Overmountain Victory Trail Association (OVTA)
OUTREACH
- Programs — OVTA drew over 15,000 attendees during its Annual March to Kings Mountain; OVTA is working with NPS to provide year-round interpretive programming along the 330-mile stretch of trail.
- Trail Communities — A new Gateway Communities program was introduced across the trail corridor.
- Communication — OVVI purchased the rights to a cell phone app to assist with nonpersonal interpretation along the trail corridor; developed a partnership with the Clemson University Open Parks Network to make publicly accessible the military records accounts from veterans of the American Revolution in the area.
PROTECTION
- Master Plan — OVTA is working with NPS and other local corridor communities to complete master plans for developing and expanding on-the-ground sections of trail.
- Signage — OVVI purchased interpretive signs, panels, and kiosks for three historic locations, and purchased a monument marker for the muster ground in Elkin, NC to match the marker in Abingdon, VA.
- Trail Segments — OVVI formed partnerships for stream restoration and relocation along the OVVI corridor to secure further easements for trail construction; secured a new segment at Cane Creek that will result in nearly two miles of trail used during the annual march.
- Conservation Corps — OVVI’s first Youth Conservation Corps program cleared and constructed two miles of new trail near Gaffney, SC, and worked along trail segments at a State park, regional greenway, and vineyard.
CAPACITY
- Grant — OVVI received a PNTS grant to hire its first intern, who will help with the cell phone app, annual conference, and marketing plan for the 50th Anniversary of the NTS as it relates to the OVVI.
- Training — OVVI started a Volunteers in Parks program to assist with trail maintenance and construction while teaching sustainable trail work methods; will host a nonprofit consultant to speak with the NPS and OVTA on techniques to help partners grow in capacity.
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