Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail’s mission is to bring together communities and volunteers to build, maintain, and advocate for an enduring footpath connecting North Carolina’s natural, historic, and cultural treasures and to ensure that all people feel welcome on the trail.
Trail Building and Maintenance
Hundreds of volunteers build and maintain trail across the state.
Helping People Enjoy the Trail
We spread the word to people who love trails and North Carolina and help them find ways to use, care for and extend the trail. We are the primary source of information about how to hike the trail through this website and printed trail guides.
Improving the Trail Route
We work to improve the hiking experience – identifying and opening campsites, providing interesting routes on quiet backroads to connect sections of completed trail, recruiting “trail angels” who can help thru-hikers on their statewide treks. We work with State Parks, local governments and nonprofit land trusts to help them acquire more land to build new sections of trail.
Advocacy
We help elected officials – local, state and federal – understand the value of the trail for recreation, quality of life, the economy and environment. We explain how our governments can help make it happen.
Fundraising
We encourage individuals and businesses to contribute financially to support the trail.
Join us to build and care for the trail.
Executive Director
Brent Laurenz
blaurenz@mountainstoseatrail.org
Associate Director
Betsy Brown
bbrown@mountainstoseatrail.org
Trail Resource Manager
Jim Grode
jgrode@mountainstoseatrail.org
Operations Manager
Elizabeth Hipps
ehipps@mountainstoseatrail.org
Membership and Engagement Coordinator
Sherri Seagroves
sseagroves@mountainstoseatrail.org
Coastal Crescent Project Manager
Ben Jones
bjones@mountainstoseatrail.org
President
Marcia Bromberg, Asheville • email
Vice President
Heather Cotton, Black Mountain • email
Secretary
Angela Lee, Chapel Hill • email
Treasurer
Lynne Bresler, Chapel Hill • email
Karl Anderson, Greensboro • email
Jerry Barker, Raleigh • email
Carl deAndrade, White Lake, email
Bob Dillard, Southport • email
Susan Hester, Chapel Hill • email
Larry Humbert, Belmont • email
Randy Johnson, Banner Elk • email
Tammy Kelly, Louisburg • email
Les Love, Weaverville • email
Mike Parker, Cherokee • email
Tammy Proctor, Hampstead • email
Beverly Scarlett, Hillsborough • email
- 2021 Annual Report
- 2020 Annual Report
- 2019 Annual Report
- 2018 Annual Report
- 2017 Annual Report
- 2017 State of the Trail
- 2016 Annual Report
- 2015 Annual Report
- 2014 Annual Report
- 2013 Annual Report
- 2012 Annual Report
- 2011 Annual Report
- 2010 Annual Report
- 2009 Annual Report
- 2008 Annual Report
- 2007 Annual Report
- 2006 Annual Report
Allen de Hart, Founder of Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, 1926-2016 | Photo courtesy of Les Love
