The Old Dominion Appalachian Trail Club
The Old Dominion Appalachian Trail Club (ODATC) is an organization of individuals and trail-related organizations who meet to recreate in the outdoors in various ways as well as act as stewards of a portion of the Appalachian Trail and the public lands it runs through. Our recreational endeavors focus on hiking in Virginia but includes biking, paddling and touring as well. While the majority of our events occur in Virginia our only true limits are what members wish to limit themselves to.
ODATC NEEDS YOU! See Board of Directors article below.
Upcoming events
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THE ODATC EXPERIENCE - CURRENT ISSUES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Help Wanted: ODATC Section Maintainers and Section Maintainer Floaters ODATC Section Maintainers are an elite group of individuals who have adopted a section of the AT or blue blaze trail between Rockfish Gap and Reeds Gap. Being a section maintainer is an important and satisfying way of contributing personal time and effort in helping maintain and protect our wonderful trail resources for the enjoyment of current and future generations. ODATC is looking for volunteers to help fill section maintainer vacancies or to be a section maintainer floater. A floater would not have an assigned section but would be willing to go up and help the section maintainers. Floaters would be added to the section maintainer email list to be made aware of maintenance opportunities. If interested in any of these positions, please contact Lori Ando at lla040322@gmail.com. |
Your Help Needed Today on Mountain Valley Pipeline Proposal The Mountain Valley Pipeline proposal is one of the greatest threats the A.T. has faced in decades. On Friday, June 23, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will hit another milestone in the application process, as it will announce whether or not it approves of the current pipeline route and construction methods. Over the next week and a half, it is important that Virginia's A.T. clubs and supporting groups register their deep concerns about a proposal that, if approved, would cut down thousands of acres of forest, carving a corridor the width of a 12-lane highway that will be viewable from the A.T. for over 70 miles. For your club's consideration, I have attached a template letter which can be modified: a commentary recently published in the Roanoke Times that provides good background information about the project and commentary from ATC's Virginia Regional Director Andrew Downs. Feel free to share these materials and encourage other groups to submit their own letters — even a short paragraph or two would be helpful. All letters should be sent directly to FERC Secretary Kimberly Bose at kimberly.bose@FERC.gov. In addition, please forward copies of your letters to Lynn Davis (ldavis@appalachiantrail.org) and Andrew Downs (adowns@appalachiantrail.org), as we will then send copies to Virginia's congressional members and other influential decision makers. Your support for the A.T. and its surrounding communities will help add to the growing voice against this misguided pipeline project and in support of America’s wild spaces and thoughtful energy infrastructure development.
Ron Tipton |
Call for candidates for 2017 Board of Directors It’s time to give some consideration to getting involved with the ODATC Board of Directors! Becoming a Board member is a great way to learn about the inner workings of the club as well as the ATC and gives individuals the opportunity to grow the club in directions they feel would improve it. Board positions have a term of two years and about half the board is up for election each year. Current Board members work with new members to ensure a smooth transition of duties and mentor new members until they are ready and able to manage on their own. The ODATC Board positions that are open for the November 2017 election and their major responsibilities are: President (coordinates board and member meetings and interfaces with ATC) Vice President (manages the budget process and volunteer service awards program) Programs (manages the club’s speaker program) Activities (manages the club’s hiking program) Secretary (develops minutes for the 6 Board meetings) If you are interested in joining the ODATC Board please contact one of these Board members: |
