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 so all people can find joy and inspiration on the MST 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 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
Heather Cotton, Black Mountain
Vice President
Larry Humbert, Belmont
Secretary
Marcia Bromberg, Asheville
Treasurer
Karl Anderson, Greensboro
Jerry Barker, Raleigh
Lynne Bresler, Chapel Hill
Shrease Johnson Brown, Mebane
Carl deAndrade, White Lake
Bob Dillard, Southport
Randy Johnson, Banner Elk
Tammy Kelly, Louisburg
Angela Lee, Chapel Hill
Les Love, Weaverville
Sharon McCarthy, Charlotte
Mike Parker, Cherokee
Dwayne Patterson, Garner
Beverly Scarlett, Hillsborough
- 2022 Annual Report
- 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