By Jordan A. Bowman
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
November 19, 2020
One of my favorite local walks is a four-mile loop that travels through a hardwood forest, over rolling hills with occasional views of cornfields and pastures, and ends near a silty, meandering river. Walking this path, particularly in 2020, is a relative oasis from a world of uncertainty.
However, it is also a constant reminder of how rare protected natural places are. At the edge of the cornfields, you can see the concrete roof of a strip mall. The nighttime glow from city lights dims the stars during evening strolls. Less than a mile away is a major highway, and the rumble of traffic is a constant backdrop during my walks.