Volunteer Spotlight

A friendly welcome at a registration table in 1987 sparked what would become nearly four decades of Appalachian Trail stewardship for Theresa Duffey.

“I was covering a Virginia State Park booth at the A.T. biennial conference in Lynchburg and members of the Old Dominion Appalachian Trail Club were managing the registration table,” Theresa recalled. “They were so welcoming and encouraged me to join the club.”

That invitation opened the door to 39 years of service to the A.T. Theresa began attending Old Dominion Appalachian Trail Club (ODATC) board meetings, joining maintenance trips, and participating in the Club’s hikes and outings. As someone relatively new to the Richmond area at the time, the Club also provided her with a sense of community.

“It was a great opportunity…to meet people who liked to do the same activities that I did,” she shared.

Former ODATC President Pat Doyle described Theresa as someone “who has been wherever our club and the trail have needed her over the past 35 years.” Theresa served on the ODATC Board of Directors for most of her tenure with the Club, including two terms as president. She also assists with border monitoring work, helps with Club outreach, and serves as the unofficial ODATC historian.

Theresa also maintained a particularly challenging section of the A.T. for many years, battling fast-growing grass and invasive plants – with the extra challenge of working around a steady stream of trail runners.

Beyond her leadership within ODATC, Theresa has also served in key roles across the broader A.T. community. She served on the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s (ATC) former Board of Managers, chaired the Virginia Regional Partnership Committee, and currently contributes as a member of the ATC’s Stewardship Council, serving as chair of the Partnership Coordinating Committee for the past four years.

“Theresa is such an asset to ODATC, as well as the entire Appalachian Trail community,” said Leanna Joyner, ATC’s Senior Director of Partnership & Trail Operations. “I’ve appreciated the steadfast way Theresa has convened partners in Virginia and helped ATC’s Stewardship Council with A.T. partnership coordination initiatives.”

During her time as chair of the Partnership Coordinating Committee, the group has hosted two Volunteer Leadership Meetings, supported partners with guidance on code of conduct, helped write guidance for safe return to work of volunteers following natural disasters, and developed orientation resources for new federal partner staff.

“Theresa has been a tireless advocate for the Trail both locally and with various roles with ATC,” said Dave Wilcox, ODATC Trail Maintenance Supervisor. “She has been a core leader of ODATC the last two decades.”

Theresa’s personal appreciation for the A.T. has only deepened over the years.

“Initially, the A.T. was important to me because of the sense of community it gave me,” she said. “As my involvement grew over the years, I came to appreciate the cultural and biological significance of the physical trail, and the sense of accomplishment it has brought to so many who have hiked the trail.”

Throughout her years of service, Theresa has drawn inspiration from the community of others who also care for the A.T.

“The dedication of the volunteers, ATC staff, and agency partners has been one of the most amazing things I’ve experienced,” she shared.

Leanna also reflected on how Theresa’s connection to the Trail has evolved over the years. “I love that she started volunteering when her daughter was younger and still in school, and now she volunteers between stints of babysitting her grandchild,” she said. “It speaks to how she has grown up with the Trail and how the Trail has grown through her.”

Her advice to anyone considering volunteering?

“As a volunteer for the A.T., you will never meet a more dedicated group of individuals who are willing to welcome you by sharing their passion, expertise, and devotion.”