The heart of the Trail Conference has not changed, but our updated mission-vision statement better addresses the contemporary challenges and opportunities we face. When the Trail Conference was founded in 1920, its purpose was to develop a system of marked trails and shelters so that parklands could be better enjoyed by the public. As the
While trails can take you to some breathtakingly beautiful places, it’s no secret that they have their fair share of ugly problems, too. Many of us have been out at one point or another and stumbled across an illegal dump site, trailhead vandalism, or a pack of off-road vehicle users tearing up the trail on
The Trail Conference has a long history of building, maintaining, and protecting hundreds of miles of trails throughout the Ramapo Mountains. These mountains—a forested chain of the Appalachians in northeastern New Jersey and southeastern New York—serve the millions of outdoor enthusiasts throughout the greater New York metropolitan region. Residents and visitors alike come to experience
The Trail Conference has a long history of building, maintaining, and protecting hundreds of miles of trails throughout the Ramapo Mountains. These mountains—a forested chain of the Appalachians in northeastern New Jersey and southeastern New York—serve the millions of outdoor enthusiasts throughout the greater New York metropolitan region. Local residents and visitors alike come to
Whenever I have friends from college visit me here in Bergen County, the first place I take them is the “Res.” As they cross the bridge at the entrance and look out over Scarlet Oak Pond, their eyes expand as they drink it all in. I play along with their excitement, knowing that they’ve only scratched
With native wildflowers in bloom, Trail Conference Headquarters is buzzing with life. Much like the landscape invites in wildlife and pollinators, the Trail Conference welcomes nature enthusiasts to enjoy the beautiful landscape and learn about the benefits of planting native species. This native landscape was designed by landscape architect Rich Pillar and is maintained by
The Trail Conference’s Invasives Strike Force (ISF) Conservation Corps is at it again for their 2017 season! Knocking back over 80,000 invasive plants before the halfway point of the season, the crew has been travelling all over the Lower Hudson Valley targeting emerging invasive species that threaten our native ecosystems. Some of the project
As I have come to learn quite well as a member of the Trail Conference Conservation Corps, building hiking trails can be challenging. Trail design and layout require extensive navigational skills and a keen eye. Sidehilling is no easy task. Cutting through dirt, rock, and roots all day can be a drain physically and mentally. Constructing
Appalachian Trail volunteer Moe Lemire is currently hiking the section of the A.T. he oversees and is sharing a little trail magic along the way. On July 21, Moe, Orange and Rockland Appalachian Trail Chair, began his hike from the New Jersey-New York border to the east side of the Hudson River. His goal is to interact with
Alongside our partners in the New Jersey Keep It Green Coalition, the Trail Conference never stops working to protect and promote open space in the Garden State. Open Space Funding Secured Land conservation and stewardship efforts in New Jersey saw an infusion of green this spring, when $59.5 million in Green Acres funding was finally appropriated by
Greater Blairstown in the Delaware Water Gap area of New Jersey officially received the designation of Appalachian Trail Community on April 22. The Trail Conference welcomes Greater Blairstown as the first Appalachian Trail Community in New Jersey. Trail Communities promote and protect the Appalachian Trail and act as good friends and neighbors to the Trail, welcoming thru-hikers as
The 2017 MRCC/Trail Conference 5K Run & 3K Walk featured record attendance, a scenic course, and fundraising for the local community. A five-year-old boy and a 90-year-old woman were among the record 330 runners and walkers to cross the finish line at this year’s MRCC/Trail Conference 5K Run and 3K Walk on May 21. Starting and
