AMC New York-North Jersey Chapter

Conservation :: Wild Highlands - A Legacy of Critical Treasures

Copyright © 1996 - 2008 Appalachian Mountain Club, Boston, MA.
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Chapter Youth Program Re-Launches

The New York-North Jersey Chapter is gearing up to re-launch its chapter youth program, AMC Outings for Urban Kids (AOK), which will link urban youth groups with AMC leaders interested in sharing the wonder and adventure of the outdoors. The program will be targeted to children and teens who may not have had any previous opportunities to explore the natural environment.

If you are interested in becoming a youth activity leader, please contact Richard Barcia at 212-303-8889 (w), (212) 832-0232 (h) or for further information. Please note that all leaders must undergo a background check as well as training, which will be provided by the AMC.

We are also presently looking for at least two chapter youth program coordinators to help supervise the program and serve as liaisons to participating agencies.

We hope that you will consider becoming part of this exciting and rewarding endeavor.

SAVE THE WILD HIGHLANDS! YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!

What do South Mountain in Pennsylvania, the Pequannock Watershed in New Jersey, Sterling Forest in New York, and Canaan Mountain in Connecticut all have in common? They are all "Critical Treasures" of the Highlands. The Highlands Coalition, of which AMC is an active member, has identified over 60 of these special places in need of protection throughout the four-state Highlands region. In New York and New Jersey alone, 22 Critical Treasure areas encompassing nearly 180,000 acres have been identified. The Coalition estimates that approximate $750 million in funds are needed to protect these areas through land acquisition or purchase of development rights.

Many of these areas are favorite hiking and recreational destinations for AMC members. To view maps and lists of the Critical Treasures, visit www.highlandscoalition.org and follow the "More Info" link. AMC is working with the Coalition to highlight these special places in need of protection throughout the Highlands, and to secure federal funding to protect them in partnership with the States. We are also working with other organizations to protect these critical treasures from a variety of threats, such as proposed power plants in Torne Valley, NY and the proposed expansion of Route 15 through the heart of the NJ Highlands.

Your help is needed to save the wild Highlands! For more information, contact:

Tom Gilbert, AMC Central Appalachian Conservation Director -
Jill Hamell, Conservation Chair (Torne Valley) -
Bob Cherdack, Vice Chair for Conservation (Route 15) -