Tin Man
04-28-2006, 07:09
From rutlandherald.com (http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060427/NEWS/604270319/1039)
Celebrate AT volunteers
April 27, 2006
By PAMELA UNDERHILL
Each year, thousands of private-citizen volunteers maintain and improve the Appalachian Trail, a public resource that millions of us enjoy. In doing so, they build personal connections to the A.T. and save millions of tax dollars. It is fitting to recognize and thank them during National Volunteer Week — April 23 through 29.
The "A.T." is officially the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, a 2,175-mile long footpath extending along the crest of the Appalachian Mountains through 14 states from Maine to Georgia. It includes not just the trail tread itself, but a corridor of adjoining federal and state lands rich in natural, cultural, and scenic resources, which is enjoyed by more than 4 million walkers, hikers, and backpackers each year. It passes close to several major cities and is within a day's drive of more than two-thirds of the U.S. population, yet it provides a wealth of opportunities for primitive, low-impact recreation in natural settings "away from it all."
The A.T. began as an idea in 1921, and was first completed by a loose confederation of volunteers and public land managers in 1937. In 1968, Congress designated it as America's first National Scenic Trail, and placed it under the overall administration of the National Park Service. The Trail was scouted and built, and is now maintained and improved, primarily by dedicated citizen volunteers from local trail clubs affiliated with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC). Today there are 30 A.T. Clubs with more than 120,000 members who partner cooperatively with ATC, National Parks, National Forests, and state land-managing agencies to care for the A.T.
In 2005, more than 5,500 volunteers, men and women of all ages, races, ethnicities, and backgrounds, reported more than 195,000 hours of effort on the A.T. valued at $3.4 million dollars. Since many volunteers do not report their efforts, the actual level of contributions is much higher.
Some volunteers live very close to the A.T., while others travel considerable distances to ensure that this wonderful resource is safe and enjoyable for the American people to use and enjoy.
Please join us in celebrating the efforts of A.T. volunteers by spending some time on the Trail — a short walk to a scenic overlook, an afternoon hike, or a longer journey. And, when you come upon a volunteer on the trail clearing brush, painting the blazes that mark the way, cleaning out a drainage dip, repairing a footbridge, monitoring the air or water or some rare plant species, or doing a myriad of other work, please tell them, "Thanks for taking care of a national treasure."
If you would like to learn more about A.T. volunteers and the Appalachian Trail itself — and join in the fun — please visit www.appalachiantrail.org on the Internet.
Pamela Underhill is the Appalachian Trail park manager for the National Park Service and David N. Startzell is executive director for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, both based out of Harpers Ferry, W.Va.
Celebrate AT volunteers
April 27, 2006
By PAMELA UNDERHILL
Each year, thousands of private-citizen volunteers maintain and improve the Appalachian Trail, a public resource that millions of us enjoy. In doing so, they build personal connections to the A.T. and save millions of tax dollars. It is fitting to recognize and thank them during National Volunteer Week — April 23 through 29.
The "A.T." is officially the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, a 2,175-mile long footpath extending along the crest of the Appalachian Mountains through 14 states from Maine to Georgia. It includes not just the trail tread itself, but a corridor of adjoining federal and state lands rich in natural, cultural, and scenic resources, which is enjoyed by more than 4 million walkers, hikers, and backpackers each year. It passes close to several major cities and is within a day's drive of more than two-thirds of the U.S. population, yet it provides a wealth of opportunities for primitive, low-impact recreation in natural settings "away from it all."
The A.T. began as an idea in 1921, and was first completed by a loose confederation of volunteers and public land managers in 1937. In 1968, Congress designated it as America's first National Scenic Trail, and placed it under the overall administration of the National Park Service. The Trail was scouted and built, and is now maintained and improved, primarily by dedicated citizen volunteers from local trail clubs affiliated with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC). Today there are 30 A.T. Clubs with more than 120,000 members who partner cooperatively with ATC, National Parks, National Forests, and state land-managing agencies to care for the A.T.
In 2005, more than 5,500 volunteers, men and women of all ages, races, ethnicities, and backgrounds, reported more than 195,000 hours of effort on the A.T. valued at $3.4 million dollars. Since many volunteers do not report their efforts, the actual level of contributions is much higher.
Some volunteers live very close to the A.T., while others travel considerable distances to ensure that this wonderful resource is safe and enjoyable for the American people to use and enjoy.
Please join us in celebrating the efforts of A.T. volunteers by spending some time on the Trail — a short walk to a scenic overlook, an afternoon hike, or a longer journey. And, when you come upon a volunteer on the trail clearing brush, painting the blazes that mark the way, cleaning out a drainage dip, repairing a footbridge, monitoring the air or water or some rare plant species, or doing a myriad of other work, please tell them, "Thanks for taking care of a national treasure."
If you would like to learn more about A.T. volunteers and the Appalachian Trail itself — and join in the fun — please visit www.appalachiantrail.org on the Internet.
Pamela Underhill is the Appalachian Trail park manager for the National Park Service and David N. Startzell is executive director for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, both based out of Harpers Ferry, W.Va.