Later this summer, communities will have the opportunity to throw their hat in the ring to benefit as part of the first-ever Appalachian Trail Community Conservation Collaborative pilot.
What is the Appalachian Trail Community Conservation Collaborative?
The Appalachian Trail Community Conservation Collaborative (ATCCC) is a new initiative led by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) to empower Pennsylvanian communities near the Appalachian Trail to lead local conservation efforts while strengthening their economies and sense of place. Building on a century of trusted partnerships and programs like the A.T. Community Program and South Mountain Partnership, this initiative seeks to bring together community teams made up of diverse types of people like local leaders, conservation and promotion organizations, government agencies, and the humanities to name a few, to work together and co-create solutions that address a community need while also producing a conservation benefit such as protect natural resources and support outdoor recreation economies.
Why now?
Many communities are eager to balance economic growth with conservation and stewardship goals, and some may be interested in exploring how to expand into the outdoor recreation economy. This Collaborative provides communities with planning tools, peer networks, sustained technical assistance, and access to underutilized resources like the Conservation Landscapes, Heritage Areas, and the Highlands Conservation Act, enabling them to shape their own conservation priorities while leveraging resources from other initiatives. This is a timely opportunity to strengthen community assets, enhance quality of life, and explore conservation and stewardship goals.
The A.T. corridor in Pennsylvania is ecologically vital—home to rich biodiversity, clean water sources, and irreplaceable forests. Together, we can ensure that the Trail continues to connect not just landscapes, but people, economies, and shared futures.
What will you receive from the Collaborative?
Community teams will receive the following benefits at no cost:
- A customized Community and Conservation Assessment which will include a tailored report identifying conservation opportunities, weather-related vulnerabilities, and an analysis of local assets, ecological, community health, and economic data.
- Team participation in an in-person Impact & Innovation Workshop in your region for community teams and local conservationists to identify shared community priorities, spark action, and develop concrete, data supported conservation projects and plans for implementation.
- Six months of professional support to implement your project and skill development through peer-to-peer exchange, extra resources, and technical support, as well as finding and accessing potential funding opportunities, networking with skilled specialists in your area, and identification of additional resources on an on-going basis.
- Public recognition, networking, and visibility at a final event that highlights your community project to elected officials, community members, and potential funders.
- Voluntary opportunity to become a designated A.T. Community through ATC’s A.T. Community™ Program.
How to apply/Is your community a good fit?
Starting in September, an application will be available on the AT CCC website to apply. This opportunity is free and open to all communities in the Appalachian Trail Landscape. Over 400 municipalities are eligible and a list of all eligible municipalities will be available when the application opens. Your community doesn’t have to be a trail town or be on the Appalachian Trail.
This opportunity is for communities looking for ways to expand their conservation skills and network of partners, understand the benefits of environmental stewardship, and develop more skills to balance nature and economic development. The Collaborative will provide a convening space for learning together about what matters most to your community and exploring how nature-based solutions can be part of a bright future that serves everyone and generations yet to come.