Designated by congress in 1990, the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail combines recreational trail sections, auto-route, interpretive and historic sites to connect the public to the ancient Indigenous trail network used by the Anza expedition in 1775-1776 to colonize Alta California. The trail serves as a setting to understand the complexities of this history and offers an opportunity to experience the heritage and landscapes along its route. 2024 saw greater volunteer contributions, growth of new and established partnerships, and the development of critical organization planning documents and tools. 
NPS VolunteerismVolunteers associated with the Anza Trail and its partners have contributed more in 2024 than in the previous three years in all categories. The Anza Trail Coalition of Arizona and the Juan Bautista de Anza NHT Trails & Rails volunteer program of Tubac, AZ and Santa Barbara, CA, respectively, reported the most hours, contributing to interpretation programming and trail maintenance projects.Anza Trail StaffThe Anza Trail Team welcomed two new team members in 2024.Community Volunteer Ambassador, Elizabeth Morales, is supporting the NPS/Amtrak volunteer program Trails & Rails. Research Intern, Sandra Amezcua completed an ambitious survey of communities and organizations along the trail corridor. Additionally, the trail continued to benefit from the expertise and support of two postdoctoral fellows, Dr. Brittany Romanello and Dr. Sarah Montoya.
NPS Partnerships and ProjectsPlanning for the 250th anniversary of the Anza colonizing expedition was a top priority in 2024.The Anza Trail team engaged with partners and colleagues to leverage the commemorative occasion to bring attention to historical events that shaped our nation in western America in 1775-76. The Anza 250 partner and public commemoration toolkit (QR code) and an official Anza 250 logo were just two of the products created.During the 2024 school year, the Anza Trail partnered with Environmental Education Exchange to present 190 classroom programs about the Anza expedition, reaching nearly 4500 4th grade students in southern AZ and southeast CA. Interpretation program manager Christopher Bentley and NPS colleague Laura Bolyard with the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program were awarded the 2024 Excellence in Interpretation Team Award by the National Park Service Pacific West Region for their work on the universally designed interpretive materials at the Anza Trail Cultural History Park in downtown Tucson, AZ. This accessible park was designed with staff and students of nearby Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind. The result is a fully accessible and engaging space. 
NPS photo PlanningAn 8-mile trail segment through the City of Moreno Valley is now a part of the 481-mile certified retracement trail open and accessible for public recreation use and interpretation of the Anza expedition. The Anza Trail Auto Tour is one step closer to having new and compliant auto tour signs after conversations with 14 of the 15 corresponding jurisdictions took place. The retracement trail gap analysis and information communications for certified segments were priorities for 2024, and work with municipalities and State Parks has verified the potential for new retracement trail segments. |
Last updated: April 24, 2025