Our Mission: The Virginia Creeper Trail Conservancy (VCTC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to the maintenance and preservation of the Creeper Trail corridor. The VCTC partners with other trail stakeholders to support a safe and enjoyable experience for all trail users.
Proceeds from memberships, donations, and merchandise sales are used to support this mission.
We are the Virginia Creeper Trail Conservancy.
Two years after the trail officially opened in 1987, the Virginia Creeper Trail Club was formed as a volunteer organization to help maintain the trail and to supplement the efforts of the local towns and small communities’ staffs and budgets.
In May 1997, the Club was granted nonprofit status and formally organized as a 501(c)(3). Today, the Conservancy’s governance is controlled by the Board of Directors. The elected leadership positions include President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary and immediate Past President, along with eight Directors appointed by the President.
Over the last 28 years, our mission has evolved to include more complex maintenance and repair projects, often times working directly with our trail partners from the towns of Damascus and Abingdon and the US Forest Service (USFS) – and in most cases, we provide the necessary materials to complete these projects. In the past, we have also worked with families and friends to erect memorial benches along the trail and currently we coordinate memorial tree plantings.
Annually, we organize a Trail Clean Up Day that is well-supported by Conservancy members and the general public. Members clean the interpretive signage along the trail each year as well. Educating the general public about the history of the Creeper Trail and its unique geophysical and biological features through our speakers, on hikes and walks, at the Welcome Center and at our monthly meetings is an effort we believe helps to ensure the preservation of the trail for many generations to come. We also take an active role in enhancing the safety of the trail, coordinating with Johnston Memorial Hospital to procure the donation of two defibrillators for locations on the trail.
The Virginia Creeper Trail Conservancy also holds a voting seat on the Trail Advisory Board. The Trail Advisory Board (TAB) includes stakeholders from the towns of Damascus and Abingdon, Washington County, adjacent private property owners, the USFS and the Conservancy. The Advisory Board oversees significant trail decisions, works to resolve disputes and address concerns, reacts and responds to proposals, and works to keep the best interest of the trail in the forefront.
We welcome your suggestions and love to hear of your experiences and share your photos…and, as always, we’re here to answer your questions, too.
We are located in the heart of Trail Town, USA — Damascus, Virginia!
The Conservancy’s physical address is:
132 W. Laurel Avenue
Damascus, VA 24236
Creeper Trail merchandise may be purchased online or in the red caboose in Damascus Town Park (all proceeds directly support the Trail!!)
The Conservancy’s mailing address is:
P.O. Box 55
Damascus, VA 24236
All of our efforts are financially supported by you, the trail user, through your volunteerism, your memberships, merchandise purchases and donations, and we thank you.