Talk:National Scenic Trail

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 This article is part of WikiProject Backpacking, an attempt to better organize information in articles related to backpacking. If you would like to participate, you can edit the article attached to this page, or visit the project page, where you can join the project and/or contribute to the discussion.
This article is part of WikiProject Hiking Trails, an attempt to better organize information in articles related to hiking trails. If you would like to participate, you can edit the article attached to this page, or visit the project page, where you can join the project and/or contribute to the discussion.

Is there anyone else out there with an interest in these trails? Additionally, most of the trails need some sort of page (or at least a stub). Please help. User:Ajdecandis

To do:

  • Extend the intro paragraph. Can probably take some of the verbage out of the original act. Once this is done, the stub tag can probably be removed.
  • How does it look if we double column the list(s) of trails?
  • Add some history. Why was the act created? What was the political climate? Was Silent Spring and the rising environmental movement a factor?
  • How has the NST system evolved over the years?
  • Future. What are the new trails that are being planned? Is there any danger to the system due to changing environmental policies?
  • More?

Ajdecandis 14:07, 27 Jul 2004 (UTC)

Hello Ajdecandis. I know there are a number of editors who contribute to national scenic trails articles. Peruse the pages of the two Wikiprojects shown above & leave notes there. However, you'll probably find that edits--especially major revampings--don't happen overnight. Anyone with the time and energy to do that sort of work is welcome to (see WP:Bold). Some short answers to your questions:
  • Please go right ahead and edit the article as you see fit, keeping within Wikipedia's style guide as best as possible (WP:Style).
  • Double column sounds fine.
  • The national trails system act has its roots in the Appalachian Trail. Investigating that trail will reveal its origins.
  • Both the NST and Silent Spring are both products of their time and contributers to the mindset of the time. I believe Silent Spring came before the NST act, however, the A.T. came before Silent Spring and draws on an older environmental consciousness. So, you're looking at early 20th century influences and factors such as the New Deal, Benton MacKaye, the Civilian Conservation Corps, Aldo Leopold, John Muir, and Teddy Roosevelt, among many others.
  • Many trails within the NST system are "under development". The National Park Service maintains a website on the NST system. Another place to look for information would be at the website of the Appalachian Long Distance Hiker's Association, which is a pretty good clearinghouse of long distance trails nationwide.
  • As far as danger to the system, the Bush administration has certainly had a regressive impact on environmental policy in the U.S. which has indirectly affected the NST act. You should check the news archives of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Appalachian Mountain Club, and the Sierra Club, among others, for mention of specific instances of conflict and related lawsuits against the Bush admin.

Best, --Pgagnon999 (talk) 04:51, 6 February 2008 (UTC)