Press release:
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards (SAWS) [a project of The Wilderness Society], and the United States Forest Service opened the application period today for the Wilderness Skills Institute (WSI), a training program for Wilderness stewardship and management. In its fourth year, WSI is scheduled for May 19 – 30, 2014 at the Cradle of Forestry near Brevard, North Carolina.
The Institute is designed to provide practical information about designated Wilderness, the skills necessary to work effectively in Wilderness, including certifications such as Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace, and crosscut saw. The Wilderness Skills Institute is a proven resource for trail volunteers, agency employees, and non-profit staff.
The program each week features three levels of training for a variety of participants and levels of experience. Course work includes tool care, building trail structures, rigging to stabilize and move heavy objects, and a trail maintenance course that emphasizes hands on instruction on the theory and skills to maintain and repair wilderness trails. A course will also be offered for Wilderness rangers focusing on history, policy, law, field safety, Leave No Trace, and recreation use monitoring among other topics. All tracks come together for discussions of Wilderness theory and legislation with some of the nation’s most experienced stewards.
Application and registration is free and camping is provided.
Training Course: Wilderness Skills Institute 2014 Dates: May 19 to May 30, 2014
Location: Cradle of Forestry in Brevard, North Carolina
Tuition: An application is required, and registration is free once accepted into the program.
To apply or for more information visit www.trailcrews.org/wilderness-skills-institute.For more information about this training course, contact Leanna Joyner or Bill Hodge.
About the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy mission is to preserve and manage the Appalachian Trail – ensuring that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for centuries to come. For more information please visit HYPERLINK “http://www.appalachiantrail.org” www.appalachiantrail.org.Contact: Leanna Joyner
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Tel: (828) 254-3708
Fax: (828) 254-3754
Email: ljoyner@appalachiantrail.org
Web: www.appalachiantrail.orgAbout the Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards
Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards is a project of The Wilderness Society dedicated to providing stewardship to areas designated and managed as Wilderness on our glorious public lands. For more information visit www.trailcrews.org.
Contact: Bill Hodge
Program Director, Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards
The Wilderness Society Southern Appalachians Office
Tel: (828) 587-9453
Fax: (828) 254-3708
Email: billhodge@trailcrews.org
Web: www.trailcrews.org
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