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Free Memorial Day Activity: Take a Hike

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Thursday, May 24, 2018   

Unicoi, TN - Chances are that if you have outdoor plans this weekend, you have a land trust to thank for preserving outdoor recreation. This weekend, with thousands of people expected on the trails, outdoor enthusiasts are reminding folks to stick to the established trails while exploring in order to protect the ecosystems. Comments from Angela Shepherd, communications director, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy.

The Appalachian Trail is one of the national treasures that calls Tennessee its home, and this weekend thousands are expected to venture onto the trail to explore all it has to offer. One of the most panoramic sections is on the Tennessee-North Carolina border in the Roan Highlands, and the Volunteer State has the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy to thank for that. S-A-H-C protected a key section of the trail by securing the land in a trust, and Angela Shepherd with the organization says there's one way you can help this weekend.

"You may be tempted to kind of go off the trail, especially if you're seeing large number of people there in front of you, and to kind of, you know, walk alongside, and that can cause issues like people creating inadvertently secondary trails that have some erosion issues."

Shepherd says the need to stay on the trail is necessary regardless of what part of the state you're exploring. Prior to S-A-H-C's involvement, the section of trail was largely located on roads. A report released earlier this month from the Outdoor Industry Association estimates outdoor recreation generates 56-billion dollars for the East South Central economy, and more than seven-billion dollars in the form of state, local and federal tax revenues.

S-A-H-C, in partnership with the U-S Forest Service and Appalachian Trail Conservancy, employs a naturalist who hikes the section of the trail in Roan Highlands. His job is to leave a lasting impact on visitors, according to Shepherd.

"The person in this position spends the weekend hiking back and forth across that stretch of the AT, and they just educate people they meet about 'leave no trace' principles. They talk about the basic ecology of the Roan, what makes it so unique."

The Outdoor Industry Association Report names outdoor recreation as one of the country's largest economic sectors, behind only health care and finance. Shepherd says east Tennessee possesses a large part of that resource.

"We are just blessed with a plethora, really, of natural resources here in this region, and getting outside to enjoy those is just so important, and it's great for families to reconnect, it's great for our own personal health, but keeping in mind that we're kind of part of a bigger sphere."

In addition to staying on the trail. be sure to pack out all trash generated on your hike and avoid picking plants or flowers.

The Appalachian Trail is one of the national treasures that calls Tennessee its home, and this weekend thousands are expected to venture onto the trail to explore all it has to offer. Stephanie Carson has more.

Stephanie Carson reporting.

Shepherd at 828.253.0095. Link to report: https://bit.ly/2p0OtnT




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