Take Action

Let Congress know of your support

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail was congressionally designated in 1968, recognizing the Trail as worthy of inclusion in the National Park System. Members of Congress continue to make important decisions that affect the Trail, with the potential for positive outcomes or negative consequences.

You can let your U.S. Senators and your Representative in the U.S. House know of your interest in seeing that the Appalachian Trail is supported in a way that protects the Trail and surrounding lands for generations to come.

 

Appalachian Trail Priorities for the 118th Congress

• Appropriate funding for the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service to manage and maintain the nearly 2,220-mile Appalachian Trail. 
• Extend the Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) and provide stronger annual support for public lands stewardship. Established within the Great American Outdoors Act of 2020, the LRF authorizes $1.9 billion per year for crucial investments in units and infrastructure maintained by the NPS, USFS, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Indian Education. It is set to expire in 2025. 
• Commitment to address a staggering backload of deferred maintenance needs in our National Parks, including maintenance needs on the A.T. that are beyond the scope of the Trail’s volunteer force. 
• Foresighted policy and legislation that recognize the importance of keeping the Appalachian Trail Corridor ecologically intact and growing to provide clean air and clean water, to preserve biodiversity, provide migratory opportunities and to stem the impacts of climate change.