AT Journeys Logo Spring 2023
Growth Edition
Man in red helmet and hiking gear, planting tree in forest
Spring 2023
Support the Trail You Love
Contents / Spring 2023
departments
features
Red spruce forests are critical to biodiversity in the southern Appalachians and provide an unforgettable A.T. experience. / By Kim O’Connell
Two young adults embarking on careers in conservation share their thoughts on the A.T.’s future. / With Simon Heinberg and Lauren Wiggins
Congratulations to all 1,732 who reported completing the entire Appalachian Trail since 2019!
Sun rays break through the morning fog along the Appalachian Trail in north Georgia. This photo by Katie Stilwell was submitted as part of a state-by-state photo contest currently under way with the ATC’s email community and social media followers.
Find out more at appalachiantrail.org.
On The Cover

Conner McBane, natural resource specialist at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, plants a red spruce seedling on Whitetop Mountain in Virginia.
Photo by Chris Gallaway/Horizonline Pictures

Sun rays break through the morning fog along the Appalachian Trail in north Georgia.
Sun rays break through the morning fog along the Appalachian Trail in north Georgia. This photo by Katie Stilwell was submitted as part of a state-by-state photo contest currently under way with the ATC’s email community and social media followers.
Find out more at appalachiantrail.org.
On The Cover

Conner McBane, natural resource specialist at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, plants a red spruce seedling on Whitetop Mountain in Virginia.
Photo by Chris Gallaway/Horizonline Pictures

A.T. Journeys logo Spring 2023

ATC Executive Leadership

Sandra Marra / President & CEO
Nicole Prorock / Chief Financial Officer
Laura Belleville / Vice President of Conservation and Policy
Hawk Metheny / Vice President of Regional and Trail Operations
Lisa Zaid / Vice President of Advancement

A.T. Journeys

Anne Merrill / Associate Vice President of Advancement
Traci Anfuso-Young / Art Director / Designer

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 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 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.

MISSION

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s mission is to protect, manage, and advocate for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

Board of Directors

Colin P. Beasley / Chair
Robert E. Hutchinson, Jr. / Vice Chair
James LaTorre / Secretary
Patricia Shannon / Treasurer
Daniel A. Howe / Chair, Stewardship Council
Sandra Marra / President & CEO
Grant L. Davies
Rita Hennessy
John W. Knapp, Jr.
Yong Lee
Colleen Peterson
Eboni Preston
Nathan G. Rogers
Katherine Ross
Rajinder Singh
Jeri Ward
Nicole Wooten

© 2023 Appalachian Trail Conservancy. All rights reserved.
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 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 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.

President’s Letter
The Appalachian Trail is a path that we walk on — but it is also a path that leads us in ways that we do not know or understand until we are well along the journey.
The Appalachian Trail near Roan High Knob Shelter in North Carolina.
Photo by Jason Breland
growth
It’s springtime and there is change in the air. The landscape starts to emerge with green peeking out from brown and, maybe, snow cover. Bird songs fill the air and temperatures shift, sometimes with wide swings in a single day. The days are longer, and the sun is warmer. Accompanying all of this, for me at least, is a renewed energy and a feeling of anticipation. Surely all these changes can bring only good things.

Working on behalf of the Appalachian Trail, it is hard to not think about the importance and impact of change. As the Trail emerges from winter, the sounds of chainsaws fill the air as volunteers clear out the detritus of winter storms and winds — making sure the tread is clear for hikers. At the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), we are hiring our seasonal staff and starting large-scale projects to support the Trail and the surrounding landscape. It is spring cleaning at its most intense.

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highlights / events

Ground level photo looking up through the canopy of an ash tree
Fundraising Success
Conservationist inspecting bark of ash tree
Funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will support the ATC’s efforts to protect ash trees from the deadly emerald ash borer using a proven pesticide treatment. Photo by Chris Gallaway/Horizonline Pictures
ATC Among First in Nation to Receive America the Beautiful Challenge Funding
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is one of 55 inaugural recipients of America the Beautiful Challenge funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Announced in November 2022, the grants support projects that conserve, restore, and connect habitats for wildlife while improving community resilience and access to nature.

The ATC was awarded $515,800 to manage invasive species and protect endangered ash trees in national forests in five states (Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia). The ATC team will treat 835 ash trees and invasives across more than 300 acres, as well as monitor some 4,000 acres of additional forestland.

