. The event is
open to the public. It includes an IMBA Trailbuilding School from 8:30
a.m. to 4:00 p.m., followed by a celebration from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. with a
cookout and prize
giveaways.
The award-winning Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew program includes two
full-time, professional teams of trail experts who travel North America
year-round, leading IMBA Trailbuilding Schools, meeting with government
officials and land managers, and working with IMBA-affiliated groups to
improve mountain
biking opportunities.
The Crews travel in 2003 Subaru Outbacks provided by Subaru of America --
the company that has been IMBA's leading sponsor since 1997.
"The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew has worked wonders for America's trails,"
said IMBA Executive Director Tim Blumenthal. "Mountain bikers, hikers,
equestrians and other trail users have all benefited from this innovative
program."
Since the program's inception in 1997, the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews
have led trail projects in all 50 states and 15 foreign countries,
teaching trail enthusiasts how to build trails that last and require
minimal maintenance.
This helps reduce trail damage, protects the environment, and enhances
visitor enjoyment.
The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews have contributed to the design and
construction of more than 5,000 miles of trail. By empowering local
volunteers to do trailwork, IMBA helps local government agencies and land
managers who have limited funding for trail construction and maintenance.
Trail Care Crew members Scott Linnenburger and Aaryn Kay are leading
events in Milwaukee July 10-13, including numerous trail assessments, two
full-day IMBA Trailbuilding Schools, and a slideshow about IMBA's work
around the world. Prior to joining IMBA, Scott was an environmental
consultant, focusing on wetlands and water quality issues. Aaryn was the
Director of Community Education at Duke University's Center for
Environmental Education. Scott and Aaryn both hold master degrees in
environmental management from Duke University.
For more information about the weekend's events, contact Marty Weigel at
Mweigel@wi.rr.com.
For more information about the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew program and a
complete list of dates and locations, go to
www.imba.com.
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy
Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered near Philadelphia, the company
markets and distributes all-wheel drive Subaru vehicles, parts and
accessories through a
network of nearly 600 dealers across the United States. Subaru of America,
Inc., is the only car company that offers symmetrical all-wheel drive as
standard equipment on every vehicle in its product line. Subaru has been
the best-selling import wagon in America for the past 20 years, based on
R.L. Polk & Company new vehicle retail registration statistics calendar
year-end
2002.
About IMBA
The International Mountain Bicycling Association creates, enhances and
preserves trail opportunities for mountain bikers worldwide. Since 1988,
IMBA has been bringing out the best in mountain biking by encouraging
low-impact riding, volunteer trailwork participation, cooperation among
different trail
user groups, and innovative trail management solutions. IMBA's worldwide
network includes 32,000 individual members, more than 450 bicycle clubs,
and 400 corporate partners and dealer members.
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