Appalachians

You can help protect one of the world's most beautiful and diverse habitats when you Adopt an Acre® today.

Marked by tall, wind-swept alpine peaks, cool, sparkling rivers and rugged shoreline, the Appalachians stretch 1,500 miles from Canada to Alabama. Here a multitude of endangered plants and wildlife — creatures such as the Indiana bat, the bog turtle and rare salamanders — make their last stand against extinction. Black bears, bobcats and moose still roam these vast, unbroken swaths of forest.

Part of the Atlantic Flyway, the Appalachians host tens of thousands of migrating birds. Unique cave and karst systems support globally important species while also recharging major eastern rivers that supply drinking water to millions of people.

Rapid Changes

Located near some of the nation's largest cities, the Appalachians face dramatic pressures from development, deforestation, energy development and invasive pests. By 2030, an estimated 44 million acres of private forests will be lost to development. The unprecedented sale of huge tracts of forest threatens the integrity of the region. In the 1990s alone, the U.S. lost a staggering 1 million acres of forest per year to development, making the protection of the Appalachians today more crucial than ever.

How The Nature Conservancy Works in the Appalachians

With a strong network of partners, The Nature Conservancy is working to conserve 1.7 million acres of public and private land. We are doing this in a variety of ways, such as:

• Acquiring land
• Restoring forested lands
• Establishing conservation easements
• Promoting sustainable forest management
• Combating invasive species

How Can You Help Save the Appalachians?

When you give today to the Adopt an Acre® program, you will help the Conservancy protect and restore one of the world's most extraordinary yet highly threatened regions. You can also call 1-800-84-ADOPT to donate.

With your $50 donation per acre to the Adopt an Acre® program, you will receive:

• Personalized certificate with signature photo of the Appalachians commemorating your generosity
• Colorful fact sheet about the Appalachians
• Adopt an Acre® U.S. magnet set
• Four issues of Nature Conservancy magazine to keep you informed all year about the many places the Conservancy is working to protect. (Plus, we'll rush the current magazine issue along with your personalized certificate!)
• An invitation to create a personalized nature homepage on nature.org
• Great Places E-Newsletter subscription filled with local and global conservation updates, enviro-tips you can use and stunning nature photography.

Best of all, you'll get the satisfaction of knowing you're helping to protect this extraordinary wild habitat now and for future generations. Please Adopt an Acre today!

Give Adopt an Acre as a Gift

You can also give Adopt an Acre® as a gift. Your friend or loved one will adore this one-of-a-kind nature gift and enjoy it throughout the year. View all the benefits your gift recipient will receive.