Damascus - PNTS

8/6/2019 Damascus - PNTS

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Appalachian Trail Community: Damascus







ATC

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is a private, non-profit

organization, designated by the National Park Service to

manage and maintain the Trail.

Our organization works with 31 Trail-maintaining clubs, theNational Park Service and the United States Forest Service.





The Birth of a Trail

«The Early Years





Benton MacKaye





1922-1923 First segment completed





MacKaye and Avery



1937 Final segment of the Appalachian Trail was connected



1960·s





1984



ATC

Last year, more than 6,200volunteers contributed over 220,000hours to Trail maintenance projects.



A life time of service





Trail Threats



MeGa Transect

The Appalachian Trail is not only the world¶s

most renowned hiking trail, it is an important

ecological corridor from which we can gauge

the health of high elevation forests along theeastern seaboard of the United States.



Mega Transect and Citizen Science



Invasive Species





Trail to Every Classroom



Trail to Every Classroom



Appalachian Trail Communities




To begin or enhance dialogue (build common ground, establish ongoing

communication, have a voice at the table)

To build capacity for land managers and communities to identify andaddress adjacent land issues through place-based partnership initiatives

To increase visibility for the A.T.; increase volunteers; engage new

users

To support community initiatives for sustainable economic development,

green infrastructure planning, etc«

WHY?



How the Trail Benefits Communities

Protecting Natural Resources:vital habitat corridors, species diversity, ecosystem services thatcitizens depend on such as watershed, air quality, foodsheds and evenmedicine

Protecting Rural Character and Place:ridgelines, river corridors, visual relief by framing neighborhoods in theface of sprawl, preserving farmland (e.g. in PA)

Healthier lifestyles:encouraging hiking, walking, jogging from a close location, positive life-long exercise and experience, free!

Education:citizen scientists, outdoor classrooms, experiential learning, teachingstewardship

Enhanced quality of life for residents



Economic Impact of Long Distance Trails

Have the potential to

Create jobs,

Enhance property values,

Expand local businesses, attract new or relocatingbusinesses,

Increase local tax revenues,

Decrease local government expenditures,

Low cost health care (Let¶s Move!),and promote local communities



Let¶s Move! Along the Appalachian Trail

Let¶s Move Outside!: President's Active Lifestyle

Award by committing to physical activity five days a

week, for six weeks

Let¶s

Move Cities and Towns!: encouraging our A.T.Communities as a next step in designation



³We know that the Appalachian Trail hikers have a positive

economic impact on our town and we want to celebrate that.´

Linda Schlott from Franklin


Benefits for Communities:



Media Support

National Network

Logo Usage

Signage

Increased Recognition and Visibility

Teacher Eligibility

Increased Environmental Stewardship

Appalachian Trail Community Benefits




How?



Damascus





Outcomes and Successes:Great Barrington trail building work trips, and a young interviewer series involving

students interviewing A.T. thru hikers. Great Barrington Trails and Greenways is a

collaborative effort promoting the development of an interconnected trail system that willsupport walking, biking, and boating.



Outcomes and Successes:

Franklin, NCWhite blaze in town logo

Shelter donation

Community Map

TTEC teachers ± hiking 101 April Fool¶s Hiking Festival

(growth from 200 to 1000)



Outcomes and Successes:

Unicoi County

Importance of Rocky Fork Acquisition

Balancing Nature and Commerce Workshop

Entrepreneurs Workshop

Hiking Trails info

Festival

Increased land managerand community partnership



Join the Journey

Documents

Damascus - PNTS