FAQ: Trail Work

Each trail has its own needs, which change from year to year. The volunteer trail managers each organize the types of work days that they feel they can lead effectively to meet their current goals. Sometimes, these are public work days open to all, and sometimes, the work requires smaller groups of experienced volunteers.

With highly variable weather and soil conditions, volunteer trail stewards often don't know until a few days in advance that they will be able to do their planned work. No one wants to publicize a work day and then have to cancel it, as it's very difficult to get notice to everyone who might show up.

Take a look at our three volunteer videos! They explain what to wear, what to bring, and what to expect. Here's the playlist on Youtube.

Only do trail work that the trail stewards have authorized you to do. Never modify trail features unless you have been authorized to do so. Unauthorized trail work is illegal, can cause trail damage, and is destructive to hundreds of hours of careful planning and work. If you think a trail needs work, please contact the trail steward.

200+ miles of trail means 400+ miles of trail trimming. We need more volunteers to trim trails! If you can run a trimmer or loppers in the summer, please let the stewards know when they make their annual calls for trimming volunteers. Every bit helps.

As an all-volunteer group without full-time staff, organizing administrative volunteers is one of our biggest challenges. If you can commit significant regular time to help with administrative tasks, or have a specific project in mind, please take the time to contact a board member, advisory board member, or trail steward, or send your specific proposal through our contact page. Volunteer leadership will want to get to know you and your skills and goals and to make sure that any support tasks are set up for success.