This week, the last week of 2022, we kick off 2023 and North Carolina's year of the Trail. We talk with Beth Heile with the Great Trails State Coalition, a nonprofit created to promote trails in North Carolina, and we talk a little about our work with the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources' Hometown Strong initiative to promote trails in North Carolina's 80 rural counties. This week, we have a special emphasis on the start of Year of the Trail with a plethora of First Day Outings and how you can find out about them.

Some helpful links related to this week's show:

• Great Trails State Coalition. Learn more about the Coalition and their work by clicking here.
• The Great Trails State Coalition is keeping a comprehensive calendar of all Year of the Trail events, including Sunday's First Day Outings. You can find it here.
• Interested in taking a First Day hike at one of North Carolina's State Parks? Check out the 47 First Day events at State Parks by going here. 
• Mention is made in the podcast of North Carolina's 12 State Trails. Learn more about those by going here.
• Finally, if you'd like to join us on New Year's Day, we'll be working with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission's NC Bird Atlas program and N.C. State Parks on a Birding and a Hike First Day adventure in Wilkesboro and at Rendezvous Mountain State Park. Learn more about this event and sign up to join us here.