Public invited to Palmetto Trail meeting on Jan. 27

FROM STAFF REPORTS

COLUMBIA - An informational meeting about a proposed new hiking trail in Richland and Sumter counties, to extend and connect the cross-state Palmetto Trail, will be hosted by the Palmetto Conservation Foundation from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, at the Palmetto Conservation Foundation Headquarters, 722 King St., Columbia.

The public is invited to attend the meeting. All attending are asked to wear masks and are encouraged to dress for the weather as the meeting will be held outdoors. Virtual attendance will be available on Facebook Live @PalmettoTrail.

According to the Foundation, the proposed Cook's Mountain Passage of the Palmetto Trail will be a multiphased trail that will eventually connect the Fort Jackson Passage to the Wateree Passage.

Palmetto Trail is a free, public resource for active, nonmotorized recreation. From Walhalla in the Blue Ridge Mountains to Awendaw on the Intercoastal Waterway, the Palmetto Trail winds from mountains to sea through 14 counties - Oconee, Pickens, Greenville, Spartanburg, Union, Laurens, Newberry, Fairfield, Richland, Sumter, Clarendon, Orangeburg, Berkeley and Charleston. The trail inspires active, healthy living and showcases the state's diverse natural beauty, fascinating history and rich cultural heritage.

Visit www.palmettoconservation.org for information and downloadable maps of the trail's 30 passages.

About Palmetto Conservation

The mission of Palmetto Conservation Foundation is to foster an appreciation for South Carolina's natural and cultural resources, providing opportunities for active recreation on the Palmetto Trail and other trail systems that can be enjoyed by all in South Carolina, regardless of gender, race, creed, age or ability. Founded in 1989, PCF is a statewide nonprofit organization with the main office headquartered in Columbia. PCF's largest and best-known project is building and maintaining the mountains-to-sea Palmetto Trail. In 2016, PCF inaugurated the Palmetto Conservation Corps to help interested young adults in S.C. learn skills in trail maintenance and construction, assist with disaster recovery and develop the next generation of conservation stewards and leaders. The Palmetto Conservation Corps is South Carolina's only trail-based AmeriCorps service program.

To learn more, visit www.palmettoconservation.org, or call (803) 771-0870.