Lowell Smith

Lowell chairs the PATC Conservation Committee. The committee advises the PATC Council, its policy making body of which he is a member, regarding issues that could affect the natural integrity of the more than 1000 miles of trails maintained by the PATC in the mid-Atlantic region, including 240 miles of the Appalachian Trail in VA, WV, MD and PA. Natural trail integrity is broadly understood to include that of the extensive land corridors through which these trails pass. The committee frequently is tasked with implementing conservation policies adopted by the Council, and educating the 8600 strong PATC membership about current conservation issues. Before his retirement, Lowell managed major policy-relevant scientific research programs for the US Environmental Protection Agency, and still enjoys a wide range of out-of-doors activities ranging from high altitude mountaineering, trail building and maintenance, to sea and white water kayaking.