Green Ridge State Forest Becomes Part Of The Great Eastern Trail

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Flintstone, MD – The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service is pleased to announce that Green Ridge State Forest has become part of the Great Eastern Trail (GET).

“Hopefully, trails like those found at Green Ridge State Forest and along the GET will help produce a growing corps of environmental stewards and outdoor recreationists who will continue to enthusiastically support forest conservation,” said Francis Zumbrun, Green Ridge State Forest Manager.

The 43-mile circuit trail loop at Green Ridge State Forest to join the GET takes hikers past ancient geologic features and waterfalls while experiencing spectacular views from ridge tops. Along the trail, hikers will also experience a rich diversity of trees, wildflowers, and wildlife.

“In a number of ways, the GET fulfills the original vision held by forester, regional planner, and the founding father of the Appalachian Trail - Benton MacKaye. While the Appalachian Trail arguably remains the crown jewel of U.S. hiking trails, the GET offers new and exciting opportunities for hikers,” said Jeffrey Hunter, Trails Program Director with the Silver Spring, Maryland based American Hiking Society.

American Hiking Society has coordinated the effort to make the GET a reality. The GET trail will connect the Finger Lakes Trail in New York to the southern terminus of the Pinhoti Trail in Alabama. Planners are also exploring ways to connect the Alabama Pinhoti Trail to the Florida Trail. Once completed, the GET will enable hikers to travel continuously from New York to the Florida Keys via 1,800 miles of natural trails. The GET will link hikers to more than 10,000 miles of trails along its route from New York to Florida.

For more information about the Great Eastern Trail visit www.greateasterntrail.org. For more information about Green Ridge State Forest visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/greenridge.asp

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December 11, 2007

Contact: Olivia Campbell 410-260-8016 office I 410-507-7525 cell ocampbell@dnr.state.md.us

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov