The COMPASS (Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho) is putting on a great educational talk, just in time for Bike Week! Come to COMPASS to listen to Liz Thorstensen, Vice President of Trail Development at Rails-to-Trails ConservancyRtalk about the economic benefits of active transportation infrastructure. The event is free, but make sure to register if you attend: ctorkelson@compassidaho.org
Trails, Paths, and Dollars - Oh My!
Public Presentation Tuesday, May 16 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm COMPASS 1st floor Board Room 700 NE 2nd Street, Meridian
Join Liz Thorstensen as she discusses how providing places to walk and bike can bolster travel, tourism, and economic development. COMPASS invites you to learn what this can mean to your community, neighborhood, business, and quality of life.
Registration is free Space is limited - RSVP early ctorkelson@compassidaho.org
About Liz Thorstensen:
For the past decade, Liz has worked at the intersection of healthy communities and economic development—including guiding organizations and communities through the development of cross-sector strategies that strengthen economic, human, and natural capital. Liz serves as the Vice President of Trail Development at Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC), where she shapes and oversees RTC’s trail development projects and programs in support of RTC’s mission to develop a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines. Her primary focus is developing and implementing RTC's Projects of National Significance. This work reflects RTC’s unique ability to bring national support and top-class trail and movement building expertise to local trail and active transportation network building initiatives. These network-building projects are carrying communities over the tipping point, helping trails evolve from local amenities into the critical, connected infrastructure that supports healthy people, places, and local economies. Liz earned her bachelor’s degree in Geography and GIS from the University of Maryland College Park and holds Masters degrees in Urban and Regional Planning and Local Economic Development from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and the London School of Economics, respectively.