“The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is honored to receive this generous grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to support forest and ecosystem health along the southern half of the Appalachian Trail,” said Sandra Marra, President and CEO of the ATC. “This region is one of the most biodiverse in the entire East Coast, and that is part of what makes the A.T. so globally significant and beautiful for our millions of annual visitors.”

A single invasive species has destroyed hundreds of millions of ash trees across North America, including thousands along the A.T. A metallic green beetle about the size of a grain of rice, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a highly effective killer. Once infected, an ash tree has less than a 1 percent chance of surviving. Funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will support a proven pesticide treatment, which inoculates healthy ash trees against the EAB.

In addition to the ash tree treatments, the foundation’s funding will support the ATC’s comprehensive management plan for non-native invasive species in six national forests along the Trail. Non-native invasive species can cause ecological damage by reducing the diversity of complex forest communities that provide habitats for a diverse array of wildlife.

All of the funded projects will also advance the America the Beautiful priority of workforce development by engaging Service Corps crews and existing A.T. volunteers.

Dozens of ATC donors have also supported this critical work. To learn more about how you can contribute, visit appalachiantrail.org.
News and Updates
U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), John Knapp, Sandra Marra, Rita Hennessy, Brendan Mysliwiec, and James LaTorre
U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), third from left, with ATC board and staff members (from left) John Knapp, Sandra Marra, Rita Hennessy, Brendan Mysliwiec, and James LaTorre at Hike the Hill in February 2023.
Sustaining Congressional Support for Conservation, Public Lands
Before concluding its second session in January 2023, the 117th Congress demonstrated renewed support for conserving public lands, including the Appalachian Trail landscape. Through reauthorization of the Highlands Conservation Act, the A.T. corridor in four northeastern states (Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania) may directly benefit from additional funding. The Highlands area extends over 3 million acres and includes critical watersheds that support major metropolitan areas, as well as many formerly rural but quickly developing exurban areas.

In the 2023 federal budget, the National Park Service received an overall increase of 6.4 percent, which should help address staff attrition over the past two decades. The park service office responsible for the Appalachian Trail has benefited from an increase in funding over the past three fiscal years — in order to perform work that cannot be done by the ATC, the Trail Maintaining Clubs, and volunteers.

Just prior to press time, CEO Sandi Marra, ATC staff, and several members of the ATC Board of Directors participated in both the 26th Hike the Hill™ and the 2nd National Park Foundation Hill Day in Washington, DC. Over the course of five days, they met with 24 different U.S. House and Senate offices to underscore the importance of supporting our public lands networks (especially the A.T.!).

ATC BOARD ELECTION AND MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Nominations are currently being accepted for candidates to succeed four retiring members of the ATC’s Board of Directors. The deadline to submit a nomination is June 19. If there is anyone you wish to nominate, or if you are interested in serving, we would like to know.

The slate of nominees will be announced on the ATC’s website in July. It will be voted on by the ATC’s membership in late summer/early fall.

To learn about the desired skills and experience of board members, as well as how to submit a nomination, visit: appalachiantrail.org/board2023.
View of Katahdin from Abol Bridge. Photo by Scott Gamble
View of Katahdin from Abol Bridge. Photo by Scott Gamble
Trail Grows by 4.1 Miles in 2023

There is more of the Appalachian Trail to love in 2023! The Trail grew by 4.1 miles, to a total of 2,198.4 miles.

The total length of the A.T. typically changes slightly each year due to footpath relocations and more precise measurement techniques. The increase for 2023 was due to three significant
detours/relocations in New York and Maine, and a series of more precise measurements in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

In New York, an additional 3.0 miles were added to bypass a dangerous road crossing over the heavily trafficked Palisades Interstate Parkway. The route across the overpass is the official A.T. route until a new permanent crossing is developed. The short (0.2-mile) detour on Fourth Mountain in Maine has moved the Trail onto more sustainable land.

In Massachusetts and Connecticut, the ATC and Trail Maintaining Clubs employed more accurate measuring techniques and equipment, which resulted in a combined 0.9-mile increase.

