AT Journeys logo
Advocating
for a
Protected
Trail
Advocating
for a
Protected
Trail
SPRING 2020
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Support the Trail You Love
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All the latest dirt along the Trail
Lush late spring in Beartown State Forest, Massachusetts
A sense of space and place in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania
Guided by the footsteps of “the ancestors”
An architectural homage to A.T. shelters, lean-tos, and huts
The A.T. as an apolitical space

ON THE COVER
Cover illustration by Katie Eberts


Above: Abundant native wildflowers and critical golden-winged warbler habitat grace Hump Mountain in North Carolina with views of Grandfather Mountain in the background – Photo by Matt Drury

A history of persuading people that the Appalachian Trail matters
Preserving the A.T. experience depends on advocates at every level
Congratulations to over a thousand intrepid hikers on their A.T. completions
While a thru-hike eventually ends, the journey as an Appalachian Trail advocate never does
Empowering the next generation to be a voice for the Trail

ON THE COVER
Cover illustration by Katie Eberts


Above: Abundant native wildflowers and critical golden-winged warbler habitat grace Hump Mountain in North Carolina with views of Grandfather Mountain in the background – Photo by Matt Drury

All the latest dirt along the Trail
Lush late spring in Beartown State Forest, Massachusetts
A sense of space and place in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania
Guided by the footsteps of “the ancestors”
An architectural homage to A.T. shelters, lean-tos, and huts
The A.T. as an apolitical space
A history of persuading people that the Appalachian Trail matters
Preserving the A.T. experience depends on advocates at every level
Congratulations to over a thousand intrepid hikers on their A.T. completions
While a thru-hike eventually ends, the journey as an Appalachian Trail advocate never does
Empowering the next generation to be a voice for the Trail
AT Journeys Spring 2020 Masthead logo
ATC Executive Leadership

Sandra Marra / President & CEO
Nicole Prorock / Chief Financial Officer
Shalin Desai / Vice President of Advancement
Laura Belleville / Vice President of Conservation & Trail Programs
Cherie A. Nikosey / Vice President of Administration
Brian B. King / Publisher & Archivist

A.T. Journeys

Wendy K. Probst / Editor in Chief
Traci Anfuso-Young / Art Director / Designer

Contributors

Jordan Bowman / Director of Communications
Laurie Potteiger / Information Services Manager
Brittany Jennings / Proofreader

MISSION
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s mission is to preserve and manage the Appalachian Trail — ensuring that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for centuries to come.
Board of Directors

Colin Beasley / Chair
Robert Hutchinson / Vice Chair
Edward R. Guyot / Secretary
Jim LaTorre / Treasurer
Grant Davies
Norman P. Findley
Thomas L. Gregg
Daniel A. Howe
Ann Heilman Murphy
Colleen Peterson
Nathan G. Rogers
Rubén Rosales
Ambreen Tariq

PRESIDENT’S LEADERSHIP CIRCLE

Hon. Stephanie Martz
Diana Christopulos
Jim Fetig
Lisa Koteen Gerchick
Mark Kent
R. Michael Leonard
Robert Rich
Hon. C. Stewart Verdery, Jr.

© 2020 Appalachian Trail Conservancy. All rights reserved.
Membership

For membership questions or to become a member, call: (304) 885-0460

[email protected]

Advertising

A.T. Journeys is published four times per year. Advertising revenues directly support the publication and production of the magazine, and help meet Appalachian Trail Conservancy objectives. For more information and advertising rates, visit: appalachiantrail.org/atjadvertising

MISSION
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s mission is to preserve and manage the Appalachian Trail — ensuring that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for centuries to come.
Board of Directors

Colin Beasley / Chair
Robert Hutchinson / Vice Chair
Edward R. Guyot / Secretary
Jim LaTorre / Treasurer
Grant Davies
Norman P. Findley
Thomas L. Gregg
Daniel A. Howe
Ann Heilman Murphy
Colleen Peterson
Nathan G. Rogers
Rubén Rosales
Ambreen Tariq

PRESIDENT’S LEADERSHIP CIRCLE

Hon. Stephanie Martz
Diana Christopulos
Jim Fetig
Lisa Koteen Gerchick
Mark Kent
R. Michael Leonard
Robert Rich
Hon. C. Stewart Verdery, Jr.

© 2020 Appalachian Trail Conservancy. All rights reserved.
The staff of A.T. Journeys welcomes editorial inquiries, suggestions, and comments. Email: [email protected] Observations, conclusions, opinions, and product endorsements expressed in A.T. Journeys are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of members of the board or staff of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

A.T. Journeys is published on Somerset matte paper manufactured by Sappi North America mills and distributors that follow responsible forestry practices. It is printed with Soy Seal certified ink in the U.S.A. by Sheridan NH in Hanover, New Hampshire.

A.T. Journeys ( ISSN 1556-2751) is published quarterly for $15 a year by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, 799 Washington Street, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, (304) 535-6331. Bulk-rate postage paid at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and other offices. Postmaster: Send change-of-address Form 3575 to A.T. Journeys, P.O. Box 807, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425.

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Contributors
Contributors

My ultimate goal is to convince every A.T. hiker to become an advocate for the Trail.

-Jordan Bowman

THERE IS AN ART TO ADVOCACY. AND ADVOCACY IS OFTEN expressed through art. Writers, photographers, artists, and scientists all use their work to express what matters most to them. In my case, I advocate for the A.T. and its surrounding land and wildlife through my work on this magazine. In doing so, I collaborate with a passionate and devoted group of colleagues and Trail enthusiasts.

Recently, one such colleague sent me a 1929 Benton MacKaye letter from our archives. In it, MacKaye writes: “Our job is not really to ‘create’ an environment: It is already created — by nature. The job is to bring it out: do with each wilderness area what the chemical does for the exposed Kodak film — bring out its latent realities. That is what the artist does who paints a beautiful landscape: He brings out its beauty. That is what the dramatist does in developing a folk play — he brings out the inherent rhythm of the ceremony. Just so, we may say, the man of science brings out the mystery of nature and her hidden story through his powers of visualizing evidence: In this way, a terrestrial drama is unfolded to us by the geologist; in this way is revealed the elusive drama of the migratory birds. Each one, indeed, of these activities is the development of a portion of environment: It takes them all — artist, dramatist, man of science — to develop the complete reality.”

