Appalachian Trail Corridor, Stamford

The Appalachian Trail is one of the longest continuously marked footpaths in the world. More than 2 million visitors walk a portion of the trail each year and thousands of volunteers help to maintain it. Communities value the Trail as a way to preserve local recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat, cultural resources and scenic views—all things that improve the quality of life in small towns. Development within and near the narrow trail corridor threatens natural resources and the hiking experience.

A mile-long segment running through Stamford, Vermont, was among the most poorly protected: the previous easement covered just 100 feet on either side of the trail and allowed for commercial logging.

When the 384-acre property surrounding this section of trail went up for auction, The Trust for Public Land moved quickly to secure the property. In 2015, the Trust for Public Land succeeded in adding it to the Green Mountain National Forest, securing the wilderness experience along this section of the Appalachian Trail. The property includes the Seth Warner shelter, habitat for the state-endangered American Marten, and Broad Brook, a critical water source.

The Trust for Public Land is partnering with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, National Park Service and state-wide organizations like the Green Mountain Club to add protection where the Appalachian Trail remains vulnerable.