Appalachian Trail could be ‘canary in coal mine’ for eastern U.S.

It stretches nearly 2,200 miles, a ribbon of mountains and meadows, forests and fauna. But scientists, hikers and land managers say the Appalachian Trail is more than a footpath. Passing through 14 states and eight national forests from Georgia to Maine — including a 90-mile stretch through Massachusetts — it’s also a living laboratory that could help warn 120 million people along the Eastern Seaboard of looming environmental problems. That’s why a diverse group of organizations has launched a project to begin long-term monitoring of the environmental health of the trail, with plans to tap into an army of volunteer “citizen scientists” and their professional counterparts.

News notes are courtesy of Southern Forests Network News Notes
www.southernsustainableforests.org