Meet Taran Branscum: Building Trails, Building Community
The Cumberland Trail Conservancy is excited to welcome Taran Branscum to the team as our new Volunteer Coordinator and Trail Crew Member!
In this unique dual role, Taran will help build and maintain the Cumberland Trail alongside our trail crew while also leading our volunteer program, connecting new and returning volunteers to meaningful stewardship opportunities across the trail.
Originally from East Ridge, Tennessee, Taran brings extensive trail-building experience to the Conservancy through his work with Southeast Conservation Corps, where he spent years helping construct and maintain trails and public lands throughout the region. Through that work, he gained firsthand knowledge of the planning, teamwork, and craftsmanship required to turn a trail corridor into a lasting outdoor resource.
“The work that it takes to build a trail is tremendous, from the office work to the actual digging,” Taran says. “I’ve experienced this firsthand being on several crews throughout my career. My passion for trails, hiking, trail running, backpacking, and all things outdoors started in school. Trail work became my happy place, and I fell in love with the entire process.”
Now, Taran is bringing that passion and experience to the Cumberland Trail Conservancy.
“I want to provide passionate work and create a community with resources to help build, maintain, and create opportunities on a trail we all love and recreate on,” he says.
As Volunteer Coordinator, Taran will lead the volunteer events featured on the Cumberland Trail Conservancy calendar, helping participants learn trail-building techniques while making a tangible impact on the trail. Whether you’re a longtime volunteer or joining your first workday, Taran is eager to share his knowledge and help others connect with the trail.
One of the aspects of the role that excites him most is introducing people to the trail-building process and showing them the impact volunteer efforts can have.
“The trail-building process is appealing to me. It’s methodical, and once you get started, you get hooked. Not only am I looking forward to working on the trail and creating new miles with the crew, I’m excited to coordinate volunteer events, introduce others to the trail, explain what the Cumberland Trail Conservancy is all about, and show why maintaining the trail is so important.”
When he’s not on the trail, Taran enjoys spending time with his wife and animals, planning his next outdoor adventure, trail running, backpacking, and biking.
And if you need a conversation starter at your next volunteer event, ask him about sour candy. Taran recently polished off an entire bag of extremely sour candy in just a few minutes, making it one of his favorite guilty pleasures.
We’re thrilled to have Taran join the Cumberland Trail Conservancy team and especially excited to have volunteer events back on the calendar. His experience with Southeast Conservation Corps, passion for trail building, and enthusiasm for engaging volunteers make him a perfect fit for this role.
Please join us in welcoming Taran to the Cumberland Trail Conservancy team. We hope you’ll meet him at an upcoming volunteer event soon!