Even in times when we cannot get out to enjoy the Trail, we can continue to advocate for its preservation and in doing so, find solace in knowing that those miles of forests, mountains, and fields will still be there waiting for us like — to quote another artist, Thoreau — “an infinite expectation of the dawn.”

Wendy K. Probst / Editor in Chief
Jordan Bowman

Jordan Bowman
Jordan Bowman spent his childhood exploring the north Georgia mountains and the southern end of the Appalachian Trail before tackling his long-awaited thru-hike in 2014. He now serves as the ATC’s director of communications, helping spread the word about work being done to maintain, protect, and celebrate the A.T. “Waking up every day knowing I get to hear and share some of the amazing stories about the Trail and its community of volunteers, conservationists, and hikers really is a gift,” he says. “My ultimate goal is to convince every A.T. hiker to become an advocate for the Trail, helping ensure that it is protected so the next generation of hikers can fall in love with America’s great outdoors.”

Katie Eberts
Katie Eberts
Katie Eberts graduated from the University of Michigan and is currently a freelance artist/illustrator based in the upper peninsula of Michigan. Some of her clients include Bon Appetit and Delicious Living. She has been working with A.T. Journeys for seven years, and has contributed many feature illustrations as well as the artwork for three covers — including this issue’s. “I loved working on this project because it’s heartwarming to create an illustration that portrays people from all different backgrounds and walks of life coming together with the same thing in common: a love for the Trail.”
Jack Igelman
Jack Igelman
Jack Igelman reports on the environment, conservation, and public lands for Carolina Public Press based in Asheville, North Carolina and has been a contributor to A.T. Journeys since 2011. As a former North Carolina Outward Bound School instructor, he has a deep appreciation for how trails can transform lives and why we should protect them. “It’s a great privilege to be able to write about the Trail,” he says. “I always learn something new and appreciated the opportunity to help readers better grasp the history of the Trail and its rightful status as an American treasure for all.”
Raymond Salani III
Raymond Salani III
Raymond Salani III lives in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. When it comes to photography, he considers himself a “landscape artist.” While most of his attention is spent on the A.T., he also loves the western U.S., where a photo he captured in Grand Teton National Park is now slated for National Geographic’s Great Mountains 2021 Calendar. His work has been featured in numerous issues of A.T. Journeys since 2017 and he is also a contributing artist to the Yosemite Conservancy. When on the A.T., his pack is often extra heavy with camera gear earning him the Trail name “Flash.” “Planning a hike on the Trail is sometimes a battle between covering more ground versus focusing on a specific area in more detail,” he says. “Contributing work to this issue in particular allows me to share the Trail and hopefully inspire others to protect it.”
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President’s Letter

President’s Letter
A Singular Cause

WHEN LIVING AT THE BLACKBURN TRAIL CENTER as resident caretaker (along with my husband Chris Brunton), I often treated hikers to a home cooked meal. Blackburn is not an official hostel and we do not charge for the stay or refreshments, but I always opened dinner with a short talk — telling folks that listening to me was the cost of the meal. I had a captive audience and did not want to miss the opportunity to share the personal story of my lifetime commitment to the Appalachian Trail. I explained how the Trail was built, managed, and maintained by volunteers. I explained the need for responsible hiker behavior and the importance of Leave No Trace ethics. And I asked everyone there, in gratitude for the meal they were about to enjoy, that they pay it back when they got home — by joining the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) and a local Trail club, and by contributing their time and dollars to support Trail maintenance on whatever section of Trail they may find in their backyard.

In this issue, we talk about the importance of advocating for the Trail. The verb advocate is defined as “publicly recommend or support.” Having spent most of my adult life working on, and for, the Appalachian Trail, I define advocacy as a much broader and richer concept.

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Letters
Letters
A.T. Journeys Winter 2020 Issue cover image

THE WINTER 2020 ISSUE OF A.T. Journeys is the best one I’ve seen.  I like the way the articles (a) consider the whole corridor and (b) refer positively to other cooperating organizations (and not take all the credit for ATC). Nice work.

Rupert Cutler
Roanoke, Virginia

JUST OPENED THE WINTER 2020 online version of A.T. Journeys and it looks great! This should be an enormous help in spreading the word about ATC and its priorities. I am teaching a class this semester on U.S. Environmental History and Public Policy and we are using Tangled Roots: The Appalachian Trail and American Environmental Politics by Sarah Mittlefehldt as major reading — with study of public/private partnerships for land acquisition as a major theme. It will be so great to be able to give the students access to “A Panoramic Purpose” — the article that explains a broader vision for landscape protection along the Trail — and hopefully get more of them involved in this kind of work. Well done.

Diana Christopulos
Salem, Virginia
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The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s experience in building the Trail, tending to it, and our fight to preserve the scenic views and cooperative management system that continue to make the A.T. experience an international attraction is invaluable. The way we share that experience is through advocacy
Why Advocacy? title
federal / state / local / grassroots
The Appalachian Trail Coservancy’s (ATC) conservation team and I, joined by several ATC Next Generation Council Advisory members and our friends and colleagues from other trail organizations, ventured to Capitol Hill last month, advocating for national trails, and speaking on behalf of the millions of people who enjoy those trails every year. As a life-long avid hiker, I haven’t always appreciated how important these visits are, or how important it is to let my local, state, and federal lawmakers know what is most important to my quality of life and the future my kids will experience both on and off the Trail. I may have even mumbled something about advocates being “talking heads,” and far preferred to strap on my hiking boots and escape that world. Not anymore. Especially not in a world where messages get distorted and the only people who can truly represent the best interests for the A.T. are those who care about it the most — those who have worked the hardest for decades to build and protect it. Our voices are authentic and they need to be heard.
By Laura Belleville

