Our mission is to establish the Appalachian Trail MEGA-Transect to monitor and understand changes in the environment so that we can effectively manage natural resources, foster an appreciation for nature and conservation, and "tell the story" of the health of the Appalachian Trail and surrounding lands to visitors, neighbors, and the American public.

Appalachian Trail MEGA-Transect Goals:

1. Monitor - Collect and synthesize existing and new data on key indicators of environmental health from agencies, organizations, researchers, and citizen scientists


2. Understand - Transform data into knowledge about the status and trends through analysis, synthesis, and modeling, and


3. Inform and Engage - Share this knowledge by engaging, educating, and involving decision makers, stakeholder organizations, and citizens in managing and protecting the A.T. environment to attain the goals of existing natural resource and environmental legislation and make sound decisions for positive change.

The AT MEGA-Transect Partners will develop programs and projects that work toward meeting these goals.

MEGA-Transect Programs and Projects Objectives:

1. Adaptive Management and Science
   Collecting and synthesizing information about environmental conditions and visitor experience on the Appalachian Trail will enable the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Appalachian Trail Park Office, and other trail management partners to manage visitor use effectively and protect the Appalachian Trail's wealth of natural resources.


2. Public Policy and Action
   Issues such as air and water quality impact the health of all individuals, as well as the integrity of our landscapes and ecosystems. Solutions for many of these issues lie in the arena of public policy.
   
   By assembling a coherent data set at a continental scale, Appalachian Trail management partners can better gauge the impact of public policies on the A.T.
   
   By sharing data with partners that can reach out to different constituencies, trail management partners can ensure that good scientific information is provided to government agencies, other organizations, and the American public in a way that can contribute positively to public dialogue about the environment.
   


3. Public Engagement and Education
   By involving citizens in monitoring programs for this public resource and by "telling the story" of the health of the Appalachian Mountains, the program Partners will engage citizens in the protection of the environment of the Appalachian Trail, capture the imagination of the public, and ultimately raise environmental awareness.