The ATA

About Us

The Arizona Trail Association (ATA) is the nonprofit organization whose mission is to protect, maintain, enhance, promote and sustain the Arizona Trail as a unique encounter with the natural environment. By participating as a member, donor and volunteer, you support our mission and help ensure the Arizona Trail will be here for future generations to enjoy.

Since 1994, the ATA has trained and coordinated tens of thousands of volunteers to help build and maintain the Arizona Trail. The ATA’s primary focus is on protecting and maintaining the trail, and we have a number of outreach programs to engage community members in the Arizona Trail experience. This includes the ATA’s Gateway Community Program and Seeds of Stewardship Program.

The ATA’s programs and activities are funded by individual members and donors, Business Partners and Legacy Partners. Federal grants, special fundraising events and retail sales also help support the organization.

News about the ATA and the Arizona Trail is distributed through a biweekly eNews, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and this website. We collect and archive media coverage of the Arizona Trail through our In the News page.

Volunteers remain the core of our organization and you are invited for a trail work event, public outreach opportunity, special event, and many other exciting opportunities throughout the year. To learn more, please visit the Volunteer page.

The ATA employs a small staff, most of whom work part-time or volunteer their talents to support various programs and operations that sustain the organization:

Matthew Nelson, Executive Director – email
Shawn Redfield, Director of Trail Operations – email
Zachary MacDonald, Trail Director – email
Brittany Chavez, Development Director – email
Wendy Lotze, Volunteer Program Manager – email
Karrie Kressler, Administrative Director – email
Donovan Caputo, Administrative Assistant – email
Treven Hooker, Youth Outreach & Education Coordinator (Southern Arizona) – email
Clay Showalter, Youth Outreach & Education Coordinator (Northern Arizona) – email
Makenzie Mabery, Gear Girls Coordinator (Northern Arizona) – email
Michael “Chappy” Chappell, Veteran Outreach Coordinator – email
Rosi Green, Trail Technician – email
Shannon Villegas, Graphic Design & Marketing Director – email
Aaron Seifert, GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Director – email
Chelsey Tellez, Wildlife Monitoring Coordinator – email
Tasha Pontifex – Field Coordinator (Southern Arizona) – email
Olivia Woods – Field Coordinator (Northern Arizona) – email