Illustration by Katie Eberts

colorful drawing
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s experience in building the Trail, tending to it, and our fight to preserve the scenic views and cooperative management system that continue to make the A.T. experience an international attraction is invaluable. The way we share that experience is through advocacy
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s experience in building the Trail, tending to it, and our fight to preserve the scenic views and cooperative management system that continue to make the A.T. experience an international attraction is invaluable. The way we share that experience is through advocacy
Why Advocacy? title
federal / state / local / grassroots
By Laura Belleville

Illustration by Katie Eberts

The Appalachian Trail Coservancy’s (ATC) conservation team and I, joined by several ATC Next Generation Council Advisory members and our friends and colleagues from other trail organizations, ventured to Capitol Hill last month, advocating for national trails, and speaking on behalf of the millions of people who enjoy those trails every year. As a life-long avid hiker, I haven’t always appreciated how important these visits are, or how important it is to let my local, state, and federal lawmakers know what is most important to my quality of life and the future my kids will experience both on and off the Trail. I may have even mumbled something about advocates being “talking heads,” and far preferred to strap on my hiking boots and escape that world. Not anymore. Especially not in a world where messages get distorted and the only people who can truly represent the best interests for the A.T. are those who care about it the most — those who have worked the hardest for decades to build and protect it. Our voices are authentic and they need to be heard.
AT Journeys: Trailhead - Shay Amill and Daniel Suber
AT Journeys: Trailhead - Shay Amill and Daniel Suber
Future Trail Enthusiasts
A TOP PRIORITY OF THE APPALACHIAN Trail Conservancy (ATC) is to connect the human spirit with nature — preserving the balance of the Trail experience as a haven for all to enjoy. Through summits, education workshops, community partnerships, and diverse volunteer opportunities, the ATC hopes to create an ever-expanding community of doers and dreamers who will work to ensure that future generations will develop a desire to protect and preserve the Trail and its surrounding landscape — and in doing so, pass that passion forward. 
Post it notes on wall of Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.
Next Generation Advisory Council Hikes the Hill
Every year, trail organizations from across the country descend on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. for Hike the Hill, an advocacy day to urge lawmakers and government agencies to protect trails nationwide. For the last four years, members from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s (ATC) Next Generation Advisory Council (or Next Gen, as we call them) have joined in this critical advocacy effort and shared stories with our Representatives and Senators about why the Appalachian Trail is so important to them specifically.

The Next Gen is a council made up of volunteers from 18-to 30-years-old, who advise the ATC on matters of diversity, equity, and inclusion. A major focus area for the council is advocacy for the Trail. This past February, three members of Next Gen traveled to D.C. for this year’s Hike the Hill. For some, this was their first time participating in advocacy. That time was spent accompanying ATC staff into meetings with members of Congress who represent districts along the length of the Trail. Their role was to explain why the Trail matters to them personally, and to explain issues that are important to the A.T. like full and permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, funding the deferred maintenance backlog on our public lands, and making transportation to green spaces and public lands more accessible for critically underserved communities.

Congressional appointments were set up with Republican and Democratic offices alike, and both sides came together to support a cause that benefits everyone in the U.S. Outdoor spaces like the Appalachian Trail belong to everyone equally and the voice of the next generation is essential in the need to protect and preserve them.

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Next Generation Advisory Council members Sahejveer Bhatia and Brianna Johnson in front of the U.S. Capitol Building during Hike the Hill
A.T. caucus
The U.S. House Appalachian National Scenic Trail Caucus (A.T. Caucus) is a forum within the U.S. House of Representatives for members and staff to discuss issues of importance to the Trail. Co-founded by A.T. champions Representatives Don Beyer, Jr. (VA) and Phil Roe (TN) in the 115th Congress, the Caucus has seen steady growth over 2019 and early 2020, nearly doubling in size since the beginning of the 116th Congress last January. Membership in a Congressional Caucus indicates interest in a particular topic (here, the A.T.) and caucus members develop reputations for being vocal and active in advancing the core causes of the caucus. Currently, the Caucus includes members from Trail states Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia, as well as members from Ohio and Kentucky.
If you’d like to see whether your U.S. Representative is a member of the Caucus visit: appalachiantrail.org/advocacy
Hike the Hill
This past February, eight staff members and three members of Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s (ATC) Next Generation Advisory Council journeyed to Washington, D.C. for “Hike the Hill” — an event organized by the Partnership for the National Trails System and the American Hiking Society that brings together Trail organizations and advocates from all over the country. Hike the Hill provides ATC staff and volunteers who do not regularly advocate on issues of Trail and conservation the opportunity to speak directly to U.S. Congressional and Executive branch staffers. This year, the ATC’s delegation educated lawmakers and their staff members on the importance of the Land and Water Conservation Fund and its impact on protecting the viewshed and vital habitat for wildlife along the Trail, pressing deferred maintenance needs, current challenges in natural resource management, and the need for additional Congressional appropriations to our public land management agencies — in particular our unit office within the National Park Service.

Hike the Hill is important because it brings the Trail to Washington. Although the ATC has a federal policy staffer in D.C. full-time, hearing directly from the regional staff and committed volunteers is very important to make sure that Congressional and Executive branch staff understand the incredible work ATC’s staff, Trail clubs, and our local partners do all year round to protect the Trail. Keep an eye out for more information on ATC’s federal advocacy and how you can share your experience to educate federal decision-makers.

