Harpers Ferry, West Virginia (April 20, 2009)—The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, headquartered in Harpers Ferry, W.Va., is the only trail-management organization awarded the Better Business Bureau Charity Seal, according to a list of 251 such groups appearing this month in USA Today.
The seal assures donors that an organization meets 20 rigorous standards centered on financial integrity, transparency, and active governance by boards of directors.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, with central offices in Harpers Ferry, W.Va., is an 84-year-old nonprofit organization responsible for conserving the natural resources, cultural legacy, and recreational experiences of the 250,000-acre greenway of public lands through which it has routed the legendary trail. It coordinates and supports the trail work of more than 6,000 volunteers in 30 local organizations and serves members in every state and 17 countries abroad.
ATC traces its roots to the vision of Benton MacKaye, a regional planner who convened an Appalachian Trail “conference” on March 2-4, 1925, in Washington, D.C. This initial gathering of hikers, foresters, and public officials laid the groundwork not only for the creation of what became the first national scenic trail in 1968, but also an organization of private citizens to build, manage, and protect it. Today, through the efforts of volunteers, clubs, and more than 60 public-agency partners, the A.T. extends more than 2,178 miles across 14 states from Maine to Georgia.
More information is available at www.appalachiantrail.org.
Contact: Amy McCormick, (304) 535-6331, ext. 123 |
