More than $800,000 in federal stimulus money will help maintain trails in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.

The U.S. Forest Service and the Student Conservation Association, a nonprofit organization with a labor force of high school and college students, will work together to improve up to 175 miles of trails in the two national forests.

The work will include restoring trail beds, clearing brush and improving drainage systems.

Hiking routes designated for improvement include Dragon's Tooth Trail in Roanoke County, Craig Creek Trail in Botetourt County and Poverty Creek Trail in Montgomery County.

The $816,000 in funding announced this week is the latest in about $4 million the Washington and Jefferson national forests have received from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

-- Laurence Hammack