Agency - Appalachian Trail Volunteers

The National Park Service mission is to preserve and protect the natural and cultural resources of national park units.

Description:
The U.S. government and its volunteers maintain national parks through the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. The negative impacts of invasive nonnative plant species are managed at several park units by the work of the Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team. They serve national parks in VA, WV, MD, and PA. Their headquarters is in Luray, VA.

The NPS is better able to perform its mission to preserve and protect natural and cultural resources through the help of volunteers.

History:
The NPS was founded by U.S. Congress in 1916 when they passed the NPS Organic Act. There are nearly 400 park units in the System. Many park units are historical battlefields. Some are historic sites such as birth places. Some are natural scenic grounds that were set aside to preserve places in spite of fast human population growth.

Contact person: James Akerson, Volunteer Coordinator, (540) 421-4577, (email)

Address:

1000 Fiery Run Road Linden, VA 22642 (See a map)

Directions:

Lower meadow within Appalachian Trail property   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Vienna,   Walk distance (in minutes): 60