Online Training Library

Volunteer Orientation

This 10-minute video provides helpful background on the management of the Appalachian Trail to prepare you for a deeper understanding of volunteering for this National Scenic Trail.

A.T. Cooperative Management 101

This 48-minute training will cover the history of the A.T. from inception to protection and beyond, told by the partners who cooperatively manage the Trail.

A.T. Cooperative Management: Essential Agreements

The success of the Cooperative Management System is supported through a number of agreements, outlined in this 35-minute video, and close partner communication.

Managing Beyond Trail Maintenance: A Programmatic Tour

This self-paced online training covers programs the ATC and partners undertake to care for the realm beyond the footpath (5 videos, about 28 minutes of total run time).

Field Leadership Essentials

This self-paced online training covers Field Leadership Essentials, or, Shovel-Ready Projects in about 39 minutes.

Organizational Leadership Best Practices

Intended for A.T. Club leaders, this webinar covers best practices of organizational leadership to benefit their organization. Self-paced online training in five chapters, total running time 1 hour 5 minutes.

The Keys to Effective Club Meetings

This self-paced online training includes a guide for planning and running effective meetings. From planning and preparation, tools for effectively conducting the meetings, and providing closure and follow-up, this course is a helpful tool for A.T.-maintaining clubs and Communities. This training is distributed as a resource booklet.

Trail Safe! Training

Trail Safe! is a unique safety program designed specifically for National Park Service trail volunteers. It’s based on NPS Operational Leadership Training, where the human factor of safety is explored. 8 videos, with about a 3-hour run time.

Visit Trail Safe! Training Visit A.T. Sawyer Program

A.T. Corridor Stewardship

The primary goal of this training is to provide Appalachian National Scenic Trail volunteers with basic knowledge for monitoring the A.T. corridor, maintaining its surveyed boundaries, and taking effective and efficient action to address encroachments. Rather than the usual video module, this training will provide access to an e-book.

Trail Design & the Dynamics of Water

Ever wonder why the Trail is designed the way it is? The dynamics of water is a determining factor. This training will introduce the A.T. desired condition, trail design and construction. This video has a run time of about 30-minutes.

Introduction to Natural Resource Management

Natural Resource coordinators share information about this program area. Why is the realm of the A.T. exceptional? Why monitor and manage natural resources? This 40-minute video explains why this work is important and what it entails.

Sustainable Trail and Campsite Management Study

Dr. Jeff Marion, Dr. Jeremy Wimpey, and Johanna Arredondo performed a 5-year study on sustainable trail & camping management on the A.T. These are the results of their findings. This video has a run time of about 93-minutes.

Trail Asset Inventory

ATC, NPS-APPA, and the Appalachian Trail maintaining clubs have undertaken a Trail-wide inventory to count every location and feature along the A.T. corridor. Learn how its improves project development and makes the A.T. more competitive for federal funds. This video has a run time of about 1-hour and 30-minutes.

A.T. Landscape: Status of a Critical Climate Corridor

Abigal Weinberg of the Open Space Institute discusses the Appalachian Trail Landscape as a critical climate corridor in this 41-minute self-paced online training.

An Assessment of Ecological Values in Protection beyond the A.T. Corridor

Dr. Pete McKinley of the Wilderness Society shares insights from his paper in this 52-minute self-paced online training.

The Eastern Wildway & The I-40 and Pigeon River Gorge Wildlife Crossing Project

Dr. Ron Sutherland of the Wildland Network discusses how designing a continental-scale habitat network helps conserve biodiversity in this 81-minute self-paced online training.

The Maine A.T. 2020 Report

In this 57-minute recorded webinar, Simon Rucker, Executive Director of the Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust, highlights the methodology for analysis and prioritization for land conservation of the Appalachian Trail in Maine.

Long-term Research & Monitoring in Northeast Mountains

In this 86-minute recorded webinar, guest speakers Sarah Nelson and Georgia Murray of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) discuss long-term research and monitoring in Northeast Mountains.

Assessing Natural Resources for the Appalachian Trail

In this 87-minute recorded webinar, Dr. Claire Jantz, a professor at Shippensburg University and director of the Center for Land Use and Sustainability, discusses the assessment of natural resources for the Appalachian Trail.

Field Leadership: Volunteer Recruitment

This 16-minute video on volunteer recruitment is intended for A.T. volunteer leaders or those interested in becoming A.T. volunteer leaders. Topics covered in this field leadership training module include: methods for recruiting for volunteers, volunteer motivations and incentives, the importance of a welcome wagon process for new volunteers, as well as how to craft event invitations and position descriptions.

Field Leadership: Basics of Project Planning

This 9-minute video on project planning is intended for individuals leading others on the Appalachian Trail. Topics covered in this field leadership training module include: understanding how fundamental principles of project planning supports volunteer recruitment and maximizes volunteer impact.