Tangled Roots: The Appalachian Trail and American Environmental Politics

Tangled Roots, narrated by environmental historian and thru-hiker Sarah Mittlefehldt, explores the creation and significance of the Appalachian Trail as a unique blend of public and private efforts, highlighting its role as a wilderness refuge and a model for community engagement and environmental stewardship. Originally a grassroots regional project, it evolved under federal leadership into a symbol of cooperation and protection, breaking down traditional boundaries between local and nonlocal, public and private. This compelling history offers an insightful look into the trail’s development and its ongoing legacy as an environmental success story.