Giving Back to the Trail

Volunteers: In Their Words

Maintaining and protecting all 2,194.3 miles of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) is not easy work. Even so, thousands of volunteers spend countless hours each year doing just that — caring for the Trail, conserving its resources, and protecting its one-of-a-kind hiking experience. From clearing blowdowns to hauling in mulch for privies to educating visitors on Leave No Trace principles, volunteers are a huge part of why the A.T. exists today. To provide a look at what motivates A.T. volunteers to come back to the Trail each year, we are proud to highlight the stories of four volunteers who share their experiences in giving back to the Trail and how they are helping prepare future generations of A.T. stewards.

diane-petrilla-m-d
Volunteers: In Their Words

Diane Petrilla, M.D.

"Being on the A.T. for maintenance or other projects is another way for me to be outside but be thoroughly engaged with the land itself."

Read More
donna-chapman-2
Volunteers: In Their Words

Donna Chapman

"As an avid hiker, it was never a question of if, but rather when I could start as an A.T. volunteer."

Read More
joe-morris-2
Volunteers: In Their Words

Joe Morris

"I have been fortunate enough, in my lifetime, to build steps and cribs that the next generation of hikers will tread and the next generation of maintainers will repair."

Read More
emily-sellards
Volunteers: In Their Words

Emily Sellards

"The respect I have for Trail maintainers is immense... I can see the love for the Trail that every maintainer I’ve interacted with has for the resource."

Read More

Are you interested in giving back to the Trail? Click below to learn about upcoming volunteer opportunities and ways to learn more about A.T. volunteer programs.