Detailed information about temporary Trail relocations or closures is available in real time on the ATC’s website at appalachiantrail.org/trail-updates.
Events
AT Museum Hall of Fame inductees standing together holding ceremonial walking sticks
Near Unaka Mountain in the Cherokee National Forest. Photo by Michael Kane
A.T. Vista Returns in August 2023
A four-day gathering of hiking and outdoor enthusiasts, A.T. Vista will take place in and around Johnson City, Tennessee — adjacent to the Cherokee National Forest and a short distance from the A.T.
Appalachian Trail Vista logo
The programming kicks off on Friday, August 4, and runs through Monday, August 7. Events include over 40 hikes, many of which will be on the Appalachian Trail. There are some 35 workshops expected, as well as more than ten excursions. Evening entertainment includes concerts and opportunities to meet other attendees. Accommodations are available on the East Tennessee State University campus, as well as in nearby hotels and campgrounds.

Volunteers are needed for many activities. The ticket price of $100 for the entire weekend (or $50 for youth 16 and under) increases to $125 after May 31.

Early registration is available now at www.atvista2023.org.
Trending Now
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Follow the ATC on TikTok
More than trendy dances, TikTok is a social media platform for sharing short-form videos on a variety of topics (with and without music). Many leading nonprofits — including United Way, American Red Cross, ASPCA, and Oceana — are increasingly using the platform to raise awareness about their causes among a new generation of young people. The majority of TikTok users are between ages 16 and 34. With over 1 billion monthly active users, it is the fastest growing social media platform in the world.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy launched its TikTok channel in February 2023. The videos shared, each less than 60 seconds long, showcase the beauty and diversity of the Appalachian Trail, as well as the work of the ATC to protect and manage it. The goal is to meet young people where they are already spending time (an average of 95 minutes per day) and inspire them to learn more about and/or give back to the Trail.

A key to success on the platform is embracing its fun and authentic tone, as well as adopting trending songs and hashtags. So if you follow the ATC on other platforms, you may notice the vibe on TikTok is somewhat different.

To check out the content for yourself, search for @appalachiantrail.

TikTok screenshots
TikTok screenshots

Appalachian Focus

ALIVE WITH SPRING

ENGINE GAP, ON THE APPALACHIAN Trail near the Carver’s Gap access point, sits about halfway between the well-known dominant ridges of Round Bald and Jane Bald along the North Carolina — Tennessee border. “The area comes to life in the spring with an annual display of all the Roan Highlands have to offer,” says photographer Daniel Burleson. “Flame azaleas are one of my favorite blooms to see.”

Photo by Daniel Burleson

Daniel Burleson is a photographer based in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, imagecarolina.net

Engine Gap on the Appalachian Trail

spotlight

Kate Hubbard and Bill McGinnis

Enjoyment of the Appalachian Trail was a common thread in the lives of Kate Hubbard and Bill McGinnis before they met each other just off the Trail in North Carolina. Photo courtesy of Bill McGinnis

A Serendipitous Meeting
Connection through — and on — the Appalachian Trail
By Anne Sentz

AS A YOUNG BOY GROWING UP IN Atlanta, Bill McGinnis remembers the first time he realized the Appalachian Trail extended beyond the familiar landscape of Georgia. Bill was part of Boy Scout Troop 298, and monthly camping trips were an integral part of his Scouting experience. “Every month, we would put on a backpack,” he recalls. “Some of our backpacking trips were on the Appalachian Trail, and that’s when I started realizing that the Trail goes from Georgia to Maine. It was really intriguing to me, and I always wanted to do the whole thing.”

Bill, who is now a sales engineer in Atlanta, remains connected to the A.T. to this day. He is a section hiker who finds great joy in sharing the Trail with others — including his three children. “I went to college and then went to live in different places, but when I made my way back to Atlanta in the ’90s, I got back on the A.T. and took my kids,” he says. “Eventually, we got to the point where I was taking them on backpacking trips.”

Saving
Islands in
the Sky

An iconic tree of the Southern Appalachians, the red spruce, is the focus of a longterm effort to preserve one of the most endangered habitats in North America — and a distinct A.T. experience.

By Kim O’Connell
three ATC volunteers photographed wearing helmets and holding small spruce trees in plastic pots
Top: A relic of the last Ice Age, red spruce forests in the southern Appalachians cling to high-elevation ridge lines; Above: The ATC’s work to restore these forests has involved a diverse group of partners and volunteers helping to plant red spruce seedlings. Photos by Chris Gallaway/Horizonline Pictures
O

n a golden October day, a dozen or so people headed off trail through an Appalachian forest. They climbed higher and higher, their boots crunching the leaf litter beneath them. Trees soared above their heads, many of them hardwoods, with leaves flashing amber and red.

