Come join staff from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) as they celebrate their 100 year anniversary of stewarding the internationally renowned Appalachian Trail. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s mission is to protect, manage, and advocate for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and  much occurs behind the scenes everyday to keep the A.T. properly managed, protected, and a world class hiking experience.  We will share  remarkable stories of vision, endurance, and success that will guide the A.T. into the future as we prepare for and adapt to new opportunities and challenges. Opportunities for supporters of the A.T. to become involved will also be shared as we Keep the Trail Alive. No registration required to attend in person. Register for the Zoom invitation here.

This program is co-sponsored by the Howe Library and the Hanover Conservancy. It is being held in conjunction with two other events: a walk on A.T.-adjacent land held by the Hanover Conservancy, and after the evening talk an exhibit reception at Dartmouth's Rauner Library on the history of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the Appalachian Trail.

Hawk Metheny serves as the Vice President of Trail Management at the Appalachian trail Conservancy overseeing Regional and Trail Operations along the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) from Georgia to Maine where he provides strategic direction and prepares the A.T. for its second century.

Hawk is nationally recognized as an expert in long distance hiking trail management. He has been with the ATC as a staff member since 2010, and before that, he served several consecutive terms on the ATC’s Board of Directors and chaired the Stewardship Council. Prior to his roles at ATC,  Hawk worked on the A.T. as the backcountry management specialist with the Appalachian Mountain Club on the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire. He also worked with AMC as a field coordinator, backcountry caretaker, trail crew member, and worked five memorable winters as the caretaker at Carter Notch Hut.

Hawk has a B.S. in Environmental Science/Natural Resource Management from the University of Massachusetts and has more than 35 years experience in Wilderness, backcountry, and long-distance hiking trail management, visitor management, and Leave No Trace education. He is also a founder and former board member with the National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance.

Hawk thru-hiked the A.T. in 1993 (Hawk-Who-Walks GA—>ME) and has hiked many other sections of the A.T. since. He has thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, the John Muir Trail twice, and has section hiked the Long Trail in Vermont. He has also hiked and backpacked in the Sierra, the Rockies, the Alps, the Andes, and in Scotland.

When not working on the A.T. you can find him taking care of his family’s off grid properties in Vermont, or exploring the nearby rivers, mountains, and trails with his wife, daughter, and two enthusiastic Labrador Retrievers.