Links

The Earl Shaffer Foundation is part of a wonderful community of organizations that advocates for conservation of the environment, particularly along the Appalachian Trail, and celebrates the legacy and culture of long-distance hiking. ​

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Organizations we support:​

• Appalachian Trail Conservancy - the organization responsible for management of the AT​

• Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association (ALDHA) - ​a grassroots organization of AT hikers​​

• Appalachian Trail Museum - an organization devoted to archiving and presenting the history of the AT

• American Hiking Society - a national organization dedicated to serving hikers and protecting hiking trails

• Benton MacKaye Trail Association - a 290-mile southern trail named for the founder of the Appalachian Trail

• Florida Trail Association - a non-profit hiking group building and maintaining the 1400-mile long Florida National Scenic Trail

• Georgia Pinhoti Trail Association - the trail which will eventually connect the Alabama Pinhoti Trail to the Appalachian Trail via the Benton MacKaye Trail

• International Appalachian Trail - Considered by Earl to be a side trail of the AT, it extends the footpath north from Katahdin in Maine to Cap Gaspe, Quebec and north of the St. Lawrence to Belle Isle in Newfoundland

• National Park Service - charged with the trust of preserving the natural resources of America, and a partner of the ATC

• North Country Trail Association - a grassroots organization building a 4600 mile long hiking trail from New York to North Dakota

• The Wilderness Society - protecting America's Wilderness since 1935 through the potent combination of science, advocacy, and education

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Organizations that Earl was involved in during his life:​

• Appalachian Mountain Club - the oldest outdoor group in the United States

• Conservation Society of York County - maintenance of the over 4000 acres of York County Parks

• Keystone Trails Association - the statewide voice of Pennsylvania's hikers

• Pennsylvania State University Forestry School - a program of practical education which Earl supported

• Potomac Appalachian Trail Club - a volunteer organization maintaining trails in the Washington D.C. area, founded in 1927

• Salvation Army - one of Earl's favorite charities

• Sierra Club - American environmental organization founded in 1892 by John Muir

• Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club - a volunteer organization maintaining a section of the AT in Pennsylvania, including 20 miles of trail and the Peters Mountain shelter

• York Audubon Society - conservation and education-minded society based in York, Pennsylvania

• York Hiking Club - formed in 1932 by a group of hiking and outdoor enthusiasts, the club maintains a section of the Appalachian Trail

 

Events the ESF often participates in:

• The Gathering - a large and exciting celebration of backpacking held by ALDHA each Columbus Day weekend

• Northern Ruck (formerly PA Ruck) - spirited annual gathering of hikers and ALDHA members held in late January

• Southern Ruck - hikers get together on MLK weekend each year 

• Trail Days - annual event in May celebrating hikers in Damascus, Virginia, "The Friendliest Town on the Trail"

• Trail Fest - annual celebration in Hot Springs, North Carolina each April

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Community writings and projects that highlight Earl's work:​

• Katahdin Art Project - a beautiful way to support the Appalachian Trail

• "The Crazy One" - former thru-hiker Sloetoe's eloquent remembrance of Earl

 

Online communities by long-distance hikers of the AT and other trails:

• Backcountry - gateway to forums on many of America's National Scenic Trails

• Outdoors Generations - general guides to backpacking, Nordic walking, and camping

• Trail Forums - lively online discussions about backpacking

• Trail Journals - chronicles the adventures of more than a thousand hikers on the AT and other trails

• The Trek - a collection of forums, articles, and tips for hikers of long-distance trails in the U.S.

• White Blaze - a community of Appalachian Trail enthusiasts