FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2009

Who: Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) in partnership with Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and National Park Service (NPS)

What: New England National Scenic Trail (NENST) Designation Celebration in Hadley, MA

When: Monday, July 13 at 9:00 a.m. (rain or shine)

Why: Ceremony to celebrate designation of the NENST, one of the first National Scenic Trails designated in 26 years, and to officially recognize the Congressional leadership and efforts of local partners in the designation. The AMC, DCR, and NPS will unveil a commemorative sign, with featured speakers:

• U.S. Congressman John W. Olver
• National Park Service Associate Regional Director Richard L. Harris
• Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Richard K. Sullivan Jr.
• Appalachian Mountain Club Executive Director Andrew J. Falender
  

The 2009 Omnibus Public Lands Act included designation of much of the Metacomet-Monadnock-Mattabesett (MMM) Trail system in Massachusetts and Connecticut as the NENST. The route is approximately 220 miles long.

Refreshments will follow, with the opportunity to join AMC for a two-mile hike on part of the NENST proposed route.

To RSVP and for more information, photo, and interview requests: Contact Laura Hurley, Appalachian Mountain Club Public Relations Assoc. Dir., at 617-391-6621 or lhurley@outdoors.org.

Where: Ceremony to take place from 9:00 – 10:15 a.m. at DCR’s Joseph A. Skinner State Park Summit House, located on Mountain Rd. off of Rt. 47 in Hadley, MA.

For directions, visit www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/skinner

Limited parking is available near the Summit, with overflow parking at the Halfway House (1/4 mile from the Summit) or at the Main Gate area (1.5 miles from the Summit). Carpooling is recommended.

For additional information about the NENST, visit www.newenglandnst.org.

About Appalachian Mountain Club:
Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club is America’s oldest conservation and recreation organization. With more than 100,000 members, advocates, and supporters in the Northeast and beyond, the nonprofit AMC promotes the protection, enjoyment, and stewardship of the mountains, forests, waters, and trails of the Appalachian region. The AMC supports natural resource conservation while encouraging responsible recreation, based on the philosophy that successful, long-term conservation depends upon first-hand enjoyment of the natural environment. To learn more about AMC’s trail stewardship program, visit www.outdoors.org/trails.

About Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation:
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), an agency of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, oversees 450,000 acres of parks and forests, beaches, bike trails, watersheds, and dams, in addition to 278 bridges and miles of roadways. Led by Commissioner Richard K. Sullivan Jr., the agency’s mission is to protect, promote, and enhance our common wealth of natural, cultural, and recreational resources. To learn more about DCR, its facilities, and its programs, please visit www.mass.gov/dcr. Contact DCR at mass.parks@state.ma.us.

About National Park Service:
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.