L.L. Bean to Be Honored at Appalachian Trail Conservancy's Leaders In Conservation Awards Gala

WASHINGTON, DC, May 04, 2013 (Press-News.org) L.L.Bean will receive the Corporate Leadership Award during the Appalachian Trail Conservancy's (ATC) fourth-annual Awards Gala in Washington, DC on May 15, 2013. L.L.Bean is one of the largest corporate contributors to the ATC and continues to support the grassroots efforts of thousands of local volunteers.

Since 1982, L.L.Bean has donated over a half a million dollars to support the ATC's Grants to Clubs program. This program, administered by the ATC, helps support Appalachian Trail (A.T.) maintaining clubs and their partners to complete necessary projects along the Trail. These projects include trail, shelter, and bridge construction, recruiting and training new volunteers, purchasing tools and safety gear, developing educational materials, and community outreach.

L.L.Bean's employee leaders and volunteers have also worked in partnership with the Maine Appalachian Trail Club, one of the ATC's 31 Trail maintaining clubs, to help maintained an 18.5 mile section of the A.T. in Maine for the past 33 years.

In addition to L.L.Bean, the ATC will also recognize Senator Susan Collins of Maine, Senator Mark Udall of Colorado, and Pamela Underhill, retired Superintendent of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, for their long history of protecting America's parks and landscapes. Awards will be presented by Jim Cantore, the Weather Channel's Meteorologist and Storm Tracker. All proceeds will benefit the ATC.

"Over the past few decades the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, along with countless agencies and partners, have worked hard to protect the Appalachian Trail. This would not be possible without the dedication and cooperation of such leaders as Senator Udall, Senator Collins, L.L.Bean, and Pam Underhill," stated Mark Wenger, Executive Director/CEO of the ATC.

The ATC was founded in 1925 by volunteers and federal officials working to build a continuous footpath along the Appalachian Mountains. The A.T. is a unit of the National Park System, ranging from Maine to Georgia, at approximately 2,185 miles in length. It is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world.

Event Overview:
Appalachian Trail Conservancy's Leaders in Conservation Awards Gala
Date: Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Time: 6:00pm Reception | 7:00pm Awards and Dinner
Tickets: $250 per person or table sponsorship opportunities available
Location: Roof Terrace
| 101 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC

This event is sponsored by the Bavarian Inn, ENO, Expedia Inc., Honeywell, L.L.Bean, Patton Boggs LLP, Summit Global Ventures, Toyota North America Inc., and Walmart.

For more information about this event visit http://www.appalachiantrail.org/gala2013. For sponsorship opportunities or to reserve your seat, contact Amy McCormick at 304-535-2200 ext.123 or by amccormick@appalachiantrail.org.

About L.L.Bean, Inc.
L.L.Bean, Inc. has been a trusted source for quality apparel, reliable outdoor equipment and expert advice for over 100 years. Given their rich outdoor heritage, the organization focuses on donating to national and local outdoor conservation and recreation organizations. Within the last ten years, L.L.Bean has given more than $14 million to local, state, regional and national conservation organizations. For more information visit http://www.llbean.com.

About the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy mission is to preserve and manage the Appalachian Trail - ensuring that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for centuries to come. For more information please visit http://www.appalachiantrail.org.