The Michigan Chapter is seeking Transit 2 Trails (T2T) Scouts who will explore the current access to trails via public transit. Scouting combines online research with on-the-ground scout trips.
What is Transit to Trails (T2T)? Transit to Trails describes public transportation services and provisions that provide access to green spaces and public recreational amenities. Those amenities include hiking trails, parks, conservation areas, recreation areas, ski areas, waterways and more. Currently, 100 million people — including 28 million children — cannot safely walk to a park or green space from their homes. T2T projects are integral to undoing the transportation and environmental inequities baked into the American landscape because of policy decisions, including highways that divide communities, disinvestment and redlining. Learn more about T2T here.
Goals of the Campaign
• Outdoors for All: By 2030, we will cut the nature equity gap in half by ensuring an additional 50 million people, regardless of ability, geographic location or socioeconomic status , can exercise their human right to connect with the outdoors.
• Develop strong and highly visible Transit to Trails projects that speak specifically to the needs of communities, in partnership with Sierra Club Chapters and Outings Groups, and community-led organizations representing Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), disabled, LGBTQIA+ and other intersecting communities.
• Support or establish Transit to Trails projects through strategic implementation of existing federal funding sources and by advocating for entities such as the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Department of Transportation, Department of Agriculture Forest Service, state parks and others to include Transit to Trails efforts in their resource and transportation management plans.
• Establish a permanent source of funding for Transit to Trails projects to ensure long-term continuity and support for Transit to Trails efforts.
If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a scout and leading T2T adventures, contact Volunteer Engagement Coordinator Cecilia Garcia-Linz at volunteer@michigan.sierraclub.org.