OuterSpatial launches digital passport for every National Forest and Grassland. August 27, 2026. Free program invites visitors to check in, collect badges, and explore all 154 National Forests and 20 National Grasslands. (August 27, 2026) /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ - Every national forest and grassland now has a badge of its own. OuterSpatial today launched the National Forests and Grasslands Passport, a free digital experience available through the OuterSpatial app that lets visitors check in, collect badges, and build a personal record of their visits across all 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands. The program is a partnership between OuterSpatial, the National Forest Foundation, the U.S. Forest Service, and Tyler Technologies. Hundreds of millions of people visit America's national forests and grasslands every year. The Passport spans 44 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, from the Tongass National Forest in Alaska to the Apalachicola National Forest in Florida, the Oglala National Grassland in Nebraska, and El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico. For the first time, visitors can explore the full national forests and grasslands system through one connected digital experience. Developed with guidance from the U.S. Forest Service, the Passport is built around unique badges for each National Forest and Grassland, inspired by the real landscapes, flora, and fauna people encounter on the ground. Over time, those badges become part of a larger travel story, from familiar favorites close to home to new destinations across the country. Past trips count too: visitors can add forests and grasslands from earlier journeys to begin their collection with a lifetime of memories, then keep it growing as they check in during future trips. "Each badge is worth earning on its own, but what I love is what they become over time," said Ryan Branciforte, CEO of OuterSpatial. "When visitors add photos and comments to their check-ins, the Passport becomes a living logbook of the locations they've been to, and the ones still ahead. That's the part I'm most excited about." The National Forest Foundation, which has worked to protect and improve America's forests and grasslands for decades, sees the Passport as one more way to bring people closer to that mission. "As our country continues honoring its 250th anniversary year, there's no better time to celebrate the public lands that define this nation," said Dieter Fenkart-Froeschl, President & CEO of the National Forest Foundation. "The National Forests and Grasslands Passport is an invitation to explore, build lifelong memories, and become a National Forest champion for these treasured places that lasts well beyond this milestone year." About OuterSpatial OuterSpatial helps parks and recreation and public lands organizations create better digital visitor experiences and stronger community engagement. Working with organizations across the U.S. and beyond, the platform powers discovery, trip planning, navigation, reservations, and on-location programs - including challenges, passport experiences, and badge systems - through mobile and web apps. Learn more at outerspatial.com. About the National Forest Foundation The National Forest Foundation (NFF) believes in a world where caring for forests is second nature. As the official nonprofit partner of the U.S. Forest Service, the NFF works to reduce wildfire risk, restore land and watersheds, and improve recreation access across America's 193 million acres of National Forests and Grasslands. The NFF's work is national in scope, local in practice, and generational in impact. About Tyler Technologies Tyler Technologies (NYSE: TYL) is a leading provider of integrated software and technology services for the public sector. Tyler's end-to-end solutions empower local, state, and federal government entities to operate efficiently and transparently with residents and each other. By connecting data and processes across disparate systems, Tyler's solutions transform how clients turn actionable insights into opportunities and solutions for their communities. Tyler has more than 45,000 successful installations across 15,000 locations, with clients in all 50 states, Canada, the Caribbean, Australia, and other international locations. Tyler has been recognized numerous times for growth and innovation, including on Government Technology's GovTech 100 list. More information about Tyler Technologies, an S&P 500 company headquartered in Plano, Texas, can be found at tylertech.com. Media Contact Joe Frabotta Head of Marketing, OuterSpatial [email protected] Company info. OuterSpatial Contact info. Follow us on. Editor's picks. August 31, 2026. August 30, 2026. August 24, 2026. August 21, 2026.

U.S. Forest Service and National Forest Foundation launch the first National Forests and Grasslands Passport. | Published on: Aug 27, 2026 Washington, D.C. August 27, 2026 - The U.S. Forest Service and the National Forest Foundation announced the launch of the National Forests and Grasslands Passport, a free digital experience designed to inspire visitors to discover more of America's national forests and grasslands while earning commemorative digital badges along the way. Available through the OuterSpatial mobile app, the National Forests and Grasslands Passport transforms every visit into a rewarding experience, allowing visitors to check in and earn exclusive digital badges for each national forest and national grassland they explore. "As an avid fan of the National Park Service Passport Program, I am excited to announce the introduction of the digital U.S. Forest Service Passport Program. More than 164 million people visit our 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands each year bringing back with them stories, family memories and oftentimes plans to return or explore a new Forest Service destination," said Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz. "Now, millions of people are able to track their visits on their mobile devices through the National Forests and Grasslands Passport, and we are so excited to welcome the next generation of adventurers through this engaging, digital experience." Each national forest and grassland has its own specially designed badge, inspired by the iconic Forest Service entrance signs that have welcomed visitors for generations. The artwork reflects the landscapes, wildlife, plants, and other features that define each forest and grassland, creating a collection as distinctive as the places themselves. "We're proud to partner with the Forest Service on a program that inspires more people to experience our national forests and grasslands," said Dieter Fenkart-Froeschl, President and CEO of the National Forest Foundation. "People care for the places they love, and every new connection helps build a stronger community of people committed to the future of these extraordinary public lands." Additionally, users will be able to view their total visit number ranked in a leaderboard with other challengers. Visitors are encouraged to log in all their past visits to unlock digital badges to build their own personal collection; however, only check-ins within the geographic coordinates of the national forest or grassland will earn a certified green checkmark. To learn more about the National Forests and Grasslands Passport and to download, visit: www.nationalforests.org/passport About the National Forest Foundation The National Forest Foundation (NFF) believes in a world where caring for forests is second?nature, with a mission to transform?America's love of nature into action for its?National?Forests. As the official nonprofit partner of the U.S. Forest Service, NFF works to reduce wildfire risk, restore land and watersheds, and improve recreation access across America's?193 million acres?of National Forests and Grasslands. NFF's work is national in scope, local in practice, and?generational?in impact. About the U.S. Forest Service The Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation for more than 100 years. Grounded in world-class science and technology - and rooted in communities - the Forest Service connects people to nature and recreation opportunities. