Beckley Area Trails Community Engagement – VISTA Summer Associate -AmeriCorps

Position Title:  Beckley Area Trails Community Engagement – VISTA Summer Associate

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placement

Site Location:

Beckley Area Trails

3100 Robert C Byrd Dr, Beckley, WV 25801

Terms of Service:


* Start Date: 6/1/2026


* End Date: 8/9/2026


* AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 300 hours (Minimum-Time)

Purpose:


* Raleigh and Fayette Counties are rural Appalachian communities experiencing long-term economic transition following coal industry decline.

Poverty rates in both counties range between 18–20%, exceeding national averages.

Median household incomes hover near $52,000, and bachelor’s degree attainment rates (16–22%) trail national benchmarks.

Many families experience limited access to stable, high-wage employment, and a significant percentage of students qualify for free and reduced lunch.

Persistent challenges include workforce outmigration, health disparities, limited transportation access, and reduced economic diversification.


* This project connects to poverty alleviation by strengthening the region’s growing outdoor recreation economy and building long-term community capacity.

The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve has significantly increased tourism and recreation-based economic activity.

By building sustainable programming, collecting user data, and supporting progress toward IMBA Ride Center designation, the project helps attract visitors, increase local spending, and create demand for small businesses such as outfitters, guides, lodging providers, restaurants, and retail shops.


* Additionally, free group hikes and rides reduce financial barriers to outdoor access for local residents, promoting health, community connection, and equitable participation.

Strengthening stewardship education protects trail infrastructure investments, ensuring long-term sustainability of recreation assets that drive economic activity.


* By expanding participation, improving data-driven planning, and increasing visibility of the region as a recreation destination, this project supports economic diversification, workforce attraction and retention, and small business growth—key strategies for moving communities toward long-term economic stability and reduced poverty.


* This project builds capacity at Beckley Area Trails by creating sustainable systems for community programming, outreach, and data collection.  The VISTA member will help design and formalize the structure of the Group Hike and Group Ride Program—developing event templates, volunteer coordination systems, promotional strategies, and participation tracking tools that can be sustained beyond the service term.

The member will also implement survey processes and compile impact data to strengthen grant competitiveness and inform regional planning tied to IMBA Ride Center designation.  By summer’s end, BAT will have stronger program infrastructure, measurable impact data, and improved outrea...