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The Thread - December 2023
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From the Desk - Update from Rue
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Partnerships - Sweet Trails Alabama
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Store - Get your APTC swag
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Backcountry Foodie - New Blog Post
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Membership - Support the conference
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Wilderness Mindset - APT Documentary
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We are a forward looking community. In this time of great celebration I acknowledge the fruits of our collective energy and purpose. We can define 2023 as the year that The American Perimeter Trail publicly was displayed to the world. This is a brief synopsis of how we achieved this. With the support of our membership we were able to update our website in order to host our interactive map. Suzanne Binelli communitcated regularly with our web designers to ensure we had up to date information and user experience compatiblity. Our Geography Department, led by Tim McGrath, began compiling information that was obtained through observations during the first APT thru- hike. Thousands of data points were organized and coded in order to create the interactive map. Immediately, recreationalists from all over began using our map and descriptions as a guide to their personal adventures. These were victories but we did not rest on our laurels. We decided that in order to be on the cutting edge we must provide the greater outdoor community access through a free app. We collaborated with our favorite hiking app, HiiKER, to create the 15,000 mile digital route. The idea is to create farther reaching advocacy by encouraging more advocates. From our inception we have followed a simple popular maxim, "If we build it they will come."
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This is excellent progress that everyone of you have contributed to making a reality. However, as I stated previously, we are a forward looking community. In fact, it is what defines our communal spirit as compared to tedious maintenance of the present circumstances. Our ever growing shared responsibility to the future requires innovation, development, and responsible stewardship. With 2024 in sight, we breathe our inspiration into others to foster our vision. This is a critical year for the prosperity of our movement. In 2024 we will gather the resources, abilities, and momentum needed for such a monumental task. We dare to take on what has never been achieved before in history. There will be many ways to engage this upcoming year, including relieving our interim Board of Directors, trail building and maintenance, and advocacy for the lands we love. I surely hope that you will continue to join us. We are The APT and you already know what I am going to say next……..
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Let's Build iT! is Our Battle Cry!
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CT APT
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We are continuing our East to West journey across CT. Be sure to check out the updated gallery of photos and notes as well as updates on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
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It is with great pleasure to acknowledge our own Suzanne Binelli as Volunteer of the Year. Suzanne first came onto the APT radar when we were still the aspiring American Perimeter Trail Project. It was during our monthly on-line happy hours that Suzanne first made contact with us. Those were memorable times when anyone interested could join the forum to socialize and speak about all things APT. These sessions sometimes went over four hours yet there was Suzanne quietly listening. Over time Suzanne, the always intrepid adventurer and advocate, approached us about playing a larger role. We were more than delighted at her gesture even though at the time we never suspected she would take on so many important roles.
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Suzanne is developing the APT in the state of Connecticut. She manages social media, our on-line store, and is our membership coordinator. Basically Suzanne is the jack of many trades. Thank you Suzanne for all the precious time you have so freely given! To learn more about Suzanne's journey read her bio on The APT's website.
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Congratulations to Buck and Jenny Hough as our Builder's of the Year. The Hough's first contacted the then APTProject when Rue was thru-hiking the APT. He had just been through a long stretch of complete isolation in the eastern wilderness. Call went out to the North Country Trail Community to help Rue along as he traveled through the upper midwest. He ended up staying with them in Southern Michigan and The Upper Peninsula. The combination of shared experience with Buck and Jenny's home cooked meals breathed life back into his purpose. It was chicken soup for the soul for the wayfaring traveler's journey.
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Over the following years the Houghs would provide support to distance hikers passing through. During this time Buck began construction on what was to become The APT's first shelter. We at The APTC were pleasantly shocked at one of our members' ambitions. Buck named the shelter "Bin-Walkin" in tribute to the salvaged corn bin from which it was built. It is so amazing that we cannot describe it here but will leave a link below for you to view it yourself.
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But that is not the end of the story. As if creating the first APT Shelter was not enough, Buck began advocating for the relocation of The North Country National Scenic Trail on to The American Perimeter Trail. Moving a National Scenic Trail is not a matter that should be taken lightly. However, Buck exemplifies the spirit of our community by not listening to naysayers. In November of 2022 Buck presented his case for relocation of The NCT. This would not only provide more proximity to services for the hiker but rerouted the trail to Bin-Walkin. The NCT agreed with Buck and officially moved onto the APT. If this is not proof of "If we build it they will come" then we don't know what is. We salute your efforts to broaden our understanding of community engagement and for all of your sweat equity!
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To learn more about "Bin-Walkin" and see photos, please visit the Bin-Walkin Facebook
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Partnerships
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APT's commitment to our partners to create & build trails around the country
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The APTC is providing digital assets and consultation with Sweet Trails Alabama that connects Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida via The APT.
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"SWEET TRAILS ALABAMA IS A UNIQUE COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVE THAT WILL IDENTIFY LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND STATEWIDE TRAIL PROJECTS. THIS STATEWIDE TRAIL ROUTE PLAN WILL IDENTIFY POSSIBLE ROUTES, TRAIL COMMUNITIES, OUTDOOR RECREATION ECONOMY SITES, AND HIGHLIGHT HOW THE SWEET TRAILS ALABAMA PROJECT CAN CREATE NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN HEALTH AND WELLNESS, TOURISM, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ENTREPRENEURIAL GROWTH, QUALITY OF LIFE, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION."
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We are excited that there are now 11 segments of the APT available on Hiiker!!
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click here for the segment links
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Have you explored the interactive map?
Read more about the how and who behind the APT map.
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Visit our store
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Consider supporting the APT by adding a membership to your cart as you browse through new items...
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Spread the word about the APT with a shirt, hat or sticker..all proceeds from merch goes to building the trail.
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Partner Spotlight
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Backcountry Foodie recipes kept Rue nourished for over 10,000 miles. Not only can you access 100+ nutritious recipes, BF also offers meal planning, coaching, masterclasses and resupply! Head over to their website to see which membership level will work for you!
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How to Eat for Backpacking in Extreme Conditions
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Join Us...
Membership is about community and the APT is being built by YOU..our amazing community of Builders! It is through your support that we keep moving forward in making the APT the longest recreational trail and community conservation effort.. please continue to spread the word, invite your friends to join or gift a membership to someone who loves the outdoors. Thank you!!
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Consider supporting the APT through a Giving Account with Fidelity Charitable
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The APT Documentary
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Alex and Amy from Wilderness Mindset met up with Rue on his way back to Bend OR as he closed the loop on 3 years of hiking around the US.
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Check out their website for videos from their hike with Rue as well as a link to contribute to the making of the documentary.
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Conservation
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Conservation is the heart of the APT. Visit our conservation pages to find out more.
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Are you following our Events Calendar?
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Subscribe to the calendar to stay up to date on the latest APT, conservation and activism opportunities.
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Contribute to the Newsletter
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We would love to share your trail stories, photos or recipes. If you would like to contribute to our newsletter, email us at Info@amerianperimtertrail.org
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The APT goes social...
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