1. Congratulations to Mat-Su Convention and Visitor Bureau for the celebration of land purchase for their new visitor center just south of Matanuska Lakes State Rec Area at the south end of the Matanuska Greenbelt. That was a great day last Friday.

2. We've got a number of new people on our list, which we'd like to welcome and provide a brief background of the Matanuska Greenbelt. It's a group of managers and trail users in the area from Mat-Su Borough's Crevasse-Moraine trails through UAA Mat-Su College and UAF Matanuska Farm to Alaska State Parks Matanuska Lakes State Recreation Area who've worked together for about 5.5 yr to map and sign the 2000+acres and over 30 miles of trail to enhance trail users' experience in the area. Many fewer lost trail users these days - either that or they never make it back to tell their story.

The area has a general reputation of being one of the most diversified trail systems with most any use that doesn't need an engine - dog walkers, mtn bikers, hikers, equestrians, runners, nordic skiing, orienteering, geocaching, and others - all going different directions and speeds. Plus it's got some great natural and cultural history in the area and surrounded by schools, making it a great place for outdoor education.

Because of the increased use, including for races, the agencies are trying to unify the approach to permitting to be sure they've got accurate and adequate information to manage the area. Any race fees will go back to the trails through the Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation. And that's where we are now.

3. We're making progress on the overall permitting process for races, but we aren't there yet. What I did was put some highlights of what we're working on and what to expect on our website at http://www.matanuska-greenbelt.org/events