The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is pleased to announce the inaugural cohort of the Appalachian Trail Community Conservation Collaborative (ATCCC) , a new initiative designed to elevate local leadership, strengthen community-driven conservation, and support vibrant economies throughout the Appalachian Trail Landscape in Pennsylvania.
Following a competitive application process, seven community teams have been selected to participate in the inaugural ATCCC: Duncannon, Port Clinton, Shippensburg, Boiling Springs & South Middleton Township, Gettysburg & Adams County, Stroud Township, and Berks & Schuylkill Counties.
As the first major milestone of the Collaborative, the ATC will host two Community Conservation Impact & Innovation Workshops later this month, bringing together the cohort of community teams, partners, and regional supporters to co-create solutions at the intersection of conservation, economic vitality, and sense of place. The first will be held in Reading, February 17-18, and the second will be held in Boiling Springs, February 19-20.
“The Appalachian Trail has always been sustained by strong communities,” said Katie Allen, director of Landscape Conservation, Appalachian Trail Conservancy. “The A.T. Community Conservation Collaborative is about investing in those local leaders—listening to their ideas, supporting their priorities, and working together to ensure conservation strengthens both landscapes and livelihoods.”
The Appalachian Trail Community Conservation Collaborative builds on more than a century of trusted partnerships stewarding the Appalachian Trail. Drawing inspiration from programs such as the A.T. Community™ Program and the South Mountain Partnership , the ATCCC centers local voices and supports community-led projects that protect natural resources, enhance outdoor recreation economies, and sustain the character and identity of communities across the Appalachian Trail landscape.
“What makes this Collaborative different is that it starts with communities defining success for themselves,” said Katie Hess, director of Pennsylvania Landscape Conservation. “Our role is to help connect ideas to resources, partners, and pathways that turn vision into action.”
To bring the Collaborative’s vision into action, the ATC will host two 1.5-day, hands-on Impact & Innovation Workshops. While each workshop will follow the same format and goals, different community teams will convene at each location.
Through interactive sessions focused on scenario planning, funding pathways, and conservation strategies, participants will exchange ideas, build relationships, and develop practical project concepts rooted in local needs and opportunities.
Community leaders see the Collaborative as an opportunity to align conservation goals with local priorities and long-term resilience.
“I’m really excited for this. I think this is super important for the future of our community,” said Joshua Mitchell, director of the Shippensburg Community Parks and Recreation Authority and community lead for the Shippensburg Area team. “We need support to move us forward, so this means a lot to me personally.”
Workshop #1: February 17–18, 2026
Reading, PA
Community teams attending:
- Berks & Schuylkill County Land and Water Collaborative
- Borough of Port Clinton
- Stroud Township
Workshop #2: February 19–20, 2026
Boiling Springs, PA
Community teams attending:
- Boiling Springs / South Middleton Township
- Duncannon Appalachian Trail Community
- Town of Gettysburg & Adams County
- Shippensburg Area
The February workshops mark the beginning of a longer-term collaborative effort. Following the workshop, each community will receive targeted technical assistance to advance its action plan for the conservation projects developed by each community team.
The ATC will continue convening partners and communities toward a future Vision to Action Summit in the fall, designed to accelerate implementation and investment.
Founded in 1925, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy works passionately to manage and protect the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. As the only non-profit devoted exclusively to the entirety of the Trail and its landscape, we endeavor to keep its vast natural and scenic beauty healthy, resilient, and connected, so that everyone can experience its transformative power for generations to come. Together with our supporters, partners, and thousands of volunteers, we keep the Trail alive.
Contact:
Katie Allen, Director of Landscape Conservation, kallen@appalachiantrail.org