by Lindsay Yoder, Program Assistant

The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is comprised of member organizations and individuals dedicated to providing recreational hiking opportunities in the region, and representing the interests and concerns of the hiking community. The Trail Conference is a volunteer-directed not-for-profit service organization committed to:

• Developing, building, and maintaining over 2,000 miles of trails

• Protecting hiking trail lands through support and advocacy

• Educating the public in the responsible use of trails and

the natural environment Whether you’re looking to retreat from the city for a day or a week, the Trail Conference has plenty of opportunities for you to give back to the trails while breathing in the fresh air.

Trail Love: One Day Getaway

If you’ve only got a day to spare, it’s a tough sell to make the hours-long trip into the deep woods. Why not keep it close to home and volunteer with a trail crew accessible by train? Join us for Trail Love Days at Breakneck Ridge and you’ll be rewarded with snacks, a volunteer T-shirt, and the knowledge that you’ve helped preserve a trail for future generations. Take Metro North to the Breakneck Ridge Station and you’ll land right at the trailhead, no car necessary. It’s that simple!

Saturday, September 16th

Saturday, September 17th

Can’t make it for Trail Love Day? This AmeriCorps Conservation Corps Crew will be hard at work every Thursday-Monday through October 30th, so there are plenty of opportunities for you to get out there and have some fun on the trail with us!

Cleaning Up the Catskills

If you’re looking to get a little further from the city, trek up to the Catskills and help us clean the beloved

Blue Hole. Designated as a 2017 Hot Spot by Leave No Trace, the Trail Conference has partnered with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to bring in volunteers to help us clean and restore this special spot from overuse and disrespect. Join us on Friday, September 15th and Saturday, September 30th.

Want to stay a little longer? Consider becoming a Trail Maintainer with us! If you’re planning on vacationing in the Catskills anyway, why not use some of that time in nature taking care of the trails? To see if it’s right for you, you can attend a Trail Maintenance work trip a little closer to home on September 30th in the Neversink Gorge.

For more information visit www.nynjtc.org/volunteer or email the Volunteer Coordinator, Lindsay Yoder at [email protected].