Join the AMC and help us protect our region's forests

AMC's forest conservation programs are a pivotal part of the organization's mission. Founded in 1876 in order to promote the preservation, enjoyment, and wise use of the mountains, rivers, and streams, we are a strong advocate for land and riverway conservation, and work actively to protect alpine and forest environments throughout the Northern Forest and Highland Regions of the Appalachian ecosystem.

The AMC's education and recreation activities and our lodging accommodations are all designed to allow members and the public to enjoy the forests of the Northeast in ways that avoid a negative impact on the environment; in addition, forest conservation and other ecology-related subjects are among our educational offerings, both in workshops geared for adults and in family- and teen-centered recreational programs.

The Maine Woods Initiative — our most ambitious project to date

The Appalachian Mountain Club has developed a comprehensive strategy for land conservation in the 100-Mile Wilderness region of Maine's North Woods. An innovative approach that combines outdoor recreation, resource protection, sustainable forestry practices, and community partnerships, the strategy represents the most significant investment in conservation and recreation in our 130-year history. Conservation measures include the purchase of a 37,000-acre tract formerly owned by International Paper that encompasses the headwaters of the West Branch of the Pleasant River, several remote ponds, and a portion of the Appalachian Trail and Gulf Hagas area. The protected region will include a 10,000 acre ecological reserve and special management zones to protect the West Branch watershed and other unique natural areas. A variety of recreational activities is being planned for the area, the emphasis being on remote wilderness experiences.

Beyond the basics — research, monitoring, and activism

Setting aside land for protection is the most direct way of promoting forest conservation, but we also go beyond that to deal with manmade forces that have a negative impact on the land and water. We monitor air quality in the White Mountains and conduct research on the impacts of ozone, haze, and acid rain on the environment, involving our members as volunteers in this important research. We also enlist our membership in our Conservation Action Network, which alerts omore than 20,000 activist members about critical conservation issues throughout the Northeast.

Join the Appalachian Mountain Club today and combine your love of the outdoors with opportunities to get involved with forest conservation, research, and activism; you'll get the chance to meet many likeminded people while making a real contribution to the future of the Northeast.