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, supports the nation's forest industry and energy needs, and operates the largest and most respected wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. By providing assistance to state and private landowners and working with tribes and other partners, the Forest Service also helps steward an additional 900 million forested acres within the U.S. -U.S. Forest Service

Iconic Hanging Lake Trail now fully restored - and improved. * by NATHAN DEAL [email protected] * jun 21, 2026 updated jun 22, 2026 * 4 min to read. When the Grizzly Creek Fire raged through the Glenwood Canyon in 2020, an iconic and beloved oasis was miraculously spared from the inferno. However, the path to that oasis was not so fortunate, and flooding the following year only exacerbated its woes. Efforts to restore the Hanging Lake Trail have spanned the 2020s. In the spring of 2024, a $4.7 million complete reconstruction project launched to expand access to the trail to pre-2020 levels, with everyone involved targeting June 18, 2026, as the date to unveil the final product to the public. That day finally arrived, with the Hanging Lake Trail restored to its former glory - and beyond. "There was no simple path forward. What followed was years of planning, collaboration, investment, hard work and conversation. An extraordinary coalition came together not just to restore the damaged Hanging Lake Trail but to rebuild it for the next century and create a more resilient trail designed to withstand future challenges while preserving future access to one of Colorado's most beloved trails," said Dieter Fenkart-Froeschl, the president and CEO of the National Forest Foundation, during the Hanging Lake Trail Restoration Ribbon Cutting celebration near the trailhead. "In many ways, the Hanging Lake Trail Restoration Project now serves as a model for what is possible across the National Forest system." The effort brought together the U.S. Forest Service, the National Forest Foundation, the City of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) and more organizations. Funding came partially from Forest Service appropriations, a CPW grant, and more than 6,000 visitors who donated their canceled reservation fees to the restoration. "People travel from around the world to experience places like this, but outdoor recreation is about far more than adventure or escape. It's how people build relationships with the natural world," Fenkart-Froeschl said. "Conservation succeeds when it becomes part of the culture. People protect what they love, and they love what they know." Additionally, the Colorado Lottery awarded $2.53 million to the effort through GOCO, a transformational Starburst Award that propelled the reconstruction. From there, H2O Ventures and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) served as operational partners; DHM Design, ContourLogic and JVA Consulting Engineers designed the new vision for the Hanging Lake Trail; and NorTerra crafted the trail. "Hanging Lake really reminds us of what stewardship really means: caring for a place not just for today but for future generations who deserve to feel the same sense of wonder and awe when they get to experience Hanging Lake for the first time," said GOCO Executive Director Jackie Miller. "Years from now, most visitors won't know the full story of what it took to reopen Hanging Lake; they'll simply experience the turquoise water, waterfalls and sense of wonder at the end of the trail. That's exactly the point." Seven bridges trail. As part of the event, The Daily Sentinel was invited to hike the trail, which had been open to the public in a limited capacity for several years but can now be considered completed. The first noticeable difference is at the trailhead, which has been transformed with a pergola, visitor information signage, and a picnic area beside a babbling brook. The project called for a major increase in stone steps compared to the old trail, placed to protect the landscape in the long term. Stonemason Dave Lewis constructed 1,289 steps that take hikers up the 1.5-mile trail with more than 1,000 feet in elevation gain. To make these stairs, about 325 tons of stone were moved by hand. As hikers make their way up the trail, they cross seven bridges. All of these bridges are new, replacing the bridges damaged in 2020 and 2021. There was also an emergency defibrillator kit nailed to a tree. Near the top of the trail, where the stone stairs become steeper, new railing was installed on both sides, making the section safer and more secure. Above Hanging Lake at Spouting Rock, a new boardwalk was built, providing more ways to view the waterfall that flows out of the cliffside and feeds Hanging Lake. Visitors can still walk behind the waterfall, as well. As beautiful as ever. For all of the changes to the trail up to the lake as well as the area above the lake, Hanging Lake itself has maintained its untouched, serene quality. Its clear, turquoise water, with sunlight glistening upon the gentle waves, provides an idyllic home for trout, robins, butterflies, marmots and snakes, all of which were spotted on the tour. Prior to 2020, Hanging Lake welcomed more than 72,000 visitors annually and generated $4.6 million annually to the Glenwood Springs-area economy. This restoration event brought in invited guests from around the state, including one family who departed Pueblo at 4 a.m. to travel to the Western Slope and hike the trail. That's for good reason, as Hanging Lake remains one of the most singularly distinct places in all of Colorado, enchanting all who are willing to make the trek. "The story of Hanging Lake is a remarkable one. Indigenous peoples knew this landscape long before it was documented in the late 1800s by miners exploring Glenwood Canyon. This extraordinary geological wonder quickly became known for its turquoise waters, cascading waterfalls and rare ecosystem perched high above the canyon floor. What began as a hidden gem quickly became one of Colorado's most treasured destinations," said Glenwood Springs Mayor Marco Dehm. "We do not own places like Hanging Lake. We are merely stewards of them."