Reconsidering the Politics of Nature and Community on the Applachian Trail

This thesis explores the potential for communities to become involved in efforts to develop ecologically sustainable societies. As the concept of community is often ill defined, this thesis explores traditional and interest-based ideas of community, and develops a conceptualization of a work-based community. The history and development of the Appalachian Trail is reviewed as an example of how private citizens can reshape unbuilt environments through physical work and dedication to a common goal. Through the work of maintaining a 2,100-mile hiking trail, trail managers come to share common experiences and goals, as well as developing relationships with people and places that make it possible to recognize these maintainers as a work-based community. The A.T. management community exemplifies the potential for communities to have substantive in efforts to develop more ecologically sustainable and socially equitable ways for humans to live, work, and play in built and unbuilt environments.