NEW YORK – The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference has presented its Major William A. Welch Trail Partner Award to State Environmental Conservation Department Regional Director Willie Janeway.

Welch was the first chairman of both the Trail Conference founded in 1920 and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy founded in 1925.

“Willie’s expertise is especially valuable in these tough budgetary times where his ‘cooperative management’ approach supports nature-based tourism and economic development at no additional cost to the taxpayers,” said Trail Conference Executive Director Ed Goodell.

He noted Janeway’s recent agreement with the Trailways Conference for maintenance of over 200 miles of Catskill trails and 26 lean-tos.

“With his support, Trail Conference volunteers will be taking on more trail responsibilities in the Catskills, helping to maintain these important destinations for visitors and residence,” said Goodell.