or many years, concerned citizens in the southeastern United States and elsewhere have worked diligently to perpetuate and memorialize William Bartram and his significant contributions to America’s natural and cultural heritage. From 1914 to the present, six different Bartram organizations have been formed to carry out this work and promote public interest in William Bartram.
In 1975 the need for more formal action was recognized. The Bartram Trail Conference was established by the concerted action of the governors of eight southeastern states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. Formal organization occurred on November 4, 1975, with bylaws and constitution adopted November 12, 1976. The Conference includes two citizen members appointed by the governors of each state and any other individuals choosing to join. It is administered by a Board of Managers elected by the membership.
The Conference was formally organized to promote interest in developing the Bartram Trail where feasible in the individual states and to coordinate a regionally unified effort toward that end. Since that time, the Conference’s goals have been broadened to encompass the study, preservation and interpretation of the William Bartram Heritage.
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