About The Trail Conference
We empower volunteers to build, maintain, and protect the public trails and scenic landscapes of the NY-NJ region
Trail Conference Mission and Vision:
The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is a volunteer-powered organization that builds, maintains, and protects public trails. Together with our partners, we strive to ensure that the trails and natural areas we share are sustainable and accessible for all to enjoy for generations to come.
Trail Conference Values:
- The joys of nature belong to everyone. All people—regardless of age, ability, or location—should be able to experience the rewards of connecting with nature. Volunteers are our superheroes. Creating and protecting trails is a labor of love. We celebrate our volunteers—their passion, dedication, and leadership make the trails we all love possible.
- Environmental conservation is a shared duty. We must preserve the integrity of our natural world—not only to sustain our trail systems, but to ensure future generations can enjoy the outdoor experiences a healthy planet has to offer.
- The right path is always a responsible one. We take land stewardship seriously and approach every decision—whether we’re out in the field or in our headquarters—with balanced judgment and firm conscience.
- Respect is essential to success. We exercise the same courtesy we advocate for on the trail in all of our partnerships, and we strive to be a trusted source of information and expertise for the trail community.
- Sustainability is fundamental to a healthy organization. We will generate and raise an appropriate level of awareness and income to support the needs of the organization.
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