The Appalachian Trail Conservancy's diverse signature programs are organized under five banner areas, based on our conviction that the Appalachian Trail's future rests on both becoming an integral part of communities through which it passes and on the involvement of future generations.

A.T. Conservation

A.T. Conservation upholds the highest standards in monitoring, protecting, and maintaining the Trail. This area builds on the Trail’s international reputation as a recreational resource to include its value as a flyway and migratory corridor. Running primarily along the Appalachian highlands, trail lands protect headwater streams for major east coast watersheds. These high elevation lands also host a living catalog of hundreds of rare, threatened and endangered species. Thirty-two areas of significance to the Trail and its corridor have been identified as high-priority sites for protection, largely under threat from encroaching development.

The Appalachian Trail as a MEGA-Transect
A.T. Land Conservation
A.T. Corridor Stewardship
A.T. Management Policies and Resources

A.T. Classroom

A.T. Classroom invites students of all ages to explore the Trail as a resource for learning through outdoor education, service as a volunteer, and academic research. ATC and its partners created Trail to Every Classroom, a professional development program for primary and secondary schoolteachers. Environmental education, physical exercise and volunteer values are taught through pairing classrooms with current ATC volunteers and community partners.

Teacher Resources and Curriculum
Family Hiking

A.T. Citizens

A.T. Citizens extends our ability to conserve and maintain the footpath and its system of shelters and facilities. ATCitizen engages people from many walks of life in the important work of the Trail. Your support has already assisted ATC in supporting 30 Trail groups and more than 6,000 volunteers who donate more than 200,000 hours of time to the Trail, an estimated $3.7 million contribution to the management of this international resource. These volunteers are a dedicated group of men and women who demonstrate extraordinary commitment.

Volunteer Trail Crews
Appalachian Trail Clubs

A.T. Causes

A.T. Causes continues its 84-year tradition of responding to threats that affect both the A.T.’s footpath and the surrounding corridor. Establishing and enforcing Trail-friendly policy regarding such incursions as logging, off-road vehicle use, and transmission towers requires ATC and its partners to educate the public and key decision-makers about our concerns. The Trail confronts a wide array of budgetary, legislative and regulatory issues.

Issues facing the Appalachian Trail

A.T. Communities

A.T. Communities awakens “Trail consciousness” in the many communities touched by the Trail, highlighting its value as a recreational, volunteer, educational, and environmental resource. Nearly 90 million people live within a day’s drive of the Trail. The communities through which the A.T. traverses host unique cultural and natural elements that enhance the A.T. In 2006, we began the important work of engaging Trail communities in partnerships that aim to enhance the A.T. experience while protecting local assets that are attractive to A.T. visitors seeking respite from the pressures of urban living.

Appalachian Trail Community designation program
Regional Planning