Southeast Conservation Initiative

SOUTHEAST CONSERVATION ISSUES INTRODUCTION

The flora and fauna found in the southeastern United States is some of the most diverse found in the temperate world. Southeast hiking trails provide great opportunities for hikers to encounter a wide variety of wildlife including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and bird life along with a dizzying array of plant life.

American Hiking Society's efforts in the southeast seek to protect trails and the natural areas that surround them. In 2007, along with our Alliance partners in the southeast, we saw a major victory when the effort to construct a nearly 30-mile road inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park was finally abandoned.

AMERICAN HIKING SOCIETY SOUTHEAST CONSERVATION ISSUES OF EMPHASIS

Rock Harvesting on the Cumberland Trail

The Cumberland Trail in Tennessee stretches from just north of Chattanooga to Cumberland Gap National Historic Park. The State of Tennessee owns much of the trail corridor, but individuals own mineral rights in some areas. American Hiking Society is working to stop rock harvesting wherever possible and is supporting a legislative solution that will require rock harvesters to reclaim the land after their operations are complete.

Proposed Interstate Highway 3

In 2005 a new interstate highway was proposed that would link Savannah, Georgia to Knoxville, Tennessee. Initial concept maps showed this highway cutting through the heart of the biologically rich Southern Appalachians having a detrimental impact on a number of hiking trails including the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. On January 23rd-2006 American Hiking Society joined the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy as a member of the Stop I-3 Coalition.

For More information about the proposed I-3, please visit the following organizations:

Appalachian Trail Conservancy Interstate 3 information
Georgia Appalachian Trail Club Interstate 3 information

Partners in Flight

Birds are an important aspect of the hiking experience. Songbird populations are threatened in the southeast by habitat loss. American Hiking Society is a proud member of Partners in Flight, a cooperative effort involving partnerships among federal, state and local governments, conservation groups, industry, philanthropic foundations, professional organizations, the academic community and individuals.

Visit Partners in Flight for more information.