When I first stepped onto the Appalachian Trail in 1987, I had no idea it would shape my life’s work and it would lead me across the country to help build one of our nation’s strongest models of shared stewardship along the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT). 

The CDT is more than a trail. It connects landscapes, cultures, and communities whose stories stretch back to time immemorial. It is the source of water for more than 80 million people and a living reminder that, every drop of water that emerges from this place, will eventually make its way back home. And in a way, it then connects all of us and brings us all home.  So whether or not our DNA originates here, your DNA is shaped by this place. 

Once the Divide touches you, you become part of its history—and part of its future.

Since 2012, CDTC has worked to ensure that this globally significant spine of our continent remains protected and accessible for all who seek connection to the past, present, and future. And we want to make sure that it continues to ignite passion and love for the breathtaking landscapes of the Divide while uniting people from all cultures, communities, and experiences. That vision is the heart of everything we do. At the center of this effort is love—love for each other, for the communities along the Trail, and for the land and waters that sustain us.

And we cannot do it without you.

As we close out the year, I humbly ask you to support this work and our incredible team that carries it forward every day. I will personally match all contributions up to at least $1,000. Whether you can give $5 or $500, every gift helps protect the Continental Divide and ensures its gifts continue to be shared for generations.

Thank you for being part of this legacy worth fighting for.

The Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Our mission is to create a community committed to completing, protecting, and elevating the CDT. Learn more at www.cdtcoalition.org.

The Continental Divide Trail Coalition is dedicated to completing and protecting the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail while engaging in and inspiring stewardship of the trail and its surrounding landscapes.

Your gift helps keep the CDT protected, wild, and connected — for trail enthusiasts, wildlife, and the next generation of people who live in and love the Continental Divide landscapes.