(STOCKBRIDGE, Mass.) – While the official date of National Trails Day (NTD) is on June 4 this year, The Trustees of Reservations, the nation’s oldest statewide land trust, have events planned at multiple locations – including Monument Mountain in Great Barrington and Field Farm in Williamstown — for all ages throughout the month June. Events include hikes, guided walks, trail steward training, volunteer opportunities, and more.
Ever wonder how The Trustees keep their trails in such good shape? One strategy is to have staff and volunteers conduct periodic trail assessments. On June 11, from 9 to noon at Monument Mountain, a workshop entitled Assessing Trail Conditions is designed to give those who are interested in caring for their favorite trails the opportunity to participate in a facilitated trail assessment and learn more about how to help contribute to the health and safety of The Trustees trails systems as a volunteer. Participants will hike the Hickey Trail at Monument Mountain and learn to survey trails, identify needed repairs, and how to log their findings. This event is free. Call 413.532.1631 x13 for more information or additional volunteer opportunities.
On Wednesdays in June from 10:30 to noon at Field Farm in Williamstown, the Trustees present Garden and Trail Stewards, to advance horticultural and trail stewardship skills. Help with a variety of group projects or find out more about the independent projects in trail monitoring, invasives monitoring and bird monitoring. This event is free. Contact assistant superintendent Jim Cameron at 413.458.3135 for more information.
The Trustees are also hosting a series of Trail Steward Training sessions across Central and Western Massachusetts in honor of National Trails Day. Each session will be led by experienced Trustees staff and will focus on one aspect of trail design and maintenance. Using a real project at one of our sites, those who are interested will get the chance to enhance learning by doing. Visit Build Trails and Build Skills: Volunteer Trail Steward Training for more information.
Since 1993, the American Hiking Association’s National Trails Day has inspired thousands of individuals and community groups each year to take part in activities that promote healthy living and mental well being, protect and care for trails and land, educate youth and adults on the importance of trails and open space, and instill excitement for the outdoors.
The Trustees work to promote healthy, active, green communities in Massachusetts by providing hundreds of year-round programs and events that inspire people of all ages to enjoy the outdoors and appreciate the history, nature, and culture of the Commonwealth. With more than 350 miles of hiking trails scattered throughout its network of 105 properties in 75 communities around the state, The Trustees’ trails also connect to the Appalachian Trail, Cape Cod Pathways, Bay Circuit Trail, Mid-State Trail, New England National Scenic Trail, Monoosnoc Trail, Tully Trail, and the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve.
For more information on The Trustees statewide NTD events, visit National Trails Day Celebrations. For more information on National Trails Day, visit the American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day website.