On November 1-3, 2013, IAT/IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol attended the 8th Northeast Alpine Stewardship Gathering at the Sargent Center in Hancock, New Hampshire. There he learned of the latest developments in northeast North America alpine ecology and conservation and gave a presentation on the International Appalachian Trail and Global Geoparks.  The event was hosted by the MERE Project of the Environmental Studies Department, Antioch University New England, with the support of the Waterman Fund. It began with dinner and welcome by university president Stephen Jones and a keynote address by Beyond Ktaadn’s Mike Jones and Liz Willey, authors of the new and highly-regarded Eastern Alpine Guide, a natural history and conservation vision for the eastern mountain ranges from New York state to Labrador.  

(L-R) Mike Jones, Liz Willey and Paul Wylezol at Northeast Alpine Stewardship Conference

It was followed by a full day of presentations on mountain ecology and conservation, including from the Monadnock Ecological & Education Research (MERE) Project, Appalachian Mountain Club, Université de Moncton, State University of New York, New York Natural Heritage Program, New Hampshire State Parks, IUCN/World Commission on Protected Areas, Université du Québec à Montréal, and Rubenstein School of Environment & Natural Resources, University of Vermont.  There was also a mid-day session devoted to alpine writers and the Waterman Fund Alpine Essay Contest, hosted by Christine Woodside, Editor-in-Chief of the AMC’s Appalachia Journal.