Tennessee Greenways and Trails to Hold Annual Forum April 2-4

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Greenways and Trails program will hold its annual forum at East Tennessee State University April 2 – 4, 2009, which will be hosted by Johnson City and the Commissioner’s Council on Greenways and Trails.

The three-day networking and skill-building conference, titled “Connect with Tennessee,” will be held at ETSU’s D. P. Culp Center in Johnson City and will feature expert presenters from across the country in addition to a variety of diverse field trips and educational sessions. Educational sessions will include topics such as, improving community health through greenways and trails, the economic impact of greenways and trails on local communities, Off-Highway Vehicle park development, funding and technical resources, historic trails, and long-range planning utilizing the new Greenways and Trails statewide plan. 

Dan Burden, founder of Walkable Communities, Inc., will serve as the keynote speaker on April 3. Nationally recognized as the authority on the development and promotion of alternative transportation and sustainable communities, Burden has thirty years’ experience as a civic innovator and is recognized for his efforts to create better places to live, work and play. 

“This forum is a great opportunity to learn more about the benefits of Tennessee’s greenways and trails and the positive impact they have on communities across the state,” said Greenways and Trails Program Coordinator Robert Richards. “We are especially excited about Dan Burden’s keynote address and honored that he will be sharing his expertise with the group.” 

Advanced registration received prior to March 6 is $75. Registration received after March 7 is $100. Registration fees include full access to the event, including educational sessions, one of three exciting field trips, a Thursday evening reception at the Tipton Haynes Historic Site, and lunch on Friday and Saturday. For hotel accommodations, conference attendees will receive a special rate of $70 by calling the Carnegie Hotel in Johnson City at (423) 979-6413 before March 3.

More information on the “Connect with Tennessee” forum, including a list of speakers, an official event brochure, event sponsors and registration forms is available at: www.tn.gov/environment/recreation/#gtforum.

The annual forum also kicks off Greenways and Trails statewide “Connect with Tennessee” marketing campaign, designed to promote the use of Tennessee’s outstanding greenways and trails. To access the Greenways and Trails Web site and the new statewide plan, please visit: www.tn.gov/environment/recreation/greentrails.shtml.