Overview
The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is a non-profit organization focused on the stewardship of more than 2,150 miles of trails throughout southern New York and northern New Jersey. The Trail Conference Conservation Corps (TCCC) AmeriCorps Program fields seasonal crews that improve the trail experience for all users through education and outreach, trail construction, and invasive species control.
Since 1920, the Trail Conference has been committed to educating and assisting the public in the safe, enjoyable, and responsible use of trails. To advance these efforts, in 2013 we began deploying Trail Stewards at popular hiking destinations including Breakneck Ridge, the Appalachian Trail at Bear Mountain, and in the Catskill Forest Preserve.
Job Description
We are seeking 6 individuals who share our passion for conservation and the outdoors to join us in educating trail users on proper etiquette and safety, performing outreach to schools and at community events, and leading stewardship hikes.
Trail Outreach and Education Stewards provide helpful information about park regulations, hiker safety, preparedness, and other best practices, including Leave No Trace principles. In addition to readying hikers for their journeys, Stewards help discourage and mitigate misuse of the trails and the surrounding lands through their education and public relations and outreach work. They aim to plant the seed of responsibility—everyone who enjoys these trails has a role to play in caring for them—and work to cultivate volunteers who are motivated to give back.
Stewards will visit schools and youth camps to help educate the next generation of environmental stewards through workshops on Leave No Trace and other best practices. They may also assist with training workshops for Trail Conference staff and volunteers.
This is a service position through the Trail Conference Conservation Corps AmeriCorps Program. Work week is Thursday through Monday with Tuesdays and Wednesdays off.
