What ITRA Does: Member Services
ITRA volunteers plan trail and camp work sessions for the year. They arrange for camping and coordinate meals. They coordinate work details and manage unforeseen occurrences. To see the timing and location of this year's work sessions, check our Calendar of Events.
ITRA provides overall coordination with the Department of Natural Resources. They determine what DNR or the park management would like help with. It also advocates for trails and trail riding as issues arise at DNR and in the political arena. ITRA also coordinates with the Midwest Equine Trails Foundation (www.metftrails.org) on grants and gifts to fund trail work and for the purchase of equipment to do the work.
What Our Members Say
"I like that ITRA stays connected to our state politicians and state laws and regs affecting our trails. We must do all we can to protect them."
"ITRA works hard to preserve our riding heritage and works very well with the state DNR, which shows a great relationship for our future trail use."
"Nobody in the park system is going to listen to little old me, but ITRA has established connections with the park system to make a difference. If I can assist the ITRA then little old me can make a difference."
To keep members informed about its activities, ITRA publishes the Trail Mix newsletter bimonthly. It usually includes reports of work projects undertaken, as well as initiatives of the organization, and a regular column by the president. Ninety-six percent of members read Trail Mix, with 80 percent reading every issue. You can see copies of Trail Mix in our archive here. New issues of Trail Mix are posted on Facebook's ITRA page.
What Our Members Say
“I thoroughly enjoy the entire newsletter!”
“I read it to keep up with what's going on.”
“I like keeping informed about work done and other members’ rides.”
“I like articles on what ITRA is doing with the trails and campgrounds”
ITRA publishes the Trail Guide that provides detailed information about riding trails and camping at over 50 equine facilities throughout Indiana. The Trail Guide is an invaluable resource for people who love to trail ride. Members receive a free copy every third year of membership. You can see some sample pages and order copies of Trail Guide here.
ITRA maintains a fund to cover expenses for trail work. Labor by ITRA volunteers is free, but materials for the work, and tools or equipment aren't! The Trail Fund helps cover these expenses. All funds dontated to ITRA's Trail Fund are spent on trail work. Donors can specify that their gifts should be spent on work at a particular park or project. ITRA also coordinates funding with the Midwest Equine Trails Foundation for special projects and equipment purchases. Gifts to METF are generally tax deductible. You can learn more about the Trail Fund here.
ITRA holds an annual meeting for all members. It exhibits at regional equine fairs, such as the Indiana Equine Roundup and Equine Affaire, to promote its activities and encourage membership. It also schedules work days, day rides, and camping trips. To see all ITRA events for the current year, click here.
