Lydia Martin is the Vice Chair of the Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee whose passion for the natural world empowers her to engage diverse audiences to improve land and water resources.

Lydia’s interest in trails and recreation was prompted by an early interest in studying native plants, observing wildlife, and exploring trails in the Pennsylvania woods.

Being a member of the Pa. Trails Advisory Committee allows Lydia to see how the state is working with local municipalities, elected officials, community partners, and trail advocates across Pennsylvania to promote equitable access to trails and recreational opportunities for diverse people.

As a member of the committee, she is part of that process and can share her voice to trail and recreation conversations and positive changes that benefit communities.

“I have had the privilege of learning about new trails firsthand and share in the passion and excitement for the development and expansion of all kinds of trails,” Lydia says. “The Pa. Trails Advisory Committee’s work helps communities and visitors connect through trails and spend more time outdoors. Options abound to explore the more than 12,000 miles of trails in Pennsylvania.”

Lydia represented the committee for the 2020 Ghost Town Trail of the Year nomination and enjoyed visiting the 46-mile rail trail to learn about the history of the area. [Read more here.]

“It was a rewarding experience to see the momentum and excitement of the community, municipal and elected officials, and trail volunteers who value trail development and improvements in Cambria and Indiana Counties,” she says.

Lydia is a persistent conservationist, serving as the Green Infrastructure Coordinator for the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, as well as serving as a Pennsylvania Master Naturalist.

For dedicating herself to educating the community about sustainability and environmental policy, she was awarded the PennFuture Women of Environmental Education award. [Read more here.]

Lydia understands that connecting communities in any environment -- urban, rural, and suburban areas -- is important for health and well-being, and that is where trails play such a valuable role.

Trails and recreation opportunities provide a critical outlet to people who want to bike, hike, walk, picnic, and spend time wildlife watching as a way to relieve tension, manage stress, learn about a region’s natural history, and just have fun alone or with their family and friends.

By getting involved in community trail building and planning, Lydia says trail users can have a voice in influencing decisions that support their community and local municipalities.

“Those decisions could be advocating for a bike rack, mile markers, trail signage in more than one language, or prioritizing invasive plant removal along trail corridors and parking areas,” Lydia says. “To be heard, trail users from all walks of life need to get involved, volunteer, and advocate for changes to be implemented for trails and recreational places that are public assets in communities across Pennsylvania.”

Know of a good natured Pennsylvanian who is passionate about outdoor recreation and/or conservation that we should feature? Contact DCNR by sending email to: ra-resource@pa.gov to nominate someone.

Visit Explore PA Trails for information on trails throughout the state and Get Outdoors PA for local recreation opportunities.

For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource newsletter, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog,  Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

(Reprinted from the Sept. 30, 2020 DCNR Resource newsletter.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

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[Posted: Oct. 1, 2020]

10/5/2020