Blue Ridge Country July/August 2024 - 82

SANDRA MARRA:
Protecting a 2,220-Mile, 100-Year Gem
Sandra Marra is president and CEO of the nonprofit Appalachian Trail Conservancy, overseeing
the world's longest hiking-only footpath-the nearly 2,200-mile Appalachian National Scenic
Trail from Georgia to Maine.
INTERVIEW BY MARY LEIDIG | PHOTO COURTESY SANDRA MARRA
Tell us about life with your family
outside of work. What do you love to
do together?
My husband, Chris Brunton, and I
love hiking and volunteering on the
Appalachian Trail. In fact, we met
while on a trail work trip. We are
active in our Harpers Ferry, West
Virginia, community and spend lots
of time caring for our 177-year-old
home. I also love cooking and visiting
local farmers' markets.
You began this role as interim CEO.
Tell us about being a volunteer and
Conservancy board member and
where that led you. What do you like
best about this work?
One of my first experiences was in my
20s when my friend invited me to volunteer
at an Appalachian Trail work
trip at
the Blackburn Trail Center.
That ignited my passion for the trail
that was built and is cared for by dedicated
volunteers!
I spent many years volunteering for
both the local trail club and the ATC.
I also worked in human resources and
executive leadership, and started my
own consulting group. In 2019 I joined
ATC as president and CEO. To lead
the organization responsible for protecting
and caring for the trail is one of
my greatest honors!
You're a trailblazer. Tell us how.
Once during a job interview, I was
82 BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM
asked how my volunteer
work on the Appalachian
Trail was applicable
to the position.
After a pause, I said:
" It has taught me that
anything is achievable
if you stay steady and
put one foot in front of
the other. "
I think that perspective
rings true for
anyone who hikes part
or all the trail and for the thousands
of dedicated volunteers and ATC staff
who help maintain it and conserve the
critically important
Georgia to Maine.
landscape from
What has surprised you most in this
work?
I am awed at how many people volunteer
on the Appalachian Trail! We
don't talk enough about regular people
doing extraordinary things-most often
behind the scenes. I've also found
that my connection to the trail changed
my perspective on age. As long as you
keep moving, keep striving to make a
difference, you never get old.
What is your advice to someone who's
never hiked and is curious about the
Appalachian Trail?
For 100 years, the trail has provided a
respite from the modern world and a
place of community for adventurers,
seekers and wanderers.
You don't have
to be a thru-hiker or
seasoned backpacker
to experience the
trail's transformational
qualities. All you
need is a good pair of
sneakers and a check
of the weather forecast.
It's also relatively
easy to get to, with
hundreds
of
access
points within a few hours' drive of millions
of Americans.
Why is it called the " People's Trail, "
and how is this important to the ATC?
We call it the " People's Trail " because
it exists thanks to the sweat, passion
and determination of countless people
protecting and caring for it. We
are experiencing more severe weather
events like wildfires and severe storms.
These threaten hikers' safety and impact
trail conditions.
Also, with our increase in visitors,
we need to scale our efforts to create a
more resilient trail. People will always
be at the heart of the trail. By working
together and staying vigilant, we
can conserve the scenic, natural and
transformational characteristics of this
world-renowned experience. It is an
Appalachian Trail Conservancy priority
as we begin our second century in
2025 in service to the trail.

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Blue Ridge Country July/August 2024

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