N.C. Appalachian Trail License Plate Grant Program

Since 2006, ATC’s Southern Regional Office has awarded $49,401 in A.T. License Plate Grants. In November 2008 the grant guidelines and application will be posted for the 2009 grant cycle.

Design by Nate Wygonik

Projects funded by the NCATLP Grant Program

2006
Nantahala Hiking Club: Workshop for elementary school teachers to learn how to use the Trail as an interdisciplinary learning tool

Tennessee Eastman Hiking Club: Refurbish sleeping platform at Overmountain Shelter, North Carolina

2007
Carolina Mountain Club: Installation of 11 food storage systems (bear cables) at ten existing shelter sites maintained by the club

Carolina Mountain Club: Purchase of new tools for Trail maintenance

Mountains-to-Sea Ecological, Inc.: Natural-heritage project to increase the protection of rare plants along the A.T.

Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition: “Ancient Forests of the Appalachian Trail” project, an old growth mapping project

Tennessee Eastman Hiking Club: Refurbish chainsaws and the purchase of additional ones for Trail maintenance in N.C.

2008
Carolina Mountain Club: Purchase of new tools for Trail maintenance and the establishment of a new weekend trail crew.

Equinox Environmental Consultation and Design, Inc.: Work with citizen scientists to conduct exotic invasive plant surveys in Hot Springs, N.C., and use findings to develop educational materials for the community to use to better identify and control invasive exotic plants.

Hot Springs Elementary School: Introduce a new class to the A.T., to support the students’ work as trail maintainers, and for a Trail adoption celebration, including a hike and picnic on Max Patch.

James Donaldson, Botanist: Partnership of agencies, organizations and individuals testing goat grazing as an experimental management tool to restore grassy bald corridors on the Roan Massif.

Mountains to Sea Ecological, Inc.: Perform assessment of volunteer rare plant monitoring program in N.C. based on findings from 2007 rare plant investigations and associated updates to monitoring protocol.

Smoky Mountains Hiking Club: Purchase of tools and equipment for use on the A.T. in N.C.

Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy: Enhance and maintain the viewshed and unique habitat along the A.T. in the Roan Highlands through expansion of grassy balds management outreach and volunteer development program.

Summit Charter School: Develop a replica of the Appalachian Trail on school property to enhance the implementation of place-based education in school curriculum, and for use by students, parents and members of the Cashiers community.  

Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club: Purchase of durable, self-propelled string trimmer for use around open areas in N.C.

Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club: Provide food to volunteers participating in two-day volunteer Hard Core crew, working in N.C. to rehabilitate and relocate the Trail.

For more information on these projects, call 828-254-3708.