Mathew Nelson - Executive Director, Arizona Trail
Thankful to connect with Matt recently. I reached out to him because I thought he would be a great person to connect the complexities that go into allowing all of us outdoor enthusiasts, our spaces and places to do the things we love. We go over a bit of his background and how he found his way yo Arizona, and to the position of Executive Director, what that entails, the complexity of maintaining and finishing the Arizona Trail. Where funding for the AZ trail comes from, how it’s up kept, plans for the future, constant work that needs to be done, etc. We also cover a bit if where funding at the national level comes from for public lands like National forests, wilderness areas, National parks, state trust lands, native/reservation land, private lands - how important it is to understand this and contribute in your own way, not taking things for grated. Matt has been the Executive Director since 2012, written hundreds of articles on it, wrote the book complete guide to the trail, among many other roles as Executive Director. He’s also driving around in a Toyota Tacoma ! Which was donated by the Valley Toyota Dealers, so shoutout to those folks helping support and connect all types of outdoor recreation activities. Below you’ll find the links to the podcast/interview - but also please dive into the info regarding public lands and where funding comes from, be informed, supporting of keeping them available for years and decades to come, and stay involved.
ARIZONA TRAIL
https://aztrail.org
(learn more and explore the site, including maps, meet ups, volunteering, upcoming events, donating, tips, gear, and much more)
BLM -
History - https://www.blm.gov/about/history/timeline
Budget - https://www.blm.gov/about/budget
How BLM manages - https://www.blm.gov/about/how-we-manage
STATE TRUST LAND
Beneficiaries- https://land.az.gov/our-agency-mission/beneficiaries
Map of land - https://land.az.gov/sites/default/files/media/state.pdf
Auctions - https://land.az.gov/reports-notices
Applications// permits - https://land.az.gov/applications-permits
WILDERNESS designation
Mission - https://www.wilderness.org/our-mission-timeline
FAQ’s - https://www.wilderness.org/articles/article/wilderness-designation-faqs
NATIONAL FOREST SERVICE
(https://www.fs.usda.gov)
Managing land - https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land
Laws and regulations of NFS - https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/regulations-policies/laws-regulations
Budget - https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/budget-performance
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE (https://www.nps.gov/)
about - https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/management.htm
Budget - https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/budget.htm
Laws on national parks - https://www.nps.gov/subjects/legal/national-park-service-laws-up-to-1933.htm
LWCF - land and water conservation fund
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/lwcf/index.htm (gov website )
https://www.lwcfcoalition.com (watchdog site)
https://www.lwcfcoalition.com/tools
Volunteer // donation //
Arizona Game and Fish department-
https://www.azgfd.com
PITTMAN AND ROBERTSON WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT -
(Short video explanation- https://youtu.be/sTJWMlH5QpQ )
https://legcounsel.house.gov/Comps/Pittman-robertson%20Wildlife%20Restoration%20Act.pdf
https://www.fws.gov/laws/lawsdigest/FAWILD.HTML
Dingell - Johnson Act - https://www.fws.gov/laws/lawsdigest/FASPORT.HTML ) similar time P-R but for fishing
( article showing decline in hunter/fishers and impact) -https://www.npr.org/2018/03/20/593001800/decline-in-hunters-threatens-how-u-s-pays-for-conservation
Native American Land - https://www.bia.gov/bia
Indian land Tenure/history - https://iltf.org/land-issues/history/
Indian land issues - https://iltf.org/land-issues/issues/
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
Stay Connected
