Whether hiking or volunteering on the Trail or leading the organization entrusted with its care, these themes have resurfaced throughout my four decades of A.T. stewardship, and I am confident they are a focus for the ATC’s Board of Directors as they search for my successor.
The Trail’s remarkable partnership model represents one of conservation’s greatest success stories. It is what first drew me to the Trail as an idealistic twenty-something-year-old. This collaboration between citizen volunteers and the federal government, alongside state and local jurisdictions, communities, and conservation organizations, has created a grassroots network that forms the backbone of the Trail’s endurance and resilience. And it is a shining example of how collective energy can truly create and protect what is most important.
As much as the core of the model remains steadfast, the collective network has also learned that it needs to adapt and change to meet whatever challenges it is facing. During my time stewarding the Trail, natural disasters and complex political challenges have continued to evolve and now represent some of our greatest challenges. While catastrophic weather events like Hurricane Helene devastated roughly 800 miles of Trail, shifts in ideology and national priorities have introduced new challenges that strike at the Trail’s foundation.
For me personally, adaptation has been central to leading the ATC through the past seven years as its President and CEO. My tenure has seen Covid, political and social upheaval, Supreme Court decisions impacting the A.T., as well as hurricanes and wildfires. To ensure the organization continued to thrive and grow amid challenges, I had to be open to new approaches and ideas to achieve our ambitious goals, admit and learn from my mistakes, and shift direction when necessary.
At the core of the A.T. and my work is the concept of stewardship, defined as the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care. This definition is something I have always taken to heart, from the first time I stepped on the Trail with loppers in hand, to volunteering and eventually leading the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, to moving to the Board of ATC, and now in this final role as CEO.
On June 6, the day before National Trails Day, the entirety of ATC’s staff stepped away from their workstations and spent the day providing hands-on stewardship of the Appalachian Trail. Joined by partners and volunteers, it was an opportunity for us to reconnect with the resource and our mission in a tangible way. I have come to understand that as much as my stewardship has helped the Trail, the act of stewarding this incredible place has enriched my life tenfold.
As the Appalachian Trail Conservancy enters its second century, the tagline “Keep the Trail Alive” represents more than a slogan — it’s a rallying cry for all who recognize the Trail’s transformational power. Preserving the Trail transcends simple maintenance; it involves protecting a fundamental piece of America’s identity and heritage.
To make sure the ATC and the Trail continue to endure, adapt, and thrive, the Conservancy made the decision to initiate the organization’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign with a goal of raising $50 million.
We marked the official public launch of this effort — the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Centennial Campaign — at our celebratory Centennial Gala held on June 11 in Washington, D.C. I am thrilled to announce that the campaign has already surpassed the halfway mark with more than $26 million raised.
The campaign is a strategic investment across three critical areas of our work: Protect, Experience, and Belong. These encompass safeguarding threatened landscapes, preparing for increased use and climate change, deepening community connections, and inspiring the next generation of stewards. In this issue of the magazine, you will learn how you can support this important work and join in this campaign.
The Appalachian Trail embodies a promise that through partnership and perseverance, Americans can protect what matters most. This promise has been tested repeatedly, from the Trail’s initial construction through decades of natural and human-made challenges.
The Trail’s success reflects the unwavering dedication of supporters, volunteers, staff, partners, and federal colleagues who have accomplished things that once seemed impossible. The path forward requires the same qualities that have sustained it throughout history: resilience, partnership, and unwavering commitment to preservation. The challenges ahead may differ from previous decades, but the fundamental approach remains unchanged: walk forward together and Keep the Trail Alive.
In an era of increasing division, the Appalachian Trail stands as a reminder of what Americans can accomplish when they unite around shared values of conservation, community, and stewardship. It offers proof that through collective action and dedication, irreplaceable treasures can not only survive but thrive for future generations to discover and cherish.
Thank you for all of your stewardship of the ATC and the Trail.
