Friday, July 8, 2011

Vote Now For PA's Tom Gettings For LL Bean's 2011 Outdoor Hero Award

Ten finalist were chosen for LL Bean’s Outdoor Hero Award including Lehigh Valley resident Tom Gettings. Now its time to cast your vote for the winner. Vote for Pennsylvania's Tom Gettings, Wildlands Conservancy’s director of special projects, and help a Keystone State conservationist win!
Visit the LL Bean Heroes webpage to cast your vote today. Voting ends July 31.
Click Here to see a video on Tom Gettings.
In his role with Wildlands Conservancy, Tom Gettings created and led many outdoor recreation programs, introducing thousands to the natural places in the local community.
In 1999, Gettings helped launch the Bike & Boat program, a combination bicycling and canoeing trip, to introduce participants to the Lehigh River’s historical, cultural and environmental significance to the area. The program, currently in its 11th year, hosted more than 30,000 middle-school-aged children.
Gettings also has led the effort in the publication of two map sets – Walk for Wellness, a two-version map set consisting of directions, maps and descriptions of 55 local trails and parks and Hike the Highlands, variations of the Walk for Wellness maps consisting of 45 more trail maps.
As an avid outdoorsman, Gettings focuses on creating opportunities for residents to enjoy their natural surroundings through the creation of trails. He led the implementation of the Trexler Nature Preserve Master Site plan – a plan for the natural development of the 1,108-acre preserve including a new 20-mile trail system for hiking, horse-back riding and mountain biking; space for picnicking; fishing and hunting areas; and an award-winning “green” environmental center.
Most recently, Gettings aided in the completion of the Jordan Creek Greenway and Trail Feasibility Study in 2009 and began implementation in 2010. The project is designed to develop a continuous greenway corridor to connect existing protected open spaces while providing recreational and environmental benefits to the community.
Currently, Gettings is working with Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network to establish the “Get Out Lehigh Valley” outdoor education and fitness program.
“The impact of Tom Gettings’ work will be felt for generations to come through his efforts to protect and enhance our green infrastructure and connect people to nature.” stated Christopher M. Kocher, president of Wildlands Conservancy.
Prior to his work at Wildlands Conservancy, Gettings was the Director of Photography for Rodale, Inc after leaving the United States Marine Corps.
Visit the LL Bean Heroes webpage to cast your vote today!

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