Trail management encompasses our efforts to acquire land needed to safeguard the A.T. footpath and viewpoints, working with volunteer maintaining clubs and agency partners to maintain the Trail and its structures, and responding to proposed developments of many kinds that could harm the Trail's setting and values.

Trail-stewardship refers to the “on the ground” work performed by volunteers in the mountain woods and across the rural valleys. ATC coordinates this work and training for volunteers, helps set policy parameters, and supplies tools and other resources.

“Stewardship” means keeping the footpath clear of natural overgrowth and blow downs from storms; building or repairing shelters and small footbridges; caring for privies at overnight sites; finding and then monitoring the health of rare, threatened, and endangered species that live within the boundaries of the lands that protect the Trail; and marking and safeguarding those boundaries against incompatible uses of the land. Learn more about volunteering. 

It also means deploying ridgerunners along high-use sections of the Trail, to help hikers and other visitors as necessary. 

Threats to the otherwise protected corridor can come, for example, from poorly planned development, communications and broadcast towers, highways, utilities' lines, or housing and recreational developments. Staff members, agency partners, and volunteers all have active roles in both land acquisition and minimizing the adverse effects of development. Get involved to help protect the Trail.

Trail management links:
› Cooperative Management Partners
› Trail Clubs
› Trail Policies
› ATC Conservation Programs 
› Information for Volunteer Leaders 
› Biennial Meetings
› ATC Offices