Two Hoosiers have earned international honors from a trails organization for developing and improving non-motorized and motorized recreation opportunities in Indiana.

Mike Kuepper, Peru, and Roy Garrett, Indianapolis, were recognized by American Trails, a non-profit trails advocacy group, at its International Trails Symposium in Portland, Oregon, on May 19.

The men were nominated by Amy Marisavljevic, streams and trails specialist with the DNR Division of Outdoor Recreation.

"These awards are a huge honor," Marisavljevic said. "They not only acknowledge the incredible achievements of these men, but also acknowledge the quality of trails we have in Indiana. Their hard work has provided Hoosiers with access to miles of top-notch trails for years to come."

Kuepper was one of 10 people internationally to receive the Trail Worker Award. He founded the Friends of Nickel Plate group more than 15 years ago and has led the group's efforts to improve north-central Indiana through the development of the Nickel Plate Trail on a former Norfolk Southern rail line.

The Nickel Plate Trail provides recreational opportunities to the residents in 10 communities and attracts visitors to the region.

Kuepper has been involved in every step of developing the 37-mile paved bicycling and walking trail, from planning and land acquisition to applying for grants and even decking the trail's 14 bridges. Kuepper said he and the Friends group will continue to develop the trail, including making efforts to connect it with the neighboring Cardinal Greenway.

Garrett was one of seven to win the Trail Advocate Award. He has advocated for motorized recreational trails in Indiana for more than 40 years. A life-long off-road motorcyclist, Garrett became involved in trail advocacy with American Motorcyclists Association, the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council and ABATE of Indiana. In 1994, he founded Discover Indiana Riding Trails (DIRT), where he helped reform related public policy and promote responsible off-road riding through education.

Garrett was instrumental in developing Redbird and Interlake state recreation areas. Both are maintained by the DNR Division of Outdoor Recreation as the state's only public trails for motorized dirt bikes, ATVs, UTVs and 4x4s. Garrett has reformed policies, helped build miles of trail and educated hundreds of riders to advance motorized recreation in Indiana.

More information is at americantrails.org/awards/portland/index.html.

To view all DNR news releases, please see dnr.IN.gov.

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Media contact: Amy Marisavljevic, streams and trails specialist, DNR Division of Outdoor Recreation, (317) 232-4067, amarisavljevic@dnr.IN.gov.