trailhead

Next Generation Advisory Council members Sahejveer Bhatia and Brianna Johnson in front of the U.S. Capitol Building during Hike the Hill

trailhead

Next Generation Advisory Council members Sahejveer Bhatia and Brianna Johnson in front of the U.S. Capitol Building during Hike the Hill
A.T. caucus
The U.S. House Appalachian National Scenic Trail Caucus (A.T. Caucus) is a forum within the U.S. House of Representatives for members and staff to discuss issues of importance to the Trail. Co-founded by A.T. champions Representatives Don Beyer, Jr. (VA) and Phil Roe (TN) in the 115th Congress, the Caucus has seen steady growth over 2019 and early 2020, nearly doubling in size since the beginning of the 116th Congress last January. Membership in a Congressional Caucus indicates interest in a particular topic (here, the A.T.) and caucus members develop reputations for being vocal and active in advancing the core causes of the caucus. Currently, the Caucus includes members from Trail states Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia, as well as members from Ohio and Kentucky.
If you’d like to see whether your U.S. Representative is a member of the Caucus visit: appalachiantrail.org/advocacy
Hike the Hill
This past February, eight staff members and three members of Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s (ATC) Next Generation Advisory Council journeyed to Washington, D.C. for “Hike the Hill” — an event organized by the Partnership for the National Trails System and the American Hiking Society that brings together Trail organizations and advocates from all over the country. Hike the Hill provides ATC staff and volunteers who do not regularly advocate on issues of Trail and conservation the opportunity to speak directly to U.S. Congressional and Executive branch staffers. This year, the ATC’s delegation educated lawmakers and their staff members on the importance of the Land and Water Conservation Fund and its impact on protecting the viewshed and vital habitat for wildlife along the Trail, pressing deferred maintenance needs, current challenges in natural resource management, and the need for additional Congressional appropriations to our public land management agencies — in particular our unit office within the National Park Service.

Hike the Hill is important because it brings the Trail to Washington. Although the ATC has a federal policy staffer in D.C. full-time, hearing directly from the regional staff and committed volunteers is very important to make sure that Congressional and Executive branch staff understand the incredible work ATC’s staff, Trail clubs, and our local partners do all year round to protect the Trail. Keep an eye out for more information on ATC’s federal advocacy and how you can share your experience to educate federal decision-makers.

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ATC Responds
to Covid-19
ATC Responds
to Covid-19
THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL CONSERVANCY (ATC) sends our most heartfelt well wishes to everyone and we hope you are staying safe and healthy during this time. The COVID-19 pandemic has put all of us in uncharted territory. We are making bold decisions and unplanned sacrifices, and leading efforts to help our partners and communities adapt to this ever-evolving environment. As we have done for nearly 100 years, the ATC’s primary role has been to step up and lead. Now, more than ever, we are a critical guide. The A.T. is managed collaboratively by 31 Trail maintaining clubs, several federal, state, and local agencies, and the ATC. Among this group and also to our visitors, volunteers, communities, and partners, we are:
Convener: Over the past few weeks, the ATC convened listening sessions with several groups — Trail maintaining clubs, state and federal agencies, Trail communities, and Trail-related businesses — to understand the impact of COVID-19 and provide guidance and support where possible. We also initiated weekly calls with our peer trail organizations to identify best practices and share critical updates during these difficult times.
Advocate: The ATC lobbies on behalf of the Trail and on behalf of nearby communities whose businesses rely on the Trail and its hikers for revenue. The ATC urged Congress to consider these communities’ needs as they developed a stimulus package in response to COVID-19.
Vanguard: The ATC was the first trail organization to recall field staff, to support telecommuting for support staff, and to request that all hikers — whether overnight or day hikers — to stay off Trail, knowing that social distancing was not assured on the A.T. due to increasing visitor use over the past few weeks.
The ATC remains at the forefront not only because it can but because it must. The health and safety of A.T. visitors is a top priority. We firmly believe that unless everyone is safe, no one is safe. We plan to lead the greater Trail community through this time with that as our guiding motto.
For information on ATC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic as well updated Trail closures visit:
appalachiantrail.org/covid-19
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trailhead

Sneak peek of the 2021 official Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) calendar image
Do you have that perfect photograph of the Appalachian Trail?

This sneak peek of the 2021 official Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) calendar gives you an idea of what we are seeking for the 2022 calendar — by mid-July 2020. The ATC calendar, co-published since 2012 with Rizzoli International, features a mix of photographers and subjects and has always had a dual purpose: To show the visual allure of the Trail landscape to hikers and nonhikers alike — and to brag a bit about the volunteers who maintain it. You could be a part of that legacy.

What we need: High-resolution digital images (TIFFs only) of scenes on the Trail. Send images (limit of 36) on a DVD to: Publisher, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, P.O. Box 807 (or 799 Washington St.), Harpers Ferry, WV 25425. Digital images should be no smaller than 13 inches long and wide, at 300 dpi. Please include: location and month taken for each image — with the photographer’s last name and image ID in the file name. Visible blazes are a major bonus; so is sunshine. Candid shots of hikers near blazes are a double bonus; posed shots cannot be considered. Each selected image is worth $200.

For detailed guidelines visit: appalachiantrail.org/calendar

trailhead

Nominations Open for ATC Board of Directors

Nominations are now open for positions on the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s (ATC) Board of Directors. Elections and certifications for open director positions will take place during the 2020 annual membership meeting, the time for which will be announced in the Summer issue of A.T. Journeys.

Under the ATC’s bylaws, membership meetings are held each year, and the elected leadership serves staggered three-year terms, with one third of the 15 board positions becoming open each year. A slate of nominees will be selected by our nominating committee, which is within our governance committee. This slate will then be approved by the full board, and finally voted on by ATC membership at the annual meeting.

If you, or someone you know, are interested in serving on the ATC Board, we welcome your nomination. We look at many criteria as we review all nominations for the board. Most importantly, the ATC is a complex, national non-profit, and it is key that you or your nominee can show fiduciary oversight capabilities and experience of a similar scope in the non-profit or for-profit world. We believe a strong candidate must have a passion for the Appalachian Trail and be able to articulate that passion for the A.T. and the ATC’s mission. We also are committed to having a wide diversity of experience and thoughts on the board and look to have our leadership accurately reflect the society in which the Trail exists.

The volunteer board requires a commitment of your time, including four meetings per year and additional committee assignments. Board members must be ATC members in good standing.

All nominations, including self-nominations, should include both the nominee’s and the nominator’s name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address, with a description of the person’s relevant experience, skills, and attributes with emphasis on the criteria above (oversight experience, passion for the A.T., diversity of thought, and time considerations). Please submit a C.V. or resume if available. We take every nomination seriously, and we appreciate the time you put into the nomination and the nomination process. The committee’s slate will be announced in an ATC publication/web site between June 14 and July 23, 2020.

