Volunteer Opportunity: Trail Work Volunteer

  • Section Trail Work Volunteer

    Section Trail Work Volunteer

    Each of GMC’s 14 regional sections adopts a portion of the Long Trail, its side trails, and/or the Appalachian Trail in Vermont. The section is committed to maintaining this are of trail with annual work trips in the fall and spring, and additional wok throughout the field season dependent on trail and projects needed.

    If you’d like to volunteer with a group, consider joining a Section Work Day. Section work days are open to everyone and no previous experience is necessary, but please RSVP directly to the section leaders so they know to expect you.

    Learn more about sections and their trail work here.

  • Trail or Shelter Adopter

    Trail or Shelter Adopter

    Maintain a section of trail or a GMC shelter to enhance the hiking experience and improve trail conditions. No prior experience necessary; we’ll get you started with an orientation.

    Apply

    Currently available shelters and trails:

    Available Shelters

    • Bromley Summit Privy
    • Peru Peak Shelter/Griffith Lake Tenting Area

    Available Trails

    Southern Vermont:

    • Lye Brook Trail: Bourne Pond to Stratton Pond

    Northern Vermont:

    • Chilcoot Trail, Morrisville, VT: 0.8 miles
    • Beaver Meadow Loop Trail, Morrisville, VT: 0.4 miles

    Appalachian Trail:

    Northeast Kingdom:

    The Green Mountain Club’s Northeast Kingdom Section maintains a list of NEK-area trails which are up for adoption. Visit their page here: Northeast Kingdom Section Trail Adoption

    More Information

  • Bark Mulch Packer

    Bark Mulch Packer

    Haul burlap sacks of bark mulch across backcountry terrain for use at composting privy sites. Scheduling and mulch weight is flexible to meet your needs. (This is a great way to strengthen for backpacking trips!) Learn more about bark mulch packing and sign up to be contacted when sites are low on mulch.

  • Corridor Monitor

    Corridor Monitor

    Monitor Boundary Lines and Land Use While Exploring the Backcountry

    Help protect the Green Mountains and the “footpath in the wilderness” by becoming a volunteer Corridor Monitor. Corridor monitors are assigned a parcel of land and are asked to walk its boundaries at least once a year. You will use a map and compass to navigate the boundary lines of GMC-owned land, ensuring that all land use agreements are being upheld and reporting any encroachments.

    Maintaining the Boundary

    You will first visit your parcel with Land Stewardship Coordinator Rowan Kamman, who will provide training. Then, independently and on a flexible schedule, you will visit your parcel once or twice per year to monitor the boundary lines and keep it clear by painting boundary blazes, hanging signs, and clearing brush. You are asked to submit a report after every visit. Your work and presence along these remote boundaries help to preserve the remote character of the trail.

    Corridor monitoring 02_06-28-2024_Lily LaRegina
    Angela Emerson_Corridor Monitoring AT_05-03-2017_Mollie Flanigan

    Volunteer Qualifications

    • Basic backcountry and hiking experience
    • Capable of hiking over rough terrain and navigating without the benefit of a trail (map and compass skills required)
    • Ability to carry necessary equipment and work in varied weather conditions
    • Good communication skills, friendly, and self-motivated
    • Expectation of volunteering in the role for multiple years

    Other Preferred Qualifications:

    • Knowledge of Leave No Trace principles
    • Wilderness first-aid skills and/or current first aid certification

    Current Available Parcels

    Jay, VT north of Jay Peak: 4.6 miles of remote boundary, hosts 0.6 miles of the LT and the Laura Woodward shelter. Remote, shortest access via Jay Peak ski trails.

    Jay, VT around Route 105: 6.8 miles of boundary, roughly parallels 2.8 miles of the LT on either side of Route 105. The southern end of this section is remote.

    Interested? Contact Rowan Today
    Sunrise_Bolton_08-24-2024_William-Morris
    Rowan Kamman photo

    Meet Rowan: Land Stewardship Coordinator

    Rowan’s work at GMC centers on the stewardship of conserved lands on both the Long Trail and Appalachian Trail in Vermont. Rowan coordinates the corridor monitor program, training and supporting volunteers in this crucial work across the state. He also supports efforts to manage invasive plant species on conserved lands. He gets to traverse far-flung hills and dales for work (often in rather straight lines), and he thinks that’s a pretty good deal.

    Submit a Corridor Monitoring Report