Each person in the group had a different degree of familiarity with this section of woods, and a different amount of conservation experience. But they were united by what they carried in their hands — red spruce seedlings, none more than two feet tall — and their mission: to help restore the red spruce forest in the southern Appalachian Mountains.

A relic species of the last Ice Age that thrives in colder temperatures, the red spruce was once a mainstay of the eastern North American forest from the southern Appalachians to coastal Canada. However, in the 19th and early 20th centuries widespread logging cut its historic range in half. This made the remaining forests vulnerable to wildfires that burned with such intensity that they destroyed the very organic matter that spruce trees need for their seeds to sprout. In a warmer climate, red spruce in the southern Appalachians now exist mostly on the highest mountaintops, forming dark green “sky islands.” Further temperature increases will continue to stress the trees, making them more vulnerable to pests and wind disturbance events.

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FROM
GENERATION
TO GENERATION

New perspectives on the Appalachian Trail
With Simon Heinberg and Lauren Wiggins

The Appalachian Trail is a multigenerational project. Throughout its 102-year history, maintenance and management of the Trail have passed through at least six generations—from Benton MacKaye’s to members of the Greatest Generation, Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials.

In January 2023, the first member of Congress from Generation Z, Maxwell Frost (FL-10), was sworn in. As a new generation begins to assume societal leadership roles, what are their thoughts about inheriting responsibility for the A.T.? And more broadly, what expectations do they have for the continued protection of public lands used for outdoor recreation?

We recently sat down with two twenty-somethings pursuing careers in environmental conservation to hear their thoughts, ideas, and concerns.

illustration of Lauren and Simon with butterfly artwork around them
Illustration by Lila Shokr
Recognizing 2,000 Milers
Coordinates
Congratulations to all 1,732 determined hikers who reported completing the entire Appalachian Trail since 2019! The following list includes those who reported finishing thru-hikes of all types (flip-flops, southbound, etc.) and section hikes to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC). The number of thru-hike attempts and finishes in 2022 was just shy of the record number recorded in 2017. We received applications from hikers as far away as the Czech Republic and Australia. The ATC wants to thank all of those hikers who are also ATC members and encourages others to give back to the trail they love at: appalachiantrail.org/give
Please note: This marks the last year this listing will appear in the magazine. You can find all 2,000 miler names on our website at appalachiantrail.org/2000milers.
Coordinates
Hiker with back turned Northbound. Franconia Ridge, New Hampshire
Photo by Sam Vivegnis, Panda, Northbound.
Franconia Ridge, New Hampshire
voices from the trail
A LIFE’S WORK
Reflections on the A.T. and a career in the National Park Service
By Wendy Janssen

I am writing these words as I prepare to retire after 35 years with the National Park Service, including nearly 10 years as Superintendent of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

Fulfilling the National Park Service’s mission has been my life’s work. I have been honored to work at incredible parks with amazing stories and landscapes, with people who have made a lasting impact in both my life and the lives of others, and for an agency with colleagues who exemplify the very best of government service. My career has taken me to many places and provided me with unforgettable experiences. I have had so many opportunities to contribute, to improve the resource, to work with those who helped write our collective American history, and to encourage the youth who will lead our future.

PARTING THOUGHT
An American Story
~ By Lisa Zaid

In 1941, the Appalachian Trail Conference held its last meeting before the end of World War II. That final meeting was about preparing for war. Some of those involved in the conference were active-duty military and had been called to serve. During that time, my family was already in the war. By 1941, their shtetls and hometowns had been turned into ghettos or had been burned to the ground during the Nazi invasion of Poland. I often think about the parallels of that — how the planning of one of the greatest hiking trails in the world grounded to a halt during one of the darkest chapters of human history. 

But by 1948, the world was experiencing a profound sense of rebirth. That year, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, asserting that everyone has a right to freedom of movement and thought. In 1948, the Appalachian Trail Conference held its first meeting since the war to continue the work of the A.T. In 1948, a World War II veteran, Earl Shaffer, became the first A.T. thru- hiker — an attempt to “walk off the war.” That same year, in 1948, my dad was born in a displaced persons camp on the island of Cyprus to two Holocaust survivors — one of about 2,000 children born there to survivors fleeing Europe after the war.

Photo of Mount Lafayette, New Hampshire, taken by Joni Skogman, North Star, one of 1,732 hikers who completed a recent thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail.

Photo of Mount Lafayette, New Hampshire, taken by Joni Skogman, North Star, one of 1,732 hikers who completed a recent thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. The listing of the newest 2,000 milers begins here.

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