Nelson County, VA
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) will celebrate the official designation of Nelson County, Virginia as the newest Appalachian Trail (A.T.) Community™ on October 17, 2012, from 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., at the Nelson Center located at 8445 Thomas Nelson Hwy, Lovingston, Virginia. This event is free and open to the public.
The designation will begin with guest speakers including Mark Wenger, executive director/CEO of the ATC and Laura Belleville, director of conservation for the ATC, as well as local representatives from Nelson County.
“The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is proud to celebrate communities that are helping to protect and promote the Appalachian Trail,” said Julie Judkins, community program manager for the ATC. “These new partnerships will increase local stewardship of public lands, support community initiatives for sustainable economic development and conservation planning as well as support healthy lifestyles for community citizens.”
After the ceremony, guests are welcome to snack on local apples donated by Drumheller’s Orchard and beverages while they view a slideshow of photographs of the A.T. near Nelson County and of local trail clubs doing trail maintenance.
The ATC will also host “ATopoly”, an activity for all ages to learn more about the A.T. and Leave No Trace principles.
A variety of local outdoor clubs and organizations will have informational booths set up during the event as well.
The Appalachian Trail Community™ is a new program of the ATC, the nonprofit responsible for management and protection of the A.T. Launched in 2010, this program recognizes and thanks communities for their part in promoting the A.T. as an important local and national asset.
EVENT OVERVIEW
Nelson County, Virginia A.T. Community Designation
Date: October 17, 2012
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Nelson Center
8445 Thomas Nelson Hwy
Lovingston, Virginia 22949
Program Schedule:
A.T. Community Designation Ceremony (1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.)
Activities (2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.)
– A.T. Slideshow
– “ATopoly”
Information Booths (2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.)
– Appalachian Trail Conservancy
– Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club
– Tidewater Appalachian Trail Club
– Old Dominion Appalachian Trail Club
– Blue Ridge Mountain Sports of Charlottesville
The ATC was founded in 1925 by volunteers and federal officials working to build a continuous footpath along the Appalachian Mountains. Stretching from Georgia to Maine, the A.T. is approximately 2,180 miles in length, making it one of the longest, continuously marked footpaths in the world. Volunteers typically donate more than 220,000 hours of their time doing trail-related work each year, and about 2 to 3 million visitors walk a portion of the A.T. each year. This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the completion of the A.T.
For more information about the Appalachian Trail Community™ program, visit www.appalachiantrail.org/atcommunity.
About the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
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. For more information about the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, visit www.appalachiantrail.org
