Is it possible that the nose of a dog can mean the difference between a healthy forest and a failing ecosystem? The Trail Conference believes so. The spotted lanternfly (SLF) is hopping closer and closer to the Hudson Valley and northern New Jersey, and you need to be aware of the threat it poses to
Is it possible that the nose of a dog can mean the difference between a healthy forest and a failing ecosystem? The Trail Conference believes so. Our Conservation Dogs Program—the first of its kind in the Northeast—is already exceeding expectations in its first season. Dia, our Labrador retriever, started her invasive-specific training in November 2018 by
Michael Levine of Ramsey Outdoor presented Trail Conference Development Director Don Weise with a check for $600 raised during the outdoor retailer’s Pint Night on Nov. 14. Seventy-five outdoor lovers came out to the store in Succasunna, N.J., to listen to Don’s talk, “Great Trails Off The Beaten Path,” and to swap their trail tales. Thanks to
JORBA’s Ringwood Trail Crew completed relocation and improvement of the multi-use Crossover Trail in Ringwood State Park in September 2019. The project was over 6 years in the making. The final section was the last of at least nine sections that were either realigned or improved. The new route eliminates the steepest, wettest, and most unpleasant part of the
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Conservation Corps Stewards will be working to protect the sensitive ecosystems along the riverbanks of the Croton Gorge Unique Area in the Town of Cortlandt, N.Y., this coming season. Since 2013, Trail Conference Stewards have been educating trail users on the responsible use of parks and trails at the region’s most popular outdoor destinations. Stewards
After 69 years of service, Bob Ward retired from his volunteer role as our Queens Rockaways Trail Supervisor on Nov. 1. Bob also resigned from his chairmanship of the Queens Trails Council on Oct. 23. The Queens Borough Commissioner of Parks presented Bob with the new sign that will be placed on the Bayswater Trail
This year, the Trail Conference’s Trail Steward Program became part of the Conservation Corps. Serving five days a week for six months, Stewards are able to perform more duties than in previous seasons, when they were on trails only on weekends. In addition to assisting and educating trail users on Saturdays and Sundays, Trail Stewards are available to
Joshua Howard has been named Executive Director of the Trail Conference. An 18-year member of the staff, he assumed a co-leadership role as Chief Operating Officer in March, serving alongside Chief Financial Officer Mary Perro. Since then, Josh has been responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Trail Conference, with Mary responsible for all financial
Graffiti and litter are often cited as some of the biggest issues resulting from the popularity of Breakneck Ridge. In an attempt to mitigate the problem, Volunteer Trail Steward Andre Nizarri not only teaches visitors about Leave No Trace principles; he also works to remedy the damage by picking up trash and removing graffiti (above) when on duty. Find out
On Oct. 19, the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference turned 99 years old. That’s nearly a century of service in the greater New York metropolitan area, ensuring open space is protected and people have access to the outdoors via safe, well-maintained trails. Though the landscape where we serve looks very different from what it was
How is the Trail Conference celebrating turning 99 years old? By thanking YOU! When New York State began developing parks such as Harriman and Bear Mountain in the 1920s, passionate hikers seized the opportunity to lend their expertise to develop marked trail systems, opening the outdoors to the general public. They felt a responsibility to care
The Nominating Committee of the Trail Conference presents the following candidates for the Board of Directors for three-year terms and At-Large Voting Members for one-year terms. These nominations will be voted on at the Annual Meeting to be held on Sunday, Nov. 17, at Trail Conference Headquarters (600 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, N.J.). David Felsenthal David has been a
