1969

Since 1987 the Dartmouth Club of Washington, D.C., has been giving an award to outstanding alumni in their area. This year the Daniel Webster Distinguished Service Award was presented to David Burwell, who is cofounder and president of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC). The conservancy has helped communities in every state build on their initial enthusiasm, sustain their motivation, overcome technical and legal hurdles and add planks to America's new "front porch" by adding miles of usable trails salvaged from abandoned railroad beds. David was also honored at the White House in 1996. The President's Council on Sustainable Development gave the RTC an award as one organization that helps communities meet today's needs while preserving natural resources for the future.

The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy was founded in 1985 and by 1989 there were 200 trails. By 1992, 500 trails. By 1998 there were 1,000 trails—more than 10,000 miles of them! The RTC has staff in five states and more than 100,000 members and supporters, both conservatives and conservationists. The Surface Transportation Policy Project made David the initial recipient of what they have named the David G. Burwell Transportation Award for individuals whose work ensures "that transportation policy and investment serves people and communities." I am sure I speak for the class when I offer our congratulations to Dave for his great work.

That's all for now. Take care and write.

27 Summit Ave, Derry, NH 03038; rwillets@aol.com

David Burwell has led the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in converting more than 10,000 miles of railroad beds to trails RICK WILLETS '69