Nominations should be sent no later than April 30th, 2020 to: [email protected] or by mail to Thomas Gregg, Chair, Nominating Committee, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, P.O. Box 807, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425. For more information, visit: appalachiantrail.org/Leadership

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Rare open areas along the Trail provide much more than bucolic views
Natural Balance
Text and photos by Matt Drury
We have all heard the “green tunnel” analogy regarding the A.T., and it is accurate, most of the time. However, approximately two-to-three-percent of the Trail passes through open areas along its course. Examples of open areas include Hudson Farm, New Hampshire; Chestnut Ridge, Virginia; and Big Bald on the North Carolina/Tennessee border. Open areas take many forms and serve a variety of functions along the Trail, most notably for their iconic vistas, but also preserving historic cultural landscapes and providing critical habitat for rare, threatened, and endangered species like Gray’s lily, the rusty-patched bumblebee, and the golden-winged warbler.

There are two main origins of open areas along the A.T.: cultural and ecological. Most cultural open areas are relicts of an agricultural past, such as the open areas in the bucolic landscape surrounding Tyringham, Massachusetts. This part of the Berkshires was first settled in 1735 as an agricultural community and contains some of the largest open meadows within the A.T. corridor. These open areas are managed as priority habitat for grassland bird species like the bobolink and for pollinators, but also for grazing livestock to maintain the historical context of the area.

ATC staff and members of the Carolina Mountain Club plant native perennial wildflowers at Max Patch
From top: View from Big Bald looking north on the Trail — this critical migratory bird stopover habitat is part of the Southern Blue Ridge Important Bird Area; ATC staff and members of the Carolina Mountain Club plant native perennial wildflowers at Max Patch while stabilizing a closed, unsustainable social trail and benefiting pollinators, hikers, and birds.

trailhead

Rare open areas along the Trail provide much more than bucolic views
Natural Balance
Text and photos by Matt Drury
We have all heard the “green tunnel” analogy regarding the A.T., and it is accurate, most of the time. However, approximately two-to-three-percent of the Trail passes through open areas along its course. Examples of open areas include Hudson Farm, New Hampshire; Chestnut Ridge, Virginia; and Big Bald on the North Carolina/Tennessee border. Open areas take many forms and serve a variety of functions along the Trail, most notably for their iconic vistas, but also preserving historic cultural landscapes and providing critical habitat for rare, threatened, and endangered species like Gray’s lily, the rusty-patched bumblebee, and the golden-winged warbler.

There are two main origins of open areas along the A.T.: cultural and ecological. Most cultural open areas are relicts of an agricultural past, such as the open areas in the bucolic landscape surrounding Tyringham, Massachusetts. This part of the Berkshires was first settled in 1735 as an agricultural community and contains some of the largest open meadows within the A.T. corridor. These open areas are managed as priority habitat for grassland bird species like the bobolink and for pollinators, but also for grazing livestock to maintain the historical context of the area.

ATC staff and members of the Carolina Mountain Club plant native perennial wildflowers at Max Patch
From top: View from Big Bald looking north on the Trail — this critical migratory bird stopover habitat is part of the Southern Blue Ridge Important Bird Area; ATC staff and members of the Carolina Mountain Club plant native perennial wildflowers at Max Patch while stabilizing a closed, unsustainable social trail and benefiting pollinators, hikers, and birds.
Max Patch is an iconic example of an open area that is cultural in origin, but today management is more ecologically focused. This former cow pasture has experienced adverse impacts from increasing visitor use; in response, the ATC, Carolina Mountain Club, and U.S. Forest Service have teamed up to address these impacts, while increasing the ecological value for wildlife. Specifically, improved signage, native plant installations for birds and pollinators, and planting shrubs that wildlife depend on helps to protect the areas and deter hikers from accidentally harming them.

The open areas programming along the A.T. is continuing to evolve and grow through ongoing scientific research, expanding partnerships, robust support from the Appalachian National Scenic Trail office, and the work of Trail clubs and volunteers. The ATC will continue to manage these open areas to reclaim and preserve the iconic views along the A.T., while considering their ecological role in the greater landscape.

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A.T. – Shenandoah
National Park, Virginia
Photo by Raymond Salani III
For the Love of the Trail title
letter After being ushered into the local office of an Atlanta-based member of Congress, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s (ATC) southern regional director Morgan Sommerville and a Georgia Appalachian Trail Club volunteer were seated at his desk. On display was a meter. Its swiftly spinning digits flickered in a blur. “That,” boasted the fiscally conservative congressman while pointing at the gadget, “is the national debt.”

Not exactly words you want to hear when your pitch is to steer funds from the U.S. Treasury to protect the Appalachian Trail. For the next quarter of an hour, Sommerville and the volunteer politely listened to a lecture on government overreach. When his commentary concluded, the congressman looked at them and proclaimed that, despite the escalating value on his meter, he would pledge his support because, of course, everyone loves the Trail.

what color painting of the U.S. Forest Service v. Cowpasture River Preservation Association
U.S. Forest Service vs Cowpasture title
Illustration by Art Lien
Illustration by Art Lien
On February 24, 2020 the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in United States Forest Service, et al. v. Cowpasture River Preservation Association. The focus of the litigation is the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, a natural gas pipeline that would bring fracked natural gas from West Virginia into Virginia and North Carolina. While much of the news coverage around the case has centered on potential injury to the A.T., due to the hard work of Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), we do not believe either the A.T. or its viewshed will be significantly impacted by the construction of the pipeline. The real threat posed by the litigation is to the Cooperative Management System, sketched out in 1925, enabled in 1968 by the National Trails System Act, and painstakingly negotiated by the ATC, A.T. maintaining clubs, and the federal and state governments over the past 100 years.

The A.T. is a unit of the National Park Service, meaning that it is as much a national park as Glacier or Yosemite. It is, however, a “linear park,” not a “square park,” because it was designed to pass through other federal, state, and private lands. The beauty and intent of the National Trails System Act is that, by enabling national trails to traverse other federal units, it would enhance their recreational value without diminishing or confusing their management responsibilities or authorities. In the 52 years since the Trails Act became law, the participants in the system have successfully adhered to this idea, without encountering significant internal or external conflict.

