REI Awards Appalachian Trail Conservancy $20,000 Grant to Support Volunteer Leadership Development

REI Awards Appalachian Trail Conservancy $20,000 Grant to Support Volunteer Leadership Development

Saturday, June 16, 2012

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The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) announced yesterday that it has just received a $20,000 grant from REI, a national outdoor retailer, to support the ATC's Volunteer Leadership Meeting held this August.

Ninety leaders from the ATC's 31 Trail Club affiliates will attend the two day meeting to focus on volunteer leadership development. Participants will learn about volunteer recruitment and retention, Trail history and culture, and the role of technology and social media. The event will take place from August 10 to 12 at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.

REI has provided support to the ATC for nearly a decade. Annually, REI dedicates a portion of its operating profits to support and participate in outdoor volunteerism — working with hundreds of nonprofit organizations in communities across the country.

“The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is proud to have supporters like REI to help further train and develop the future leaders and stewards of the Appalachian Trail,” said Mark Wenger, executive director of the ATC.

REI stores in Georgia and Virginia have conducted many Leave No Trace workshops for volunteers. Last year the Asheville REI store hosted the Radical Reels Tour, donating all proceeds to the ATC. REI staff has also assisted several times with the ATC's Trail to Every Classroom program training.

“At REI we are committed to living active lives in the outdoors and caring for the places where we recreate,” said Ray Dinterman, REI retail director. “In partnership with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, we bring our stewardship ethic to life by working side-by-side with our members, employees and entire communities maintaining one of our country’s most treasured resources, the Appalachian Trail.”





Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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REI Awards the ATC a $20,000 Grant for Appalchian Trail Community Program

REI Awards the ATC a $20,000 Grant for Appalchian Trail Community Program

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

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The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is pleased to announce that it has received a $20,000 grant from the REI, a national outdoor retailer committed to connecting people with nature. The funds will go towards recruiting and training Appalachian Trail Community™ Ambassadors, in support of the Appalachian Trail Community™ program.

The Appalachian Trail Community™ program is designed to recognize communities that promote and protect the A.T. 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 program serves to assist communities with sustainable economic development through tourism and outdoor recreation, while preserving and protecting the A.T. To date the ATC has approved 11 communities for designation and plans to designate another three in the upcoming year.

“The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is excited to have the opportunity to expand and support our Appalachian Trail Community™ program,” stated Julie Judkins, Community Program Manager of the ATC. “Thanks to organizations like REI, we are able to increase capacity and resources to our trailside communities.”

The Appalachian Trail Community™ Ambassadors initiative was announced at the ATC’s 2011 Biennial Conference on July 1-8, 2011. Ambassadors will coordinate a series of Trail-related volunteer stewardship events over the course of one year. Ambassadors will connect community citizens and potential new volunteers with ongoing and new ATC and affiliated Trail-Club events, functions, and volunteer opportunities such as invasive-exotic plant monitoring and control, or trail crews. They will act on behalf of the A.T. at community meetings, events, and assist in support of ATC initiatives.

REI has provided support to the ATC for nearly a decade. Annually, REI dedicates a portion of its operating profits to help protect and restore the environment, increase access to outdoor activities, and encourage involvement in responsible outdoor recreation. For more information about REI, visit www.rei.com/stewardship.

“REI applauds the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s commitment to preserving one of the nation’s most treasured trails,” said Angie Perez, REI’s Northeast District Outreach and Events Administrator. “This program complements our vision of connecting individuals, families and entire communities to nature through volunteerism and outdoor stewardship.”


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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