Jeff Ryan
Jeff Ryan is the author of This Land Was Made For You and Me (2022) on the Wilderness Society and the Wilderness Act of 1964. He is also the author of Blazing Ahead: Benton MacKaye, Myron Avery, and the Rivalry That Built the Appalachian Trail (2017), Appalachian Odyssey: A 28-Year Hike on America’s Trail (2016) that chronicles his section-hike of the Appalachian Trail.
Feb. 27, 2024
Becoming a National Park
Benton MacKaye wanted to be sure that anyone who chose to spend a few hours, a few days, or a few weeks on the trail would have the opportunity to really get away from civilization. However, most of the lands MacKaye hoped t…
Nov. 17, 2021
Changemakers
Explore the story of three changemakers who combined led, and continue to lead, the trail through its 100 years of history.
Oct. 6, 2021
Founding the Trail
Benton MacKaye dreamed up the Appalachian Trail, and Myron Avery turned that dream into a 2,000-mile trail. Their competing visions of what kind of trail the AT should be continue to be at the heart of discussions about the …