A $5 million donation from the Dunleavy Foundation to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy will go toward supporting the Wild East Action Fund to advance local efforts to protect 200,000 acres of the Appalachian Trail landscape. The efforts will include safeguarding clean water, wildlife habitat, working farms, and outdoor spaces while supporting local communities and long-term resilience across the region.
The philanthropic gift was the largest in the Appalachian Trail Conservancy's history and comes as the Conservancy celebrates its centennial this year. The donation was made as part of ATC’s Centennial Campaign, a multi-year comprehensive fundraising effort to address the challenges facing the Appalachian Trail and ensure its endurance. The campaign hopes to receive $50,000,000 over three and a half years.
“Caring for the A.T. is not just about maintaining a trail; it is about protecting a piece of American identity,” said Sandra Marra, president and CEO of the Conservancy. “The Dunleavy Foundation’s gift…will enhance efforts to ensure a conserved, connected, and resilient A.T. landscape. We are grateful for the foundation’s commitment to this beloved Trail that offers transformational experiences, a haven for biodiversity, and connects both people and communities.”
The Appalachian Trail is the world’s longest hiking-only footpath at 2,200 miles, as well as a vital wildlife corridor. The ecosystems surrounding the trail face ongoing threats from development, extreme weather events, wildfires, and fragmentation.
Since 2018, the Wild East Action Fund has provided more than $2.5 million toward land protection, capacity building, and conservation planning, enabling the protection of more than 88,000 acres in all 14 states that the trail traverses.
“By supporting our partners’ on-the-ground work, the ATC is ensuring that local conservation needs are met and the A.T. landscape and the experience it provides to millions of visitors is protected for generations to come,” said Dan Ryan, the vice president of conservation and government relations at ATC. “Thanks to the Dunleavy Foundation’s tremendous support, the Wild East Action Fund will continue to be a critical tool in the greater Appalachian Trail Landscape Partnership’s collaborative efforts to connect the wild, scenic, and cultural wonders of the A.T. and its surrounding lands.”
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