Category Archives: Trails

Advocacy, Lobbying, and a Call to Action in New Jersey

Posted on March 16, 2016 by Trail Walker

By Adam Page Taylor, Trail Conference Volunteer On Jan. 11, my volunteer work for the Trail Conference led me to Trenton. The flags atop the State House snapped briskly as I walked up to the building’s front entrance. Members of … Continue reading →

Posted in New Jersey Trails, New York Trails, Profile, Trails, Volunteering | Tagged Advocacy, Community Outreach, Community Service, Connect With Nature, Conservation, New Jersey, New York, News, Pilgrim Pipeline, Trail Information, trails, Trenton, Volunteers | 3 Comments

Ask a Trail Builder: Understanding Grade Reversals

Posted on March 16, 2016 by Trail Walker

By Erik Mickelson, Field Manager The trail I maintain has issues with water channeling down the tread. What can be done to fix this? It sounds like your trail has a lack of grade reversals. A “grade reversal” is not … Continue reading →

Posted in Hikes, New Jersey Trails, New Trail, New York Trails, Science, Trail U, Trails, Volunteering | Tagged Ask a Trail Builder, Connect With Nature, Conservation, hikes, New Jersey, New York, News, Science, Trail Building, Trail Information, trails, Volunteers | Leave a comment

Lobby Days: Promoting the Importance of Trails

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Trail Walker

Trail Conference staff and volunteers annually attend lobby days in the New York capitol to speak with elected officials about issues that affect our work and mission, such as funding for the Environmental Protection Fund and the Catskill Park. You … Continue reading →

Posted in Catskill Region Trail News, New York Trails, Trails, Volunteering | Tagged Advocacy, Catskills, Community Outreach, Connect With Nature, Conservation, Lobbying, New York, News, Trail Information, Volunteers | Leave a comment

Where, When to Find the Rare Bloodroot

Posted on March 9, 2016 by Trail Walker

By Mike Adamovic, Trail Conference volunteer Quickly after the last of the winter snow has dissipated and a flattened, tawny earth emerges to greet the first rays of the spring sun, certain streamsides and other moist areas throughout our region … Continue reading →

Posted in Science, Trails | Tagged Bloodroot, Connect With Nature, Nature, Science, Spring, Trail Information, trails, Wildflowers | Leave a comment

Improving the Long Swamp Trail, One Hike at a Time

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Trail Walker

Eagle Scout could earn another prestigious Hornaday Conservation Award for his efforts combating invasive species in Sterling Forest By Zachary Kunow, Trail Conference volunteer I am a 16-year-old Eagle Scout with Boy Scout Troop 21 of Suffern, N.Y., and have … Continue reading →

Posted in Hikes, Invasive Species, New York Trails, Profile, Science, Sterling Forest, Trails, Volunteering, West Hudson Trails | Tagged Boy Scouts, Community Outreach, Community Service, Connect With Nature, Conservation, Eagle Scout, invasive plants, Invasives Strike Force, New York, News, Science, Sterling Forest State Park, Trail Information, trails, Volunteers, West Hudson Trails | 1 Comment

“Stay Away from the Woods”: Countering the Idea that Nature Is Unsafe for Our Kids

Posted on February 17, 2016 by Trail Walker

By Hank Osborn, Senior Program Coordinator What messages are our children receiving about exploring the outdoors, and how will they affect future efforts to protect our environment? My wife and I try to get our young ones outside as much … Continue reading →

Posted in Hikes, New Jersey Trails, New York Trails, Profile, Science, Trails | Tagged Connect With Nature, Conservation, East Hudson Trails, Hank Osborn, hikes, Hiking, hiking with kids, Science, trails | 3 Comments

Bird Count at Closter Nature Center Reveals More Than a Dozen Species

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Trail Walker

By Steve Kelman, Trail Walker Contributor On what may prove to be one the coldest days of this winter season, a small group of birding enthusiasts gathered at the cabin in front of the Closter Nature Center to take part … Continue reading →

Posted in New Jersey Trails, Science, Trails | Tagged Bergen County, Birds, Closter Nature Center, Connect With Nature, Conservation, New Jersey, News, Science, trails | Leave a comment

Where There’s a Hearth, There’s Mirth

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Trail Walker

By Gary Willick, Fulfillment Specialist As an adult, I discovered that most of the people I had known in my hometown of Teaneck, NJ, had moved away; I myself had moved to Closter, NJ. When visiting my parents and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Appalachian Trail, Harriman-Bear Mountain Trails, Hikes, New Jersey Trails, New York Trails, Trails, West Hudson Trails | Tagged Appalachian Trail, Bear Mountain, Cross-Country Skiing, Harriman State Park, hike finder, hikes, New Jersey, New York, News, Skiing, Snow, snowshoeing, Trail Information, trails, West Hudson Trails, Winter, Winter hiking, XC Skiing | 1 Comment

Black Bear Encounter on Cedar Swamp Trail

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Trail Walker

By: David Day, West Jersey Trail Crew Co-Leader First published in the Winter 2016 edition of Trail Walker On Nov. 14, the Trail Conference’s West Jersey Trail Crew was working in Wawayanda State Park on the long-term project of refurbishing the … Continue reading →

Posted in New Jersey Trails, Trail Crew, Trails, Volunteering | Tagged Advocacy, Bears, New Jersey, News, Trail Crew, trails, Volunteers, Wawayanda State Park, West Jersey Trail Crew | Leave a comment

SUEZ Water North Jersey Volunteers Are Committed to Building and Protecting Trails

Posted on January 8, 2016 by Trail Walker

Many thanks to SUEZ Water North Jersey for doing their part in helping the Trail Conference create, protect, and promote 2,100 miles of public trails. Check out our video that showcases our partnership with ny/nj trail conference Posted by SUEZ Water North … Continue reading →