APSU students join Appalachian Trail Club to relocate trails

Students and staff from Austin Peay State University spent their spring break in northern Georgia. working on the Appalachian Trail.

Although many students spend their spring break on vacation, nine students and two staff members from APSU traded their swimsuits for hardhats and chain saws. The group worked along side the Appalachian Trail Club to relocate a section of the trail that crossed the Justus Creek and was causing problems with erosion and pollution. This new section of the trail will open to the public in May 2009.

They worked with park rangers to introduce a new species of beetle that will help save the disappearing hemlock trees in the region. Additionally, the team completed an eight-mile hike to inspect shelters and performed other trail maintenance along the beginning of the trail at Springer Mountain.

The group left for Georgia on March 9 and returned March 14.

For more information, contact Alexandra Howard, assistant director for service and student engagement, (931) 221-7837.