About The Trail Conference
Empowering Volunteers to Build, Maintain, and Protect the Public Trails and Natural Areas of the NY-NJ Region
Our Values
- Sustaining Our Mission: We are committed to raising awareness and securing resources to support our organization’s long-term impact.
- Nature for Everyone: Everyone, regardless of age, ability, or location, deserves the opportunity to connect with nature.
- A Collective Commitment to Conservation: Preserving our natural world is essential to maintaining trails and ensuring a healthy planet for future generations.
- Honoring Volunteers: We celebrate the passion and leadership of our volunteers, whose dedication is vital to maintaining the trails we love.
- Respect and Courtesy: We value respectful partnerships and strive to be a trusted source of information within the trail community.
- Responsible Stewardship: We make decisions with thoughtful judgment and a strong sense of responsibility.
What We Do
Build and Maintain Public Trails: The Trail Conference partners with thousands of volunteers and organizations to build and maintain a network of over 2,150 miles of public trails.
Advocacy, Conservation, and Stewardship: We lead efforts to protect open spaces, acquire new public lands, monitor invasive species, and educate the public about conservation.
Publishing Maps and Guides: We produce high-quality maps, guidebooks, and digital tools to help outdoor enthusiasts navigate and explore public trails with confidence.
Who We Are
Our Board of Directors: Providing strategic guidance and oversight to advance our mission.
Our Volunteer Leaders: Managing trail projects and community engagement efforts.
Our Team & Leadership: Dedicated staff members ensure the success of our programs.
Our Historic Headquarters
For over a century, the Darlington Schoolhouse has stood as a symbol of education, community, and conservation. Originally built in 1891 as a one-room schoolhouse, it has been carefully restored and now serves as the headquarters of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference.
- A Historic Landmark – Listed on the New Jersey & National Registers of Historic Places
- A Conservation Hub – A center for trail stewardship, sustainability, and education
- A Gateway to the Outdoors – Steps away from Ramapo Valley County Reservation
Transparency & Accountability
The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to building, maintaining, and protecting public trails. With a volunteer-powered network, we collaborate with partners to ensure that trails and natural areas are sustainable and accessible for all to enjoy for future generations. We are committed to financial transparency, as demonstrated by our publicly available reports.
Join
Become a member and protect wild places
Shop
Maps, gear & books, all proceeds support trails
Volunteer
Give back by helping maintain the trails
Donate
Keep trails open and safe with a one-time gift