Warwick, New York Designated an Appalachian Trail Community

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy will celebrate the official designation of Warwick, New York as its newest Appalachian Trail Community™ on June 30, 2012.

Warwick, NY, June 03, 2012 --(PR.com)-- The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) will celebrate the official designation of Warwick, New York as its newest Appalachian Trail Community™ on June 30, 2012 at the Bellvale Farms Creamery in Warwick, NY. A day-long event is scheduled including a pancake breakfast, tours of the area and nine guided Appalachian Trail (A.T.) hikes. An official dedication ceremony will take place at noon.

The designation is the result of a town-wide effort to showcase Warwick's commitment to past and future efforts to promote and protect its 10 mile section of the A.T.

“The Town of Warwick is honored to be the first town in New York State to receive the designation as an Appalachian Trail Community,” said Michael Sweeton, Warwick Town Supervisor. “We are looking forward to welcoming Trail enthusiasts to our town and villages. We are proud of our traditions of respecting our environment and scenic landscapes, which we look forward to sharing with Trail visitors.”

The Appalachian Trail Community™ designation is a new program of the ATC, the nonprofit responsible for management and protection of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Launched in 2010, this program recognizes communities for their part in promoting awareness of the A.T. as an important local and national asset.

Designation as an Appalachian Trail Community™ and participation in the program is aimed to engage community residents, Trail visitors and stewards, and thank communities for their decades of service to hikers. Participation in the program will act as a catalyst for sustainable economic development, aid municipalities and regional areas with conservation planning initiatives and promote the Trail as a community resource and asset.

“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 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.”

Schedule of Events:
8:00 a.m. – Outdoor Pancake Breakfast, Lions Field, Greenwood Lake
9:00 a.m. – Guided hikes for families led by A.T. Members
12:00 p.m. – Dedication at the top of Mt. Peter
1:00 p.m. – Guided hikes continue

The ATC was founded in 1925 by volunteers and federal officials working to build a continuous footpath along the Appalachian Mountains. The A.T. is approximately 2,180 miles in length, ranging from Maine to Georgia, making it one of the longest, continuously marked footpath in the world. Volunteers typically donate more than 220,000 hours each year on Trail-related work 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 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: Javier Folgar
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Tel: (304) 535-2200 ext. 117
Fax: 304.535.2667
Email: jfolgar@appalachiantrail.org
Web: www.appalachiantrail.org
Contact
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Javier Folgar
304.535.6331 x117
appalachiantrail.org
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