The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Conservation Corps trains the next generation of environmental stewards to preserve the integrity of trails and natural areas and engage volunteers to inspire a deeper appreciation for the care that open space requires. Our AmeriCorps program is fielding three trail crews, two invasives crews, and two trail steward crews in 2020.
Volunteers are our superheroes. Every day, we celebrate their passion, dedication, and leadership that make the trails we all love possible. At the Trail Conference, our passion is creating great trail experiences. There’s a good chance your last hike, trail run, or ride was made possible by some of our 2,000-plus dedicated volunteers and the people who support them. Without
The Trail Conference offers a certificate and an end-to-end patch “rocker” to anyone who hikes the entire length of the Long Path. The trip can be completed in one continuous trip or in several hikes over many years. The following people became end-to-enders in 2019 and were acknowledged at our annual Volunteer Recognition event on Sunday,
Hudson North Cider Co., a mission-driven cidery, is set to launch in the Hudson Valley and NYC on March 1, 2020. Sibling duo, Kyle & Sara Sherrer, creators of Graft Cider, were eager to create something both approachable and unique to their home market. “We wanted to create high-quality, full-bodied, hazy, off-dry cider that would set
Sassquad held the first annual Squatchy Onesie Fest 5k-Marathon on Feb. 15, which featured 83 runners between the ages of 7 and 87 who donned their warmest pajamas to participate in the race. Proceeds from the event went to supporting the Trail Conference mission. For more trail running fun, visit sassquadtrailrunning.com or connect with Sassquad Trail Running on Facebook and Instagram.
Thank you, Gary, for your service and commitment to the Trail Conference! After 18 years of service, fulfillment specialist Gary Willick has left the Trail Conference. He started with the organization in 2002, after graduating from Ramapo College of New Jersey with a degree in computer science. Formerly an avid jazz drummer, he found his
The Hudson Nor’Westers, under the leadership of Crew Chief Dave Webber, just completed a wonderful project in Black Rock Forest: a reroute of the Scenic/Highlands Trail up and over the Mineral Springs Waterfall. In June 2019, Dave and four of the Trail Conference’s Trail Stewards did a reroute of the trail to swing over to the picturesque falls and
Dear Long Path, On January 27, I fell in love with you. I set out to trek all 358 miles of your urban, rugged, and wild beauty, not knowing exactly when or how I would complete you. I made it a priority, or so a NEED to wake up early on weekends, commit to the
Beaver activity and wet weather may have forced the Trail Tramps to build (and rebuild) new trails in Teatown, but a sustainable trail system now exists. When Daniel Chazin asked me to recount the work my Trail Tramps Crew had done on the “new” Three Lakes Loop trail in Teatown, I realized that much of the work we had done
The Trail Conference welcomes Olivia, Kathleen, Arden, Ryan, and Lenny to our trail family and wishes Michael the best of luck on his next adventure. Olivia Sohn, Volunteer Engagement Assistant Olivia Sohn spent her childhood exploring the trails of Norvin Green State Forest. Her love of the outdoors prompted her to earn a bachelor’s degree in biology
For 99 years, Trail Conference volunteers have been providing millions of trail users with a means to explore the outdoors. The culture of volunteerism at the Trail Conference has become the fabric of our organization. It is our legacy—a legacy that will continue into our second century. Our volunteers make us the vibrant and impactful nonprofit that
Whether you seek the solace of nature or crave adventure, your passions drive the path you choose. This October, the Trail Conference turns 100. While browsing through our archives in preparation for our Centennial, I came across our collection of newspaper columns by Raymond H. Torrey. One of the Trail Conference’s founders, Torrey, was editor
