Iditarod is a magical word not only in Alaska, but also in the Nation and in many other parts of the world. It is a word that raises different images and emotions in different people. In November of 1978, Iditarod took on specific meaning when Congress designated the Iditarod a National Historic Trail (NHT). The new Iditarod NHT Comprehensive Plan replaces the 1986 CMP, but pulls forward information, concepts, and philosophies that continue to be relevant and important for the Iditarod NHT. At its core, the revised comprehensive plan continues to promote stewardship of the Iditarod NHT through cooperation and collaboration. The plan provides information about the Trail’s resources along with guidance and recommendations for managing, protecting, and using the Iditarod NHT that federal, state, and local land managers, Tribal governments, private land owners, nonprofits, businesses, and volunteers can use to inform their specific actions, projects, and priorities. Due to the many jurisdictional agencies underlying the length of the Iditarod NHT, the plan is intended to provide for a large degree of operational independence while still recognizing the benefit that stems from having a shared vision and understanding of the Trail’s Nature and Purposes. Nature, Purpose, and Values.