The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2018 Georgia Appalachian Trail (A.T.) License Plate Grants. This grant program is funded by the thousands of Georgia drivers who purchase or renew their A.T. specialty license plates. Since 2013, Georgia A.T. specialty tags have generated over $230,000.
For 2018, the grant program awarded $41,079.93 to fund projects that will help to preserve and protect the A.T. in Georgia. Grant recipients and a brief description of the projects are listed below.
Georgia Appalachian Trail Club:
- Support for GATC’s volunteer Trail Ambassador program
- Outreach to bring youth from Atlanta and north Georgia to hike on the A.T. or visit the Hike Inn for outdoor learning experiences
- Wilderness First Aid training for club volunteers
- Support for Ridgerunners along the Trail in Georgia
- New trail maintenance tools.
Appalachian Trail Conservancy:
- Set up a structure and support system for Spanish speaking families and groups from the Atlanta area to help them feel welcome on the A.T.
- Pilot a NextGen Forest Ambassador program for GA youth to foster their understanding of and appreciation for public lands in their communities, including the Appalachian Trail.
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest:
- Increase monitoring and education on the A.T. in GA through the hiring of a seasonal backcountry ranger dedicated to the A.T.
- Purchase tools for trail rehabilitation work on the A.T. and trails in north Georgia
Len Foote Hike Inn: Support for a 2019 youth service learning trip to stay at the Hike Inn, perform trail work on the A.T. Approach Trail, and learn from GATC members.
Tom Banks and Tara Roberts: Produce educational videos that can be used to compliment ongoing Visitor Use Management efforts on the A.T. in Georgia.
Thanks to the purchasers of these license plates, this variety of efforts by multiple organizations can enhance the hiker experience and protection of the A.T. in Georgia.