The recently launched Appalachian Trail Community Conservation Collaborative is an exciting new initiative led by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) dedicated to amplifying local voices and supporting community-led conservation efforts while strengthening economies and sense of place in Pennsylvania communities. The mission is to empower local leaders by providing access to essential planning tools, technical assistance, funding resources, and dynamic networks for peer learning.

The Collaborative has attracted a diverse collection of communities that will form a patchwork of cultural, economic, and ecological connections anchored by the Appalachian Trail and the gateways to many of Pennsylvania’s unique places. Community teams that expressed interest were accepted into the program and a kick-off meeting is taking place in early December. Community teams are now completing a Community Survey to understand baseline conservation and economic conditions that will also inform the next steps. Consultants hired and managed by ATC are developing customized Community & Conservation Baseline Assessments for each community. Regional Impact & Innovation Action Planning Workshops will be held in early 2026, followed by 6+ months of customized technical assistance and resource sharing to implement community team plans. Finally, a celebratory Vision to Action Celebration Summit will be held in late 2026.

Balancing Stewardship and Economic Growth

Many communities are eager to balance economic growth with conservation and stewardship goals, and may be interested in exploring how to expand into the outdoor recreation economy. Final projects and plans will be developed through the workshops in early 2026. However, some information is becoming known as Community Teams filled out applications. For example, the number one threat for all communities is flooding, followed by severe storms, poor water quality, and invasive species. Additionally, the top three barriers to conservation or outdoor recreation according to Community Teams are funding, limited access to nature, and competing land use priorities.

Collaborative Communities on the Ridge

One such community is the Borough of Duncannon, an existing Appalachian Trail Community. The Duncannon Appalachian Trail Community leads the team composed of Duncannon Borough Council and staff, The Nature Conservancy, Perry County Conservation District, and Pennsylvania Downtown Center. The team lists potential goals of improving wayfinding for locals and visitors, improving pedestrian road crossings, initiating a bike/ADA accessible trail to broaden tourism opportunities, river access, removing invasive species, or preserving local hemlock trees.

A second community is the Borough of Port Clinton with a team being led by a Borough Council representative and comprised of Penn State Master Watershed Stewards, Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area, Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club, and more. The team is motivated by preserving/restoring natural resources, enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities, building community resiliency against natural disasters, strengthening local identity and pride, increasing economic development, and learning from peer communities.

Building on Trust

Building on a century of trusted partnerships and programs like the A.T. Community Program and the Kittatinny Ridge Conservation Landscape, the initiative is bringing together community teams made up of local leaders representing a diversity of community expertise from conservation, agriculture, tourism, government agencies, humanities and more to co-create solutions that address community needs and conservation benefits such as the protection of natural resources, support outdoor recreation economies, and sustain the Kittatinny Ridge and Appalachian Trail Landscape for future generations.

Learn more about the Collaborative from our partners at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.