Carson Valley Trails Association invites public to annual meeting and social

Connecting Communities to Nature Through a System of Trails is the theme of the Carson Valley Trails Association's annual meeting and social, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Monday at the Genoa Town Hall.

The evening will begin with displays, refreshments and no-host bar from 5:30-6 p.m.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. and includes a Genoa Foothill Trail System project update, introduction of National Park Service planner Deb Reardon, who will work with CVTA in the year ahead, an update on grants recently awarded to CVTA, and a preview of the fourth annual Hike for Health fundraising challenge.

The event is free and the public is invited. No reservations are required.

In 2008, CVTA received a $396,378 Nevada Division of State Lands Question 1 grant, which will fund approximately two-thirds of the 22-mile Genoa Foothill Trail System project in the Genoa area.

The U.S. Forest Service is conducting environmental assessment studies for this project. Vegetation studies were completed in October. CVTA needs to raise approximately $72,000 for trail construction expected to begin spring 2011.

Detailed information about the Genoa Foothill Trail System project is posted on the CVTA Web site: www.carsonvalleytrails.org.

CVTA recently was awarded a $40,000 grant from the Bingham Charitable Fund at the Community Foundation of Western Nevada to support the Genoa Foothill Trail System project.

The Community Foundation of Western Nevada is a collection of charitable funds to benefit the communities of Western Nevada. More information is available at www.nevadafund.org

CVTA also is making plans for the 4th annual Hike for Health fundraising challenge beginning April 22 with a silent and live auction event at the Genoa Town Hall.

A month-long Hike for Health Trails Challenge kicks off April 22 and continues through May 23.

The Challenge will provide hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers with an opportunity to enjoy Carson Valley's trails and raise funds to support the Genoa Foothill Trail System project.

For information about the April 22 auction, call Melissa Granat at 783-1764. For information about the Trails Challenge, call Chic and Sue Moxley at 265-0766.

The Carson Valley Trails Association is a nonprofit, volunteer-based organization. Information, www.carsonvalleytrails.org.