Conservation Corps Trail Crews

Mission

The Trail Conference Conservation Corps’s Trail Crews, funded through diverse grants and donors as well as contracts with government agencies, build, renovate, and repair trails in northern New Jersey and New York’s Hudson Valley. They support the Trail Conference’s overall mission by using high standards and best practices to create trails that are not only safe, enjoyable, and accessible, but also durable and sustainable over the long-term. 

What We Do

Building Trails

From May through October, our crews of AmeriCorps members serve at least 900 hours creating and renovating primitive recreational trails for the public. Trained and overseen by professional trail builders, projects they undertake include constructing new trails, rerouting sections away from eroded, muddy, or other unsuitable routes, and building trail structures with native stone. The result is trails that cause less human impact on the landscape, require less maintenance, and serve users better overall. 

Engaging the Public

Conservation Corps Trail Crews welcome volunteers to join them on weekend workdays throughout their season. Supplied with personal protective equipment (PPE) and given any necessary training and direction by crewmembers, volunteers have a huge positive impact on these large, ambitious projects. They learn why and how we design and build trails, and develop skills encouraging them to become more involved with the Trail Conference in the future. 

Another way AmeriCorps trail crews cultivate the Trail Conference’s volunteer base is via trail building skills workshops. Hosted at the project site or via zoom webinars, these systematic, teaching-focused events allow attendees to develop introductory and advanced skills used by our crews. Explore our events calendar for upcoming workshops or our Online Learning Library to watch webinar recordings.

Cultivating Tomorrow's Conservation Leaders

Conservation Corps Trail Crews offer members a natural place to begin or advance their careers in conservation or outdoor recreation management. With no degrees or advanced skills required to join, our program teaches vocational hard skills in trail building, associated trail management, and conservation principles, as well as soft skills such as teamwork, communication, project management, teaching, and working with volunteers that are necessary for any career.  Apply today to join a Conservation Corps Trail Crew.

Where We Work/Our Crews