The following snippet appeared in the October 2nd edition of USA Today in the State-by-State news section:

The effort to restore the Greeley Ponds Trail was mentioned in USA Today on October 2nd, 2012.

All press is good press. And when we’re done restoring the Greeley Ponds Trail, we can move on to the Greeley Points Trail next.

Seriously, though: the Greeley Ponds project is the first effort in the White Mountain National Forest announced by the National Forest Foundation, where the National Forest Foundation has earmarked $2 million from its Treasured Landscapes campaign.  The Treasured Landscapes program is working with 14 national forests across the country, but the White Mountain National Forest is the only one on the east-coast.

The Waterville Valley Foundation, part of the partnership to restore the Greeley Ponds Trail, has committed $20,000 to the project.  WVF treasurer Mike Furgal was on hand at the kickoff event on Wednesday, October 3rd, held at Depot Camp on the Livermore Road.  Mike joined officials from the National Forest Service and the National Forest Foundation on stage to talk about the significance of the historic trail and plans for its revival.

Waterville Valley Foundation treasurer Mike Furgal and Bill Possiel of the National Forest Foundation at Wednesday’s event

Yesterday’s Depot Camp meeting to discuss restoration efforts on the Greeley Ponds Trail was prominently featured on the WMUR late news last night.  See the video here: WMUR News Story.

Representatives from the National Forest Service, the National Forest Foundation, the Waterville Valley Athletic and Improvement Association, and the Waterville Valley Foundation will be meeting on Wednesday, October 3rd at the Greeley Ponds Trailhead to tour and inspect damage from Irene.  Members of the press will be on hand to learn more about efforts to restore the trail.

To learn more about the Greeley Ponds Trail project and share your thoughts, consider joining our Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/423895211007534/.

The Greeley Ponds Trail, destroyed by raging floodwaters from Hurricane Irene on August 28, 2011, needs your help.  Through a unique partnership between the National Forest Service, the National Forest Foundation, the Waterville Valley Athletic and Improvement Association, and the Waterville Valley Foundation, we intend to restore this important backcountry route.

No one agency can undo Irene’s damage.  That is why our partnership is so important. The Waterville Valley Foundation has committed $10,000 to the effort, and has pledged to raise an additional $10,000 from our Annual Appeal.  The WVAIA brings its local knowledge, technical expertise, and energetic volunteer force.  The National Forest Foundation, as part of its Treasured Landscapes effort, will match funds.  And, of course, the National Forest Service brings its tireless stewardship and expert manpower to an effort that is far beyond the ordinary trail maintenance a volunteer force can reasonably expect to accomplish.