Specialized Conservation Ambassador Program
The Specialized Conservation Ambassadors Program has launched ahead of Earth Day. Specialized is supporting trail builders and stewards the same way as their athletes. And, doing so as part of Soil Searching program and conservation efforts.
The global initiative recognizes, celebrates and supports the trail builders. They help create and maintain mountain biking trails around the world.
Since 2018, Soil Searching’s goal is to support these unsung heroes by empowering them to not only do trail work, but to educate riders at the local level about the benefits of maintained trails, and to teach the impact that nature, certain riding techniques and the climate has on these trail networks.
The program has conducted over 250 dig days across the world, from the birthplace of mountain biking in Marin County, California, to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Minami Alps in Japan.
Specialized Conservation Ambassadors Program Impact on Sustainability
Soil Searching has a very real sustainability impact, including but not limited to:
- Removing invasive plant species
- Replanting indigenous plant species
- Repairing fire damage
- Mitigating soil erosion
Those bullet points all resonate with me in the Methow Valley. That’s where the trail builders are repairing the damage from last year’s wildfires. Most of the trails are open with more work to do.