Leave No Trace Spotlight: Virginia Creeper Trail

Leave No Trace’s new Spotlight program is a multi-day event to bring attention to community conservation, spread education, and to build momentum and inspire involvement for the future.

The Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Team will be at the Virginia Creeper Trail Community Spotlight April 12-15, collaborating with hosts and partners on a variety of programs including stewardship projects, workshops, and community outreach.

Opportunities to Get Involved:

Wednesday, April 12: Coffee Hour and Leave No Trace Workshop, 8:30 am – 12:00 pm

Coffee hour will be from 8:30 – 9:30 am and the workshop will be from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm at the Damascus Trail Center, 209 West Laurel Ave. Damascus, VA 24236. Email [email protected] to RSVP for the workshop.

Friday, April 14: Happy Hour, 5:30 – 7:00 pm at Appalachian Heritage Distillery, 110 West Laurel Ave. Damascus, VA 24236.

Saturday, April 15: 

VCT Trailwide Cleanup, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Come join the Virginia Creeper Trail Conservancy annual Trailwide Cleanup starting at 8:00 am. Volunteers will help with trash pickup, campsite cleanup, and other projects along the VCT. Supply pick-ups will be at the Caboose in Damascus Town Park, Alvarado Station, and the Abingdon trailhead. For more information on priority locations on the trail, supply pick-up, etc., please visit VACreeperTrail.org. The Mount Rogers Appalachian Trail Club (MRATC) will head east on the Virginia Creeper Trail to perform campsite cleanups near the Straight Branch and Creek Junction trailheads. To participate please contact MRATC at [email protected].

Leave No Trace Pop-Up, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Stop by the Damascus Trail Center to ask questions, join informative talks, win prizes, and learn more about Leave No Trace at 209 West Laurel Ave. Damascus, VA 24236.

2:00 p.m.: Behind the Scenes of Food on the Trail – Have you ever wondered how hikers store and pack their food? Come learn about food storage on the trail!

4:00 p.m.: Responsible Campfires – Learn Leave No Trace campfire tips on how to improve safety and minimize harm to ecosystems. Enjoy s’mores while learning about campfire best practices!