MAINTAINING MORE THAN 2,100 MILES OF TRAILS IN NY AND NJ NYNJTC.ORG SUMMER 2021 TRAIL WALKER NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY TRAIL CONFERENCE • CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH NATURE SINCE 1920 Growing Park Visitation Increases Our Commitment to Great Trail Experiences For more than a decade, land SCHNEIDER AND MATT JOHNSON JESSIE spotted lanternfly got their managers and environmental first training this spring. organizations have been de- bating how to solve one of the Finding solutions together biggest threats to the integrity To truly serve the natural areas of our public lands: increasing- of the greater New York met- ly high visitation. In 2020, at ropolitan area, we must work the height of a pandemic that together with the other agen- prompted more people than cies and partners doing the ever to find relaxation and ref- work that continues to sustain uge in nature, the issue seemed open space in this region. The to reach its tipping point. Trail Conference is proud to As literal and figurative be a founding member of the trailblazers in environmental New York Outdoor Recreation conservation for 100 years, Coalition (NYORC). Members the Trail Conference has tak- of the statewide NYORC are en a leadership role in coordi- committed to building a more nating stewardship efforts to equitable outdoors through in- keep up with the challenges of vestment and being an active high use and misuse. There is participant in creating wel- no one answer to solve these coming spaces for historically issues; it is our belief that we marginalized and underrepre- can create better outdoor ex- sented communities. Through periences through user educa- our participation in NYORC, tion, public participation, and we are stakeholders in the sustainable, on-the-ground Open Spaces for All initia- solutions. tive spearheaded by the Open Here’s a look at where we’re The Trail Conference is playing a leading role in finding solutions to the challenges asso- Space Institute. The over- focusing efforts this season: ciated with more people exploring trails such as those on Breakneck Ridge, pictured. arching goal of this effort is to identify innovative policies, More efficient recruitment also paying off, which results Verkeerderkill Falls in Min- year, that includes trail main- programs, initiatives, and cre- and onboarding = more in a better experience for both newaska State Park Preserve. tenance trips and creating an ative partnerships to support volunteer power our volunteers and those who You’ll find our volunteer Stew- educational video series. and engage a growing and in- When in-person activities enjoy the trails and parks un- ards stationed at the Ashokan creasingly diverse constituen- were suspended in 2020, we der our care. Rail Trail in the Catskills, and Smart expansion cy of park users. Further, this pivoted to online volunteer in Hudson Highlands and When we look to expand our plan will support the evolution recruitment and training. We Emphasis on user education Fahnestock state parks. Part- stewardship efforts, we look of the state’s services, offer- created engaging digital con- and outreach ners whose own Stewards have for the projects that will have ings, and operations to equi- tent that allowed us to reach You’ll be seeing more Trail received training by the Trail the most positive impact on tably meet these needs and more people than we ever Conference Stewards in more Conference include New York both the public and the land. demands. The Trail Confer- imagined possible. That result- places this year, which will al- State Parks, Rockland Conser- This year, we’re expanding trail ence also continues to serve on ed in more volunteers trained low us to engage, one-on-one, vation & Service Corps, and construction work in Morris Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Catskill and assigned to more posi- with more people looking for the New Jersey Department of County, N.J., with the addition Advisory Group, a strategic tions than ever before. a safe, enjoyable experience Environmental Protection. of a dedicated Conservation planning advisory group that Our volunteer ranks remain outdoors. Our Conservation That “face time” on the trail Corps crew. And our Ecolog- is developing a framework to steady this season, meaning Corps Stewards are serving at allows Stewards to provide ical Stewardship programs help balance public use needs there are more people caring Breakneck Ridge in Hudson helpful outreach and informa- continue to offer more volun- in the Catskills, as well as on for the region’s trails and nat- Highlands State Park Preserve, tion about park regulations, teer opportunities to help pre- the New Jersey Trails Council. ural areas just as these places on the Appalachian Trail at hiker safety, preparedness, serve native ecosystems: The With the help of our partners are seeing more visitors. Addi- Bear Mountain State Park, at and other best practices. In volunteer-led New Jersey In- and supporters, we aim to gain tionally, our increased efforts the Croton Gorge Unique Area addition to readying hikers, vasives Strike Force will work greater investment in our mis- to recruit volunteer leaders in Westchester County, on sev- Stewards help discourage and its first full season combatting sion so we can tackle whatever and implement new, more ex- eral summits in the Catskills, mitigate misuse of trails and invasives in the Garden State, challenges we face this year— tensive training processes are and at Gertrude’s Nose and the surrounding lands. This while volunteer surveyors for and for the next 100 years. VOLUME XLIX, NUMBER 3 ISSN 0749-1352 WHAT’S INSIDE: The Latest on Lyme Disease: Bills Aim to Fund Awareness, Research page 9 Conservation Corps Trails for People: Crews Preview Trail & Mark Your Calendars! Volunteers in Action Park Improvements Trail Events Not to Miss pages 6-7 page 8 pages 2, 3 2 | Summer 2021 TRAIL WALKER • NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY TRAIL CONFERENCE nynjtc.org You’re Invited to Our Centennial Gala One hundred years ago, the on a trail, they are embody- philanthropist, environmen- New York-New Jersey Trail ing the values of an organi- talist, and longtime Trail Con- Conference was founded by zation that strives to provide ference champion. outdoor-lovers who believed safe, enjoyable opportunities Our program will include the weariness of fast-paced, outdoors and inspire a deeper live entertainment, a three- modern life could be cured by appreciation for the care that course meal, and local drinks. a walk in the woods. Today, natural areas require. Following all New York State the demand for outdoor recre- We invite you to join us at health guidelines and proto- ation is at an all-time high as our Centennial Gala on Oc- cols, tickets will be limited and people turn to nature to relax tober 16 at the Bear Mountain safety precautions will be in and recharge after an extreme- Inn to celebrate this legacy of place. ly challenging year. service—100 years of empow- Mark your calendars and Since 1920, the Trail Con- ering people to connect with visit nynjtc.org/events for full ference has been a literal and nature and protect the land details and to RSVP. figurative trailblazer in the they love. To mark this mile- We are moved by nature; we conservation movement. Ev- stone, we will be honoring Dr. are united by trails. We hope to ery time our volunteers step Lucy Rockefeller Waletzky— see you there! Welcome, fledgling gar- dener. Mary New Board Ann holds Members a BA from Bowdoin New Board members Dean- College and a na Culbreath and Mary JD from Boston University Ann Villari were appointed Law School. After practic- to the Trail Conference ing corporate real estate Board of Directors in April. law for many years in New Deanna Culbreath was York City, Mary Ann served elevated to head coach of as Chief Operating Officer Sarah Lawrence College’s and General Counsel for men’s and women’s cross- Broadway Housing Com- country munities, a not-for-profit teams in organization that provides 2017. She supportive and affordable previously housing for low-income served as and formerly homeless assistant adults and families. Over coach upon her arrival in two decades, she led the 2013. An avid trail runner, development of hundreds Deanna’s many accomplish- of units of housing, two ments include back-to-back early childhood centers, runner-up finishes at the and a new cultural institu- USATF Trail 100 Mile tion, including the Sugar Celebrating Trails Day, Every Day National Championship Hill Project in Washington (2012 and 2013), as well as Heights. Mary Ann served Since 1920, the Trail Confer- Corps members have what erosity of Georg Budenbender back-to-back wins (2012, on the Board of Trustees ence has been known as the they need to get the job done and Dr. Katy Elwyn, who do- 2013), including a course of Bowdoin College and is “doers” in connecting people by donating to our Trail Build- nated a campaign match, and record, at the Paine to Pain currently a member of the with nature. In celebration ing & Maintenance Fund— to Mark Perreault, who saw Trail Half Marathon. Finance and Governance of National Trails Day this and you made a huge impact! the early enthusiasm for our Mary Ann Villari is a committees of the Trail year, we honored those who Thanks to your donations, we National Trails Day challenge lifelong hiker, skier, and Conference. have contributed to our trail raised over $21,000 to support and offered a gift to extend the construction and maintenance the planning, construction, match. Our thanks to all who legacy with webinars and and restoration of thousands invested in protecting healthy guided hikes to visit recent of miles of trails—trails that trail systems! Earth Day visitors; we aim to ensure project sites.