Protected lands are an investment that must be looked after and cared for carefully. When a piece of property has been put under easement or bought for conservation purposes, the work has just begun: the conservation organization now has the responsibility to ensure that the land stays in good condition and fulfills the conservation purposes for which it was protected, forever. And forever is a very long time!

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy has protected hundreds of acres and turned them over to state or federal partners. ATC has also contributed significantly to the protection of hundreds of additional acres by contributing and supporting projects led by our partners. Still the Appalachian Trail Conservancy holds easements over more than 3500 acres, and owns more than 1100 acres outright, spread over the 14 Trail states from Maine to Georgia.

On easement lands, ATC is committed to maintaining relationships with land owners and working with them to preserve and protect the propertiesí conservation values. ATC monitors all easement properties every year through a combination of volunteers, staff and aerial photography, and works to resolve any issues in collaboration with the landowners. ATC also engages local or regional partners to provide on the ground services and expertise when necessary. On lands owned by ATC, boundaries are posted as necessary to prevent issues such as ATV access, illegal hunting and tree cutting; ATC staff work with local volunteers, communities and landowners towards local use of the properties that is harmonious with their conservation purpose.†

ATC protected lands are designed to provide an additional buffer to the Appalachian Trail: for that reason, rules similar to those in force on A.T. lands are usually also enforced on ATC protected lands. This includes prohibiting ATVs, ORVs and other motorized vehicles as well as hunting.

ATC is also responsible for stewarding the National Park Service-administered Appalachian Trail corridor lands. Visit the Corridor Stewardship page for more information on this program.