Author: AMC Staff
Year in Review
This year has been a bright one for AMC. Despite a difficult economy and continuing impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve accomplished a great deal – and our top website articles reflect that. Here’s a look back at some of the top articles from the first 11 months of 2022. January In January, we held […]
AMC Appoints Nicole Zussman as President and CEO
NOVEMBER 30, 2022 – BOSTON, MA – The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), the nation’s oldest conservation and recreation organization, announced today that its Board of Directors appointed Nicole Zussman as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2023. Zussman, a seasoned executive with decades of experience building and leading high-performing teams, most recently served […]
Gifts that Give Back to the Outdoors: AMC’s Holiday Gift Guide
It can be difficult to shop for those who love the outdoors, but AMC has you covered, whether you’re looking to go the traditional route with books and gear or would rather gift an experience. We’ve put together a gift guide for the outdoor adventurers in your life. And when you give an AMC gift, […]
Visitors See the Dark at AMC’s Inaugural Dark Sky Festival
Earlier this month, a group of outdoor enthusiasts gathered at AMC’s Medawisla Lodge for the inaugural See the Dark Festival – a weeklong celebration of the ecological, recreational, and cultural benefits of the night sky. Held just before the new moon for optimal star visibility, the event featured expert speakers, artists, and opportunities for stargazing. […]
Northeast Fall Foliage Tracker
Don’t miss out on peak colors this season! Get a head start on your autumn adventure plans by using our fall foliage tracker. Whether you’re headed out for a day trip, looking to join a guided adventure, or planning to set up basecamp at one of our huts or lodges, our tracker will help guide […]
Harriman State Park: A New York State of Mind
On a busy Friday morning in New York City, a taxi ride from the Upper West Side to the Financial District can take nearly an hour, the entire journey enmeshed in the sounds and smells of the city: car horns, exhaust, yesterday’s trash, and the unfiltered greetings of other New Yorkers. But head just […]
How We Did It: The Pleasant River Headwaters Forest Acquisition
Last week, we shared news of the Appalachian Mountain Club’s historic purchase of the Pleasant River Headwaters Forest in Piscataquis County, Maine, a purchase that increased the size of our Maine Woods Initiative to more than 100,000 acres. Since then, many have asked us how AMC was able to attain such a feat. Well, like […]
A Beginner-Friendly Overnight at Zealand Falls Hut
This hike takes you along a former logging railroad past beaver wetlands to one of the premier locations in the White Mountains for seeing birds and other wildlife, including moose and beavers. You get a clear view of Zealand Notch from AMC’s Zealand Falls Hut, and you can easily spend hours at the falls and […]
Appalachian Mountain Club Adds 27,000-Acre Maine Forest to Its Historic Maine Woods Initiative
Purchase of Pleasant River Headwaters Forest marks 100,000 acres under permanent protection by Appalachian Mountain Club’s Maine Woods Initiative, the most important multi-use recreation and land conservation project in the United States today. BOSTON, Aug. 30, 2022 – Today, the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) purchased the nearly 27,000-acre Pleasant River Headwaters Forest in Piscataquis County, Maine, for $18.5 million from The Conservation Fund. […]
Recommended Hikes in Harriman State Park
If you’re seeking to escape the urban bustle and find some forest bathing comfort in the woods, look no further than Harriman State Park. The second-largest state park in New York, Harriman offers visitors an assortment of outdoor adventures to choose from and lots of great hiking trails to explore. Whether you’re looking for […]
Federal Bill Gives a Boost to Climate and Conservation
On August 16, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law. This landmark legislation includes $369 billion in climate and energy investments, and it puts the U.S. on the path to become a global leader in reducing climate change. The Inflation Reduction Act includes funding and tax incentives for a number of important climate, […]
From Lodge to Hut: Hiking the Southern Presidentials with AMC
Experiencing the magnificence of the Southern Presidential Range in the White Mountains is unmatched—within a few miles of hiking, the trail brings you above the treeline to pristine views of rolling blue summits that attract millions of visitors each year. But what makes this experience one of a kind is the addition of staying […]
On the Trail Together: A Conversation with Rachel and Marshall Rowe
Since their first date hiking Mount Algonquin in the Adirondacks, Rachel and Marshall Rowe have spent the past 40 years trekking some of New England’s—and the world’s—most awe-inspiring trails. And as long-time members of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), the couple has experienced the best the organization has to offer. That’s why they launched this […]
Hiking With Dogs: How to Hike Safely and Considerately
This article has been adapted from Lisa Densmore Ballard’s original blog – Hiking with Dogs: A Guide to Bringing Your Best Friend on the Trail. Most dogs, regardless of size, make excellent hiking companions—if they are physically fit for the level of hiking that you plan to do, if they are obedient, if they are […]
Four Key Ties Between Conservation and Recreation
Getting into the outdoors promotes sustainable behavior The Appalachian Mountain Club’s mission is to foster the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the outdoors. But when it comes to conservation and recreation, we often get asked what one has to do with the other. Some ask why we support key conservation initiatives. Others still question why […]
The Best Medicine: A Conversation with Jason Straus, MD
Jason Strauss, MD, is Chair and Chief of Psychiatry at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Boston. As part of his medical practice, Dr. Strauss helps patients struggling with stress and anxiety. Here Dr. Strauss explains how getting outdoors can sometimes be the best medicine. May is mental health awareness month, and between lingering concerns […]
4 Ways Land Conservation Helps Fight Climate Change
The ambitious goal to protect 30 percent of the Earth’s lands and waters by 2030 comes with numerous benefits, most notably the resiliency against climate change. As a participant in this 30 by 30 initiative, the United States aims to safeguard its lands, waters, and wildlife habitats to promote biodiversity and provide more recreation […]
Three Season Hiking and Backpacking Gear List
All of us aspire to travel through the mountains unencumbered, but experienced backcountry travelers and outdoor professionals understand that you need to pack essential items to manage risks, be comfortable, and have fun while on the trails. To help you prepare for your next hiking or backpacking adventure, here’s a checklist of all the gear […]
Franconia Ridge Trail Loop Gets Boost In Federal Budget
$1.1 million appropriation will support needed trail repairs for one of the White Mountain’s busiest hiking destinations. BOSTON, MA, March 15 – The Franconia Ridge Trail Loop – an 11.4-mile trail that can see up to 1,000 hikers per day in peak season – will undergo much needed repair and realignment as the result of a […]
Trail Keepers: AMC’s Commitment to Resilient Footpaths in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
From Pennsylvania to the Canadian border, AMC develops, manages, and protects more than 1,800 miles of long-distance and regional trails, including trails easily accessible to urban and suburban populations. With your support, we work with countless land managers across ten states, support thousands of trails volunteers, and tackle everything from basic maintenance needs to […]