Founded in 1925, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s mission is to protect, manage, and advocate for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail so that the A.T. and its landscape are always protected, resilient, and connected for all.
As the organization that leads much of the day-to-day management of the Appalachian Trail—enabled through cooperative agreements with the National Park Service, the USDA Forest Service, A.T. Clubs (independent, local partners), and state agencies—the ATC oversees the resources and grassroots effort needed to maintain the integrity of the treadway, protect and restore critical habitats in the ~370,000-acre A.T. corridor, and enrich visitor experiences by providing essential knowledge for fulfilling Trail experiences.
The unifying non-governmental partner for the A.T., the ATC coordinates the A.T.'s Cooperative Management Systempartners together with land trusts, agencies, ?organizations, communities, and private landowners to protect priority lands and waters connected to the Appalachian Trail landscape. This work, through the Appalachian Trail Landscape Partnership, advances ecological connectivity, climate resilience, scenic integrity, recreation access, and protection of the Trail experience beyond the federally protected corridor.
The ATC’s Strategic Plan prioritizes engaging and expanding the community of Appalachian Trail supporters. It works with broad networks of partners to foster opportunities for welcoming new people—as hikers, volunteers, and visitors. The ATC offers training and workshops for the 30 Trail Clubs to support their vitality, and it creates opportunities for new people to experience and contribute to the A.T. through programming like the Emerging Leaders’ Summit and the Next Generation Advisory Council.
In the face of escalating threats that jeopardize the A.T.’s ecological integrity, scenic beauty, and the cherished Trail experience, the ATC is committed to safeguarding this treasured landscape to ensure that future generations of visitors, local communities, and wildlife can continue to benefit from it.