Pearisburg, VA Designated An Appalachian Trail Community(TM)

Online, June 7, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Pearisburg, VA - On June 18, 2011, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), in coordination with the Pearisburg Festival in the Park, the Outdoor Club at Virginia Tech (OCVT), and the Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club (RATC) will celebrate the town's designation by the ATC as an Appalachian Trail Community™. Scheduled speakers include Mayor Danny Robertson, Town Manager Ken Vittum, Virginia Senator John Edwards, and author Leonard Adkins.

The Appalachian Trail Community™ designation program is a new program of the nonprofit managers of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Launched in 2010, this program recognizes communities for their part in promoting awareness of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) as an important national and local resource. Towns, counties and communities along the A.T.'s corridor are considered assets by A.T. hikers, and many of these towns act as good friends and neighbors to the Trail.

"The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is proud to welcome Pearisburg as the newest member to the Appalachian Trail Community™ program," stated Julie Judkins, Community Program Manager of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. "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."

The designation ceremony will take place at 2:45 pm at the main stage in front of the Pearisburg Community Center.

Author and thru hiker Adkins will kick off the two day festival Friday night at 5 pm. Adkins will present a slideshow of his journey across the A.T. called "Traversing Ancient Mountains: 2,000 Miles on the Appalachian Trail".

Then on Saturday, June 18 at 5 pm, Adkins will give another presentation after the designation ceremony, featuring the photography of Joe and Monica Cook, "Wildflowers of the Appalachian Trail: A 2,000 Mile Floral Parade".

The ATC was founded in 1925 by volunteers and federal officials who were working to build a continuous footpath along the Appalachian Mountains. The A.T. is 2,181 miles in length from Maine to Georgia, making it the second longest, continuously marked footpath in the world. Volunteers typically donate more than 200,000 hours a year on trail-related work. About 2 to 3 million visitors walk a portion of the A.T. each year. The ATC is focused solely on preserving and managing the A.T. to ensure that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for centuries to come.

About the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy 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 please visit www.appalachiantrail.org.

Contact: Julie Judkins
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Tel: 828.254.3708 x11
Fax: 828.254.3754
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.appalachiantrail.org