Appalachia’s gateway communities — towns bordering on publicly owned lands, like national and state parks and forests — often find themselves caught between promotion and preservation. Promoting nature and culture is key for economic growth, especially for areas experiencing economic distress and transition. Too much use, however, impacts the preservation needed to maintain trails, waterways, crafting traditions, and more for future generations.

To help communities develop thoughtful strategies around some of Appalachia’s most treasured assets,  The Conservation Fund launched the Appalachian Gateway Communities Initiative (AGCI) in 2007 with support from ARC and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The following communities were selected:

Chattooga County, GA

Watauga County / Boone and Blowing Rock, NC

Allegany Region/Southern Tier, NY

Polk County, NC and Landrum, SC

Ocoee and Greasy Creek in Polk County, TN

Fayetteville / Fayette County, WV

Lewis & Upshur Counties, WV

New River Gorge Region, WV

To date, AGCI has supported 12 regional and place-based workshops, issued 46 grants, and engaged teams representing 51 counties across 12 Appalachian states.