The Beauty of the Appalachian Landscape
Public Domain.
By Anna Kate Armstrong
May 4, 2020
The Appalachian region is home to some of the nation’s most beautiful and breathtaking landscapes. From soaring, tree covered mountains to diverse rivers and streams, Appalachia continues to be an environmentally rich region. The Appalachian Mountains, the region’s most notable landmark, spans for 2,000 miles and extends from Canada to the southern United States. Not only have these vast mountains played a vital role in the history of the nation, but they have also contributed to a natural beauty and distinctive regional culture that has continued to this day. In addition, the region’s unparalleled biodiversity has created a home for many significant species, including black bears, bison, elk, and wolves.
Appalachia is home to magnificent landmarks. The region includes countless of awe-inspiring mountains, valleys, and rivers. Some of the area’s most notable features include the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the Catskills in New York, the Blue Ridge range spanning from Pennsylvania to Georgia, the Great Smoking Mountains in Tennessee, and the Cumberland, Shenandoah, and Tennessee valleys. Appalachia also includes the Clinch River, one of the nation’s most diverse rivers. Many species inhabit this river, including fresh water mussels and a variety of fish species.
These stunning views and diversified landscapes offer visitors and residents alike the opportunity to explore and reconnect with the earth’s beauty. While the area continues to showcase its beauty to all who visit, the areas has faced continued struggles with environmental damage and exploitation. Similar to other natural landscapes around the world, Appalachia has faced rapid destruction and has fallen victim to excessive coal mining, fracking, and pollution. While these issues have plagued the region for generations, the people of Appalachia continue to show love and respect for their home’s natural land. A small Appalachian town in East Tennessee, Sneedville, is a remarkable example of how residents have incorporated their love for the land into their daily lives. In talking with individuals who were born and raised in Sneedville, they reminiscence on the beautiful rural, untouched landscapes they grew up around. As young children, they would explore the hills and hollers with friends and family, as they took in the magnificent mountain views, waded through ice cool creeks, and strolled through green fields. Family activities were often outside. Relationships were built around the campfire as they sat, talked, and watched the sunset over the rolling hills.
Public Domain
The U.S. National Archives
The Appalachian region is filled with exquisite beauty and diversity, and the people’s love and pride for this amazing region has preserved that splendor. Appalachia is stunning in every aspect, from the beautiful flora and fauna to the welcoming, loving people that live there. In order for us all to enjoy the stunning scenery and environment of Appalachia for years to come, we must continue advocating and supporting conservation efforts within the region. Both outsiders and residents of the region have implemented a variety of conservation efforts to preserve the natural splendor of Appalachia. While no problem this extensive can be solved overnight, we can all make small contributions to create a big change.
If you want to learn more about how you can help the conservation initiatives in Appalachia, you can visit these websites for more information:
https://www.appalachiantrail.org/home/conservation
https://www.wilderness.org/wild-places/north-carolina/conservation-appalachian-trail
Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/place/Appalachian-Mountains
https://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/issues/hidden-waters-highlights-southern-appalachias-biodiversity/