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Appalachian Trail Community: Damascus
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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.
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The Birth of a Trail
«The Early Years
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1922-1923 First segment completed
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1937 Final segment of the Appalachian Trail was connected
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ATC
Last year, more than 6,200volunteers contributed over 220,000hours to Trail maintenance projects.
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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.
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Mega Transect and Citizen Science
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Trail to Every Classroom
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Trail to Every Classroom
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Appalachian Trail Communities
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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?
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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
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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
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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
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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
Appalachian Trail Communities
Benefits for Communities:
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Media Support
National Network
Logo Usage
Signage
Increased Recognition and Visibility
Teacher Eligibility
Increased Environmental Stewardship
Appalachian Trail Community Benefits
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Appalachian Trail Communities
How?
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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.
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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)
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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