On February 24, 2020 the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in United States Forest Service, et al. v. Cowpasture River Preservation Association. The focus of the litigation is the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, a natural gas pipeline that would bring fracked natural gas from West Virginia into Virginia and North Carolina. While much of the news coverage around the case has centered on potential injury to the A.T., due to the hard work of Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), we do not believe either the A.T. or its viewshed will be significantly impacted by the construction of the pipeline. The real threat posed by the litigation is to the Cooperative Management System, sketched out in 1925, enabled in 1968 by the National Trails System Act, and painstakingly negotiated by the ATC, A.T. maintaining clubs, and the federal and state governments over the past 100 years.

The A.T. is a unit of the National Park Service, meaning that it is as much a national park as Glacier or Yosemite. It is, however, a “linear park,” not a “square park,” because it was designed to pass through other federal, state, and private lands. The beauty and intent of the National Trails System Act is that, by enabling national trails to traverse other federal units, it would enhance their recreational value without diminishing or confusing their management responsibilities or authorities. In the 52 years since the Trails Act became law, the participants in the system have successfully adhered to this idea, without encountering significant internal or external conflict.

Champions of the Trail article title
View of of Mount Garfield from the A.T. – New Hampshire
Photo by Raymond Salani III
View of of Mount Garfield from the A.T. – New Hampshire
Photo by Raymond Salani III
By Leanna Joyner
By Leanna Joyner
The Appalachian Trail fosters a sense of freedom. Freedom to roam and to wander, and to breathe deep in the open, fresh wind. It’s the counterbalance, where you feel small among the trees but fully embodied in the wild spaces held within the realm of the Appalachian Trail. Like so many other freedoms we enjoy in the United States, this one exists because of civic engagement. The Trail itself was born on the backs of visionaries who could first believe in and then build a Trail over great distance. Like all great movements, the work of the people must be continued in order to be effective.

ur list of determined individuals includes those who reported hike completions of the entire Trail (thru-hikes or section-hikes) to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) since last spring. Congratulations to all 1,159 determined hikers who reported their completion of the entire Appalachian Trail in 2019. For the fourth year in a row, the number of thru-hikers who reported completing a flip-flop itinerary was greater than the number of those reporting a southbound thru-hike, although northbounders are the largest category by far again. We received applications from hikers as far away as Slovakia and China. The ATC wants to thank all of those hikers who are also ATC members and encourage others to give back to the Trail they love at:

2020 Milers

ur list of determined individuals includes those who reported hike completions of the entire Trail (thru-hikes or section-hikes) to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) since last spring. Congratulations to all 1,159 determined hikers who reported their completion of the entire Appalachian Trail in 2019. For the fourth year in a row, the number of thru-hikers who reported completing a flip-flop itinerary was greater than the number of those reporting a southbound thru-hike, although northbounders are the largest category by far again. We received applications from hikers as far away as Slovakia and China. The ATC wants to thank all of those hikers who are also ATC members and encourage others to give back to the Trail they love at:

2020 Milers
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While a thru-hike eventually ends, the journey as an Appalachian Trail advocate never does.
Jordan with his wife Alison at the end of his thru-hike in 2014
Empowering the next generation to be a voice for the Trail
Empowering the next generation to be a voice for the Trail
Appalachian focus
Appalachian focus
Northern Spring
photographer raymond salani iii
photographer
raymond salani iii
SPRINGTIME ON THE TRAIL ARRIVES LIKE A rushing stream. It hits the south and then moves north. The mountains have to wait for its arrival, but winter does eventually fade and spring shows up with a bang like a waterfall. In the north, spring almost seems like a second fall with all the different shades of green instead of varied colors. This particular year, spring arrived perfectly late in Beartown State Forest, Massachusetts because I was there just in time with my camera ready to capture it. The forest was established with the state’s purchase of 5,000 acres in 1921 and surrounding roads were created by workers with the Civilian Conservation Corps beginning in 1933. Beartown State Forest has two distinctly different worlds between the summer and winter. During the warm months the pristine 35-acre Benedict Pond attracts swimmers, boaters, and fishermen. An extensive network of trails on over 12,000 acres offers visitors a chance to glimpse deer, bear, bobcat, fisher, and other wildlife, including the park’s namesake, the black bear. Brooks, beaver ponds, rich deciduous forest, flowering shrubs, and wildflowers are plentiful. The Appalachian Trail passes near Benedict Pond and offers spectacular wooded views. In this particular section, the Trail opens up to grassy fields and a glimpse of local farmland, which has been part of the area for decades, is part of the pastoral landscape. Any photographer who loves hiking is always torn between spending more time enjoying a specific location and getting to see more of the Trail.  My photography work allows me to enjoy the Trail when I am not on it and to share its beauty with others. The A.T. definitely inspires both the artist and the hiker in me.
~Raymond “Flash” Salani III
Northern spring at Beartown State Forest, Massachusetts
A.T. CommunitiesTM
A.T. CommunitiesTM
Appalachian Trail Community logo
Waynesboro
Pennsylvania
Waynesboro
Pennsylvania
A Sense of Space and Place

Students learn the importance of the environment and green spaces surrounding their community.

Text and photos by
Tawnya Finney

learning in the classroom
Looking down from a summit along the Appalachian Trail, nearby towns often look neatly laid out in the valleys below. But have you ever wondered what it takes to design and build a town? What are the physical and cultural characteristics that make a town unique? Nestled along the South Mountain landscape and in the Cumberland Valley is the town of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. This growing rural area was designated as the Greater Waynesboro Area A.T. Community in 2014. As part of this designation, Waynesboro committed to educating the community and its youth about the importance of this landscape and the Trail.

Students learn the importance of the environment and green spaces surrounding their community.

Text and photos by
Tawnya Finney

learning in the classroom
View of the Waynesboro area from High Rock – a spur off of the  A.T.
Looking down from a summit along the Appalachian Trail, nearby towns often look neatly laid out in the valleys below. But have you ever wondered what it takes to design and build a town? What are the physical and cultural characteristics that make a town unique? Nestled along the South Mountain landscape and in the Cumberland Valley is the town of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. This growing rural area was designated as the Greater Waynesboro Area A.T. Community in 2014. As part of this designation, Waynesboro committed to educating the community and its youth about the importance of this landscape and the Trail.
trail stories
trail stories
In the Footsteps of the Ancestors
By Michelle “Northstar” Holmes
Photos by Derrick Z. Jackson

“Your trail name is very pretty, Northstar,” a hiker complimented me, “what does it mean?”

“The North Star — it shows us the way to go,” I said simply. Later, I lay in the dark, anxious about my journey. I was visited by a waking dream from a woman I call ‘The Ancestor.’ She was a fugitive from slavery, traveling north.

Like me, she was worried about her physical capability, injury, bears, and rattlesnakes. But the similarities end about there. I lay in a simple but sturdy shelter. She lay in a cellar. If lucky, she had a “sleeping pad” of straw. I wait for daylight to make my journey easy. She waits for nightfall to obscure captors. I mourn sending my dog companion home because she could not handle the cold. My Ancestor fears dogs that track her. I put on my wool socks in the cold and lace up my sturdy boots. Does she even have socks and shoes? I long for my family members. But I can reach them with a cell signal. She does too, but it will be months before she knows if they are dead, alive, or captured. I eat some beef jerky that I prepared. When I’m running low, I can call my family for mail drops. Surely my Ancestor prepared food for her journey too. But she does not know where her next supply of food will come from.

Voices of Dedication
Voices of Dedication
Passion in Leadership
Appalachian Trail Conservancy leaders and staff are uniquely dedicated and passionate in their service to the Trail. Each has their own connection and story. From the Board of Directors and the President’s Leadership Circle, to the Stewardship Council and the Next Generation Advisory Council — to dedicated full time and seasonal staff members — in the office or in the field, on the clock and off — we want you to get to know the people who work hard to promote and preserve the A.T. experience we all cherish.
Appalachian Train Conservancy Leaders - Lisa Koteen Gerchick
Lisa Koteen Gerchick lives in Fauquier County, Virginia, close by the A.T. and has enjoyed both urban and rural life for the past 25 years. As a member of the President’s Leadership Circle (PLC), Lisa works on fundraising events and activities, drawing on 40 years of experience. She considers it a privilege to support the ATC in preserving and enhancing such a treasured eastern wilderness for all. Lisa practiced international trade law, primarily as a trade negotiator for the U.S. government. She has engaged in volunteer nonprofit leadership for decades, first in her hometown, Washington, D.C., and subsequently in Virginia. She now devotes much of her time to election security and administration issues on behalf of the League of Women Voters. She was recently appointed as chair of a workgroup that advises the Virginia State Board of Elections. “My husband introduced me to hiking over thirty years ago,” she explains. “I was smitten. We shared our love of the Trail with our children, both of whom spent weeks hiking the A.T. when they were teenagers. They summited Katahdin, not me,” she adds. “For me, the beauty and essential nature of the Trail provide balance, and both a mental and a physical respite from our complex world.”
Appalachian Train Conservancy Leaders - Colin Beasley
Residing in New London, New Hampshire, Colin Beasley is the current Chair of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Board of Directors. His previous work as a member of the ATC President’s Leadership Circle (PLC) introduced him to what he refers to as “the extraordinary effort of so many people that enable such a complex ecosystem.” “Meeting and working with ATC employees, volunteers, Trail clubs, various agencies’ personnel, the board and other PLC members proved to be infectious,” he says. “I was humbled by the commitment and passion of so many people, past and present, who, for generations, have dedicated their time and energy to such a common ‘cause.’ And, I use that word deliberately. The A.T. is more than a footpath; it serves as the cornerstone for so much that is important to our lives today and in the future.” Colin believes the A.T., broadly defined, is important to any discussions addressing climate change, conservation, migratory patterns, and — in its natural state — our need for a respite from the stresses of our daily burdens. “Stewardship is taking on a whole new meaning,” he says. “We all have a role in paying it forward to ensure we leave to our children, grandchildren, and future generations a sense of the world that we have enjoyed. I think our mission is that important and I feel very fortunate to be part of such a legacy.”
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recommended
recommended
A photographic and historic exploration of man-made shelter on the A.T
Architectural Homage
A photographic and historic exploration of man-made shelter on the A.T.

A nostalgic desire to get out and experience the Trail again, led new mother and former thru-hiker Sarah Jones Decker to begin a richly informative examination of the varied and unique structures that offer shelter to hikers on the Appalachian Trail. In The Appalachian Trail: Backcountry Shelters, Lean-Tos, and Huts Decker explores the more than 250 backcountry structures that exist along the 2,193-mile footpath.

“I thru-hiked the A.T. in 2008 right after grad school,” she says. “After my daughter was born in 2017, I decided to celebrate my ten-year ‘Trailsversary,’ by hiking sections of the A.T. more often near our home.” (Sarah and her husband own an organic farm outside of the Trail town of Hot Springs, North Carolina.) “I wanted to get back in shape and decided to set the goal of hiking every month of 2018,” she says. “Since the A.T. runs some 70 miles right through and near Madison County from Max Patch to Big Bald, it was easy to get out every week. I revisited my journals from my thru-hike and saw that I had doodled about the idea of documenting all of the shelters on the Trail. I took pictures of some shelters in 2008, but definitely not all, so I had to go back to almost every shelter again.”

Trail Giving

Trail Giving
Dec. 2019 – Feb. 2020
DONORS
Ethan Pond by Amanda Wheelock

IN HONOR OF

Lisa Alfred by Erin Hillier
Bob Almand by Greg Winchester
William Appleby by Sara Baker
Jim Arrington by Sarah Petty
Matt Bader by Erin DeLaTorre
Danny Bagwell by Nanci McMaken
John Ball by Barbara Ball
Peter Barker by Mom & Dad
Louise & Bill Bazemore by Donna Torreyson
Greg “Mr. Burns” Beckham by Jon Beckham
Laura Belleville by Rubén A. Rosales
Ben & Pam Bensen by Katherine Porter
Laura Birchler by The Willans
Benjamin Michael Blais by John Anderson
Gerald & Joanie Blaney by Elizabeth Sass
Franklin Bloomer by Marilyn Geninatti
Alex Krispin by Tara Gordon
Zack Labadie by Alvin Ohlenbusch
Jessica Lang-Wright by David Goldsmith
Ann & Steve Larrick by Mary McKinley, John Stefanovich
Mary Lou Lee by Dr. & Mrs. Cyrus Bazemore, Jr., Donna Torreyson
Michael Leever by Debbie Westheimer
Nan Leininger by Michael & Lucy Fribourg
Edward Linke by Michele Ladd
Mark Lowry by Rebecca Lowry
Derick “Mr. Fabulous” Lugo by City of Roanoke, Roanoke Outside Foundation, Roanoke Regional Partnership
Joanna Lundberg by Thomas Baldwin
Karen Lutz by Jim Haggett
Dick & Linda Mackay by Mari-Joan Lucey
Macs Adventure Travelers by Mary Zonca
Mike Maher by Mary & Paul Scagliarini
Dec. 2019 – Feb. 2020
DONORS
Ethan Pond by Amanda Wheelock

IN HONOR OF

Lisa Alfred by Erin Hillier
Bob Almand by Greg Winchester
William Appleby by Sara Baker
Jim Arrington by Sarah Petty
Matt Bader by Erin DeLaTorre
Danny Bagwell by Nanci McMaken
John Ball by Barbara Ball
Peter Barker by Mom & Dad
Louise & Bill Bazemore by Donna Torreyson
Greg “Mr. Burns” Beckham by Jon Beckham
Laura Belleville by Rubén A. Rosales
Ben & Pam Bensen by Katherine Porter
Laura Birchler by The Willans
Benjamin Michael Blais by John Anderson
Gerald & Joanie Blaney by Elizabeth Sass
Franklin Bloomer by Marilyn Geninatti
Gabriela Bogdan by Stephanie Gillett
Paul Brame by Jeremy Brame
Renee & Randy Brooks by Christina McPhillips
Lucas Brown by Bradley Brown
Ruby Brown by Thea Brown
Bill & Margaret Bryant by Jennifer Bryant
Stacey “Stylez” Bucklin by Janelle Libertone
Mitch Buntemeyer by Lauren Buntemeyer
Mark Burch by Emily Burch
Juli & Philip Burgess by Gabrielle Delzer
Adam Campbell by Rebecca Fisk
Randy Carlson by Mom & Neil
Frank Condron by Angela Svoboda
Erica Coughlin by Reliable Staffing Services, LLC
Lee Alison Crawford by Anne Brown
Kiernan Deangelis by Dr. Joseph Campbell
Amanda Donovan & Zachery Tewey by Karen Duivenvoorden
Sam Duchame by Abigail Maddox
William Duncan by Graham Duncan
Michael Eldredge by Sarah Eldredge
Laura Engelmann by Trish Henrich
Ruth Ference & Frank George by Heather Hoechst
James Fielder by Stephen Casey, Priscilla Connolly
Christopher “Chris” Fisher by Rich & Dyane Miles, Ronda Pecaric, Lisa Reynolds
Gabriella Fonger by Shannon Fonger
Dennis “Mountain Man” Foster by David Champe, Pamela Pinwith, William Ulich
Lisa & John Godfrey by Renee Gruel
Andrea Greenberg by John & Madeline Wood
Tom Griffin & Family in memory: “Teese” wife by Donna Torreyson
Diane & Don Groff by Susan Merritt
April Guenzler by Wendy Galloway
Neil Hacker by Claire Hacker
James Hajduk by Jonathan Carter
Martha Harper by Dr. & Mrs. Bazemore, Jr., Donna Torreyson
Kelly Harrington by Kim Rally
Trish Harris by Sarah Parrish
Stewart “Decade” Harsant by Dave & Pam Harsant
Carl Hayden by Jean Ripple
Dr. Hal Hemme by Sara Caldwell
Rita Hennessy by Julie Judkins
Ed Higginbotham by Curt Bassett
Patrick Hilaire by Kyle Katchur
Julia Howard by Wilbur Clark
Steve Howell & Sarah McClennen by Robbin MacVittie
Doug Hubbard by Nancy Andrews
Larry & Doris Jelley by Joan Jelley Surles
Emma May & John by Dori Weigel
Carl Johnson by Bruce Johnson
Michael Johnson by Therese Dunn
Austin Kane by Rebecca Barilovits
Rick & Carolyn Kanoy by Jeanna Darby
E,R. Karalius by Mary McKinley, John Stefanovich
Darl & Joline Kolb by Susan Merritt
Alex Krispin by Tara Gordon
Zack Labadie by Alvin Ohlenbusch
Jessica Lang-Wright by David Goldsmith
Ann & Steve Larrick by Mary McKinley, John Stefanovich
Mary Lou Lee by Dr. & Mrs. Cyrus Bazemore, Jr., Donna Torreyson
Michael Leever by Debbie Westheimer
Nan Leininger by Michael & Lucy Fribourg
Edward Linke by Michele Ladd
Mark Lowry by Rebecca Lowry
Derick “Mr. Fabulous” Lugo by City of Roanoke, Roanoke Outside Foundation, Roanoke Regional Partnership
Joanna Lundberg by Thomas Baldwin
Karen Lutz by Jim Haggett
Dick & Linda Mackay by Mari-Joan Lucey
Macs Adventure Travelers by Mary Zonca
Mike Maher by Mary & Paul Scagliarini
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Parting Thought
Parting Thought
A.T. near Ceres, Virginia by Andrew Veal
A.T. near Ceres, Virginia by Andrew Veal

Almost one century after its publication, Benton MacKaye’s An Appalachian Trail: A Project in Regional Planning continues to be both relevant and prophetic. Take, for example, one of the reasons MacKaye identified the Trail as essential to mental health: “But living has been considerably complicated of late in various ways — by questions of personal liberty, and by ‘menaces’ of one kind or another. There have been created bitter antagonisms.” In an election year like 2020, few quotes from MacKaye’s article ring truer today. More to the point: never has an apolitical space like the Appalachian Trail been more necessary to escape the factionalism which, as of April 2020, will only become deeper as we head toward Election Day in November.

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