MAINTAINING 2,144 MILES OF TRAILS IN NY AND NJ NYNJTC.ORG SUMMER 2017 TRAIL WALKER NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY TRAIL CONFERENCE • CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH NATURE SINCE 1920 The Power of Passion for Trails ERIK MICKELSON JOSH HOWARD DEPUTY EXECUTIVE In 2016, the Trail DIRECTOR Conference put over In the nonprofit world, vali- 152,000 dation comes in many forms. hours of service into Some organizations seek the building, maintaining, affirmation of their good deeds and protecting trails from donors and the public —a new record. through complicated financial ranking systems. Others are satisfied by surviving the ebb and helping the public access and flow of organizational life more than 2,100 miles of trails. cycles and keeping their doors That’s 152,000 hours build- open for one more day. ing, maintaining, and protect- For the Trail Conference, ing trails and the lands they building its reputation over the pass through. Another way course of a century and serving to summarize this Herculean as the go-to source for a great effort is that in 2016, the Trail trail experience in the New Conference had the equiva- York metropolitan region is lent of 73 full-time employees not how I validate the effective- fulfilling its mission. Our staff ness and impact of our organi- and volunteers worked the zation. From my perspective, same number of hours as an validation comes from within. individual can expect to work People’s willingness to give in 1.5 lifetimes. Or, more ap- their time and energy to an or- propriately, the time it would ganization is a far more power- Trail Conference volunteers and staff work tirelessly to improve the public’s access to nature. take to hike the entire Appala- ful measurement of its worthi- chian Trail 35 times. ness. In 2016, validation for the hours of service. Including un- The Trail Conference is Trail Conference came from reported hours, their donation Share Your on a trail we maintain or defined and validated by the more than 2,400 volunteers of time is even larger. Love of Trails the pride exuded from people who dedicate their time who helped connect people But that is not the whole our trail crews when they to it. Whether they are paid or with nature. These volunteers story. In addition to the en- For the past 15 years describe a work trip they unpaid, the Trail Conference worked indoors and outside. ergies of our volunteers, Trail (that’s 31,200 hours of just completed. We’d love is recognized by the devotion Some got dirty, while others Conference staff advanced the employment at the Trail to share your reasons for and passion of the individuals never needed a boot brush. organization by contributing Conference), my efforts volunteering. Email your who year after year selflessly Many were new and most were more than 48,000 hours of have been validated by story to volunteers@ provide the public with access familiar faces. Altogether, our effort supporting volunteers, the smiles from a family nynjtc.org. to nature through a network volunteers reported 104,000 working with land managers, of trails. WHAT’S INSIDE: National Trails Day Open House People for Trails: Building CELESTIN ROBERT Better Trails in Ramapo On Saturday, June 3, nature and Sterling Forest lovers and outdoor adventurers pages 8-9 came together to celebrate all things trails at the Trail Con- ference’s National Trails Day New Loop Trail Options Open House, sponsored by Blazed in Norvin Green Caring for 162 Miles of REI. The event, held at Trail and Long Pond Ironworks the Appalachian Trail Conference Headquarters, in- pages 3 & 12 pages 6-7 cluded guided hikes and stew- ardship opportunities through Ramapo Valley County Reser- VOLUME XLIV, NUMBER 3 ISSN 0749-1352 vation to both enjoy and help make a difference at this pop- board member of both the which also included tours of ular park, located right next Trail Conference and Amer- our headquarters at Darlington door to our historic home. ican Hiking Society, which Schoolhouse, raffle prizes, food National Trails Day, ob- founded National Trails Day— trucks, and partner organiza- served every June across the gave opening remarks. Hikers tions encouraging year-round country, recognizes the power then took to the trails, while engagement with nature. trails have in connecting peo- our REI stewardship volunteers “At the Trail Conference, ev- ple with nature. Trail Confer- helped remove 38 bags of garlic ery day is trails day,” said Exec- ence Membership and Devel- mustard, six bags of litter, and utive Director Ed Goodell. “It’s opment Director Don Weise even a kitchen sink from the very gratifying to see so many and Catskill Center Executive Reservation. Around 300 peo- people enjoying trails and cele- Director Jeff Senterman—a ple attended the celebration, brating with us.” 2 | Summer 2017 TRAIL WALKER • NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY TRAIL CONFERENCE nynjtc.org Trail Conference BEYLINSON YANA Hosts Wildflowers Art Exhibition Joyce Kilmer and Elementary Elementary Student Show Work by students par- School Showcase ticipating in the Mah- wah School District’s The glory of wildflowers is for this exhibition. A generous Gifted and Talented Art celebrated in the summer donation from Dick Blick Program was displayed at exhibition at Trail Conference Art Materials will allow Trail Conference Head- Headquarters, on view through prizes to be distributed to quarters throughout Sept. 28. The juried show outstanding participants. The the month of May. The features nearly 40 paintings, Art Selection Committee is fourth and fifth grad- drawings, and photographs grateful to our prize jurors, ers from Joyce Kilmer depicting or inspired by Joseph Gennarelli, President Sunflowers, Aix-en-Provence, France. Oil on canvas. School showed skill well flowers, which were carefully of the Ridgewood Camera beyond their years in selected from a wider array of Club, and Lou Spina, President If You Go their depictions of New submitted works. Most of the of Pascack Art Association, York City bridges, owls, works can be purchased. The who volunteered their time What: Wildflowers through Saturday camels, and wildflow- artists will donate a portion of and expertise in selecting the Exhibition Where: Trail Conference ers. Mahwah Mayor Bill the purchase price to benefit winning artists. (Winners When: Open through Headquarters, 600 Rama- Laforet was an honored the work and programs of the were not available at press Sept. 28 during regular po Valley Rd., Mahwah, N.J guest at the well- Trail Conference. time; see nynjtc.org/news- Trail Conference hours, Details: Find out more at attended opening recep- In a gallery first, we have center for the full list.) 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday nynjtc.org. tion on May 8. secured a corporate sponsor Glenda Haas Trail Conference Staff Update HERB CHONG Jakob Franke Welcome playing softball and tennis. Memorial New Staffers Heather and Tori Farewell to Trail Tree Planting Heather Builders Ama Darley, and Kevin To celebrate his life and Commu- honor his memory, family nications Ama Koenigshof and Kevin and friends of the late Jakob Assistant, Simpson have left the Trail Franke gathered at Trail of Mont- Conference to pursue other Conference Headquarters on vale, N.J., joined the Trail trail-building opportunities May 20. Those in attendance Conference in 2016. Heath- locally and abroad. heard from Jakob’s longtime er started as the assistant colleague and friend, Dr. invasives program coordi- Ama Richard Kessin, and Jakob’s nator, and became the com- Koenig- brother, Tiete Franke. Both munications assistant this shof, Trail provided a look at Jakob’s May. She is also a volunteer Builder/ personal life, his professional Catskills summit steward. Educator, accomplishments, and his love Heather graduated from Ra- started for trails. mapo College of New Jersey with the Trail Conference