The Dunleavy Foundation has made the largest philanthropic gift in the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s (ATC) history, donating $5 million to support the Wild East Action Fund. This donation aims to advance local conservation efforts and enhance the protection of the landscapes surrounding the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. The gift will support conservation partners in collectively safeguarding over 200,000 acres of the Appalachian Trail landscape, preserving clean water, wildlife habitats, working farms, and cherished outdoor spaces, while also strengthening local communities and long-term regional resilience.
As the ATC celebrates its centennial in 2025, the foundation’s gift will bolster the nonprofit’s mission to protect, manage, and advocate for the Appalachian Trail so that it remains a place of transformative outdoor experiences. ATC President and CEO Sandra Marra emphasized that caring for the trail is about preserving a piece of American identity and conserving healthy forests, wildlife habitats, and scenic landscapes. The donation, the largest to the ATC’s $50 million Centennial Campaign, increases the campaign’s total raised from $29 million to $34 million, bringing the organization closer to its centennial funding goal.
Dr. Keith Dunleavy, co-founder of the Dunleavy Foundation, shared that his connection to the Appalachian Trail began with scouting and college hikes and grew into a lifelong appreciation for its vistas and ecosystems. He and his wife, Dr. Katherine Kirby Dunleavy, highlighted the importance of protecting this national treasure for future generations, emphasizing the need to preserve America’s natural heritage.
The Appalachian Trail spans nearly 2,200 miles, attracting millions of visitors annually, and serves as a vital wildlife corridor. Its 26.7-million-acre landscape is globally significant for biodiversity, carbon-sequestering forests, essential water resources, and recreational opportunities. Despite its importance, the ecosystems surrounding the trail face threats from development, extreme weather, wildfires, and habitat fragmentation.
Since 2018, the Wild East Action Fund has invested over $2.5 million in land protection, conservation planning, and capacity building, safeguarding more than 88,000 acres across all 14 states the trail traverses. The fund provides crucial seed or final funding to conservation projects, helping local partners connect and protect the Appalachian Trail landscape through the Appalachian Trail Landscape Partnership.
Dan Ryan, ATC’s vice president of conservation and government relations, noted that the Dunleavy Foundation’s support will allow the Wild East Action Fund to continue enabling on-the-ground conservation work, protecting the trail and its surrounding lands for future generations. The ATC, founded in 1925, remains the only nonprofit dedicated exclusively to the entire Appalachian Trail and its landscape, ensuring its natural and scenic beauty remains healthy, resilient, and connected for all to experience.
