The Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition (SAFC) is a regional nonprofit organization whose mission is to protect and restore the wildlands, waters, native forests and ecosystems of the Southern Appalachian landscape. Our coalition is comprised of 21 conservation groups spanning the six states of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Guided by our publication, Return the Great Forest: A Conservation Vision for the Southern Appalachian Region, we work together to protect and restore a unified regional network of forests across the Southeast. We seek greater representation in Washington DC, while also strengthening grassroots groups at the local level with the tools and leadership needed to protect YOUR forests.
It took 500 years to fragment the Great Forest of the east. It will take a new era and a new vision to make it whole again. Our trail partners are crucial component for realizing this long term vision – a future where the landscape serves and sustains all communities, sustaining healthy populations of native species and supplying clean water and clean air while fulfilling the values of backcountry recreation and renewal.
We support conservation efforts at the national, regional, state and local levels that protect and restore our National Forests and connect the public to these treasures. Regional coordination, collaboration and communication between a varied collection of groups (and individuals) are the keys for achieving the Conservation Vision.
For individual members and the general public interested in the Southern Appalachian forests, we offer guided hikes in Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee. Our hikes, offered mostly in the spring, summer and fall, are lead by expert botanists, ecologists, old growth experts and local hikers. Our hikes inspire a greater appreciation of our forests and the work we do to protect them. In addition, our TN and VA Field Organizers offer outings/overnight backpacking trips into our treasured public forests and Wilderness Study Areas. We have reinforced our commitment to trail stewardship, our connection to the Carolina Mountain Club and the hiking community at large, by adopting a section of the Mountains to Sea Trail. SAFC also partners with other trail groups and helps to maintain trails in other states in our beautiful region.
If you are interested in learning more about SAFC's work, hiking opportunities, becoming an E-Activist or making a donation, please check out our website: www.safc.org, email us at safc@safc.org, or call us at 828.252.9223.