The New York State Recreation and Park Society recognized the Trail Conference and the Town of Yorktown on August 25 for work maintaining and protecting trails in the community. On behalf of the Trail Conference, longtime volunteers Jane and Walt Daniels accepted the Outstanding Corporate Partnership Award for the collaboration they have spearheaded on about 50 miles of trails
As the invasive insect spotted lanternfly (SLF) encroaches closer and closer to New York State forests and agriculture, New York state agencies have made finding and intercepting SLF before it can reach New York a priority. And now that the nearest infestation is only 25 miles from the border, early detection and elimination of SLF infestations
Over 100 years after the National Parks Service was founded, federal public lands will receive reviving funding focused on the care these outdoor spaces require. On Wednesday, July 22, the House passed the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) with a vote of 310-107 in favor. Now passed by Congress, the act is headed to the White House
The local outdoor community has shown its incredible perseverance and resiliency throughout the COVID-19 crisis. We checked in with a few of our favorite trailside businesses to see how they have been weathering the quarantine storm. Hudson North Cider Co. In February, Graft Cider launched a new cider brand with the focus of protecting Hudson Valley trails: Hudson North Cider Co. Their
2020 has reinforced how essential the outdoors are and how we are stronger and more resilient when we work together. Many things have changed over the past five months. It started with the recommendation to wash our hands more often, then suddenly we were encouraged to stay home. A new term called “social distancing” became the in-vogue
With enthusiastic new trail users now seeking more ways to be active and find peace in nature, our Steward program is in even higher demand than ever before. We have a responsibility to teach Leave No Trace principles to protect visitors and protect the land. Preparing novice hikers to responsibly enjoy the outdoors will be
No more boots will be lost in the mud at The Outlet at Terrace Pond thanks to a floating walkway and the efforts of volunteers. Terrace Pond, an area of great natural beauty, is a popular hiking destination in Wawayanda State Park. It draws people of all ages and experience levels to enjoy some of the finest scenery that
The Trail Conference welcomes Melissa, Tracy, and Kylie to our trail family. Tracy Arcella Tracy Arcella joined the Trail Conference staff in January as Field Trail Builder. Her love of nature and the outdoors began at an early age and led her to study biology at the College of William and Mary and the University of
With the increased use of outdoor recreational spaces and natural areas, stewardship of our public lands and wild places has become more important than ever. Despite recent hurdles to in-person field activities, the Trail Conference’s Ecological Stewardship team has made a remarkable push to share the value of caring for native habitats, as well as educate the public about ways
In 2019, Trail Conference volunteers and Corps members dedicated an incredible 102,952 hours of service to achieving our mission. They came together to build bridges, remove invasive species, assemble maps, and guide trail users—all to provide access to the beautiful lands that our original volunteers and founders strove to protect a century ago. While we
As the Trail Conference prepares to mark our centennial this October, we’re turning the spotlight on some of our longest-serving volunteers for reflections on their time with the organization. Estelle Anderson + Robert (Bob) Jonas Estelle’s roles: Bob’s roles: Local Trail Chair: CentralNorth Jersey; SawyerCommittee Chair; TrailSupervisor: Central NorthJersey Morristown Local Trail Chair: CentralNorth Jersey;
The eye-opening death of George Floyd has made so many organizations stand up and say, “Enough. We must change.” The Trail Conference was one of those voices. Our passive approach to diversity, equity, equality, and inclusion (DEEI) for the past 99 years has contributed to society’s acceptance of discrimination and racism. In January, the Trail
