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The Greater Yellowstone Trail - A New Rail-to-Trail in the Northwest

John R Nofsinger

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With more than 20 years of experience in academia, Dr. John R. Nofsinger teaches finance and business courses at the University of Alaska Anchorage, where he holds the Seward Endowed Chair in Finance. Away from his professional responsibilities, Dr. John R. Nofsinger enjoys cycling, particularly on rails-to-trails paths.

The rails-to-trails initiative is dedicated to the repurposing of old, abandoned railroad lines into vibrant pathways for jogging, cycling, mountain biking, and multiple other uses. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), a nonprofit formed in 1986, leads the way in converting several thousands of miles of trails into valuable recreational spaces, which opens up opportunities to the public for exercise and greater wellness.

In a recent press release, RTC announced that new funding will help open the Greater Yellowstone Trail, which will join the Wyoming Pathways group of trails. The Greater Yellowstone Trail will stretch across 180 miles of terrain, and sections of the pathway will run through Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Plans for the trail commenced in 2015, and construction is planned through 2018.