The Appalachian Trail Conservancy Biennial Conference will meet in Western North Carolina in July. Over a thousand people will join in hikes, workshops and excursions. Registration opens April 15.

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is a great destination for cross country skiers—especially right now as the latest storm dumps more snow on the AT from North Carolina to New England. The AT only seems to be about summer. Backcountry ski enthusiasts—get out there!

The new superintendent for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail comes from Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, where she has been superintendent for the past four years.

America’s kids are suffering from “nature deficit disorder” and that includes national parks. As the National Park Service closes its first century, park proponents across the country are trying to get young people engaged in parks and their preservation. It’s a big challenge, but not all of the news is bad. One university town in North Carolina is showing how proximity to national parks invites newbies into involvement.