Editing Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (section)

==History==
RTC was formed in 1986 by Peter Harnik and David Burwell. The [[Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act]] of 1976 (known as the 4R Act) included a little-noticed section to provide funding, information exchange and technical assistance in order to preserve these corridors and create public trails. The "railbanking" provisions of this legislation allowed disused railroad corridors to be preserved in public ownership rather than sold and irrevocably dismantled.<ref>{{cite web|author=Rails-to-Trails Conservancy |url=http://www.railstotrails.org/ourWork/advocacy/policyAndFunding/railbanking.html |title=Railbanking &#124; Rails-to-Trails Conservancy |publisher=Railstotrails.org |date= |accessdate=2019-11-11}}</ref> In addition to the creation of public railtrails, railbanking legislation has also enabled the reactivation of rail service along previously disused corridors.

In August 2000, RTC launched a trail-finder website with maps, photos, reviews and other information on U.S. rail trails, trails and greenways.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.traillink.com/ |title=Bike Trails, Walking Trails, Hiking Trails, Trail Maps |publisher=TrailLink |date= |accessdate=2019-11-11}}</ref> Since 2000, RTC has used GPS mapping data to provide maps of more than 23,000 miles of trails. 

In 2007, RTC began recognizing rail trails with its ''Rail Trail Hall of Fame.''<ref>{{cite web|author=Rails-to-Trails Conservancy |url=http://www.railstotrails.org/ourWork/promotingTrailUse/trailRecognition/hallofFame/index.html |title=Rail-Trail Hall of Fame &#124; Rails-to-Trails Conservancy |publisher=Railstotrails.org |date= |accessdate=2019-11-11}}</ref> The first inductees into the Rail Trail Hall of Fame were the [[Great Allegheny Passage]], Pennsylvania, the Fred Marquis [[Pinellas Trail]], Florida, and [[Katy Trail State Park]], Missouri. In June, 2012, the [[Greenbrier River Trail]], West Virginia, was the 26th trail to receive the designation.