Twenty one members of the committee met for over two hours on Sunday, January 13, 2002, at Ramapo College. (K. Beard, B. Cartica, S. Clemants, J and W. Daniels, E. Devito, J. & D. Ehrenfeld, E. Johnson, E. Karlin, A. Lebofsky, B. Masson, L. Newgard, A. Osborn, S. Parr, B. Richardson, L. Risley, B. Schuster, P. Brangs, G. Haugland, E. Goodell)

After introductions and a brief overview of the Trail Conference Mission by Ed Goodell, Committee Chair Joan Ehrenfeld used past meeting notes and references to outline the interface opportunities for the Science Committee to support the Conference. A draft statement of committee goals was circulated for discussion.

A series of lively discussions then ensued as participants brought their areas of competence and experience to bear on the variety of possible roles the committee could play to support the work of the Trail Conference. By the end of the meeting the committee unanimously accepted the Statement of Goals, with some minor modification: a grant-writing support role was defined and added, as was a specific role for supporting the publications effort with additional science content. The goals of the Science Committee are:

1. To help the TC assess and minimize the impact of hikers on the lands through which trails are found.
2. To help the TC establish guidelines for trail construction and maintenance within the framework of responsible land stewardship and current scientific knowledge.
3. To educate TC members and volunteers about these issues, and through our publications, reach a broader public audience.
4. To help the TC establish clear and responsive channels of communication between the Trail Conference and land management agencies and organizations regarding emerging environmental concerns, scientific information about the ecological health of the region, shifting regulatory requirements and public access issues.
5. To develop volunteer-centered activities to accomplish the preceding goals, including participation in research, data gathering, and educating trail crews and maintainers.
6. To help the TC in grant-writing efforts to accomplish the goals outlined above.

Several additional ideas, some not necessarily in the draft statement, were discussed. These included:

-- how science specialists could provide support for trail maintainer and supervisor training;

-- monitoring exotic/invasive species;

-- developing a brochure for all members on how to minimize individual environmental impacts on trails;

-- adding such impact info to maps;

-- developing a bookmark with impact information (Jane will chair a sub-committee toward that end);

-- emphasizing the role of education, Art mentioned the dissemination of relevant science information at NY/NJ State Science Teacher Meetings next fall;

-- Joan will chair a sub-committee that will develop a list of key issues and respective professionals who may be able to be "on-call" when issues arise;

-- the possibilities of college internships in science and in support of TC goals was discussed, and a sub-committee appointed to start this initiative;

-- Science Committee members could assist in the review of environmental impact statements. One was mentioned and a scientist volunteered to review it;

-- Ed will start a literature review toward the end of assessing and minimizing (optimizing) trail impact on environments, with others to add relevant works;

-- Ed mentioned preparing a proposal to foundations that would provide for hiring a staff position in science.

The committee completed its work by agreeing to stay in touch electronically, and formally meeting as a full committee again on May 15, 2002.

Respectfully submitted

Art Lebovsky
Joan Ehrenfeld