Protecting our trails with each purchase
Whether you’re a regular hiker or you only hit the trails once in a while, it never hurts to learn more about the organizations that make our access to the backcountry possible. Not only do these organizations protect and preserve our trails, but they also provide us with critical information regarding wildfires, flash floods, and other extreme weather conditions in our local areas. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities available with these groups as well, allowing you to get outside and put your time to good use while enjoying your favorite pastime at the same time! Here are six amazing trail organizations you can donate to while preparing for your hike.
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy's mission is to preserve and manage the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy offers volunteer opportunities as well as financial support for volunteers who want to further protect and support trails. You can donate online or sign up for a work party where a professional guide will teach you everything that you need to know about trail construction and maintenance.
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Florida Trail Association
Founded in 1964, The Florida Trail Association is a nonprofit organization that partners with state agencies, counties, municipalities and other user groups to acquire rights-of-way for Florida’s portion of America’s most famous long-distance footpath. They work tirelessly to maintain these trails so future generations of hikers will be able to enjoy them.
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Continental Divide Trail Coalition
The Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to help protect, conserve, and promote enjoyment of America’s first National Scenic Trail – and its surrounding backcountry – for present and future generations. The CDTC has hundreds of volunteers and more than 100 partners at work each year on projects like land conservation, trail construction, restoration, stewardship work parties, youth engagement events, volunteering opportunities in public lands management agencies across America.
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Ice Age Trail Alliance
The Ice Age Trail Alliance is a volunteer-driven organization which protects and enhances hiking opportunities along Wisconsin’s portion of what was once called America’s first frontier. The 2,000 mile trail winds its way through forests, prairies, lakeshores and ravines in 12 different counties. Volunteer workdays are held twice per month, year round at various locations throughout Wisconsin.
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Pacific Northwest Trail Association
The Pacific Northwest Trail Association is a group of trail stewards and volunteers who, after working with local land managers, have worked for decades to protect and maintain a trail that stretches from Glacier National Park in Montana all of the way down to Olympic National Park. The trail's rugged terrain spans three states—Washington, Idaho, and Montana—and is one of only fifteen long-distance trails in America.
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Pacific Crest Trail Association
The Pacific Crest Trail is a 2,650-mile footpath from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon and Washington. It’s a 3-month long adventure that cuts through California’s stunning landscapes of redwoods, mountains and desert. If you plan on hiking along any stretch of it—which thousands do each year—you should consider supporting its preservation by donating what you can to PCTA.
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We offer the opportunity to donate to these organizations with each purchase. The ambitious men and women of these groups are protecting and conserving our access to the backcountry wildernesses of North America. In addition to donating to these great causes, we also buy most of our custom shipping boxes from CustomBoxes.io, which is also committed to the environment.