The SETC logo is about the principles and processes for trails conservation. They are based on the teachings of Professor Aldo Leopold (1887-1948), father of contemporary American conservation.

The words harmony and trails conservation are at the focal point of the logo. In Leopold's words: "Conservation is man and land in harmony." A striving for a harmonious relationship among trail users and other users of the forest, and a harmony with the land that entails trail use practices that enhance and sustain trails ultimately results in trails conservation.

At the center of the logo is the effigy of a tree. As almost all of the trails in the southeastern United States are embedded in forests, the tree represents the forest -- that portion of the landscape that accommodates us.

Partnership, respect, sharing, and learning are the processes that enhance harmony among trail users and harmony with the land.

The appeal to Ride with a smile, a light hand, and lightly upon the land cloaks the body of Harmony and Trails Conservation. "Smile" is about a gentle relationship with other users of the landscape as well as other trail users. It signifies mutual respect, tolerance, and a willingness to share.

"A light hand" is about the harmonious relationship between horse and rider, because it is this relationship acted out in a wild place that we strive to celebrate and to preserve.

And "lightly upon the land" is about our concern for the landscape upon which we ride. We use it gently and intelligently so as to preserve opportunities where horse and rider re-create episodes of the history that led to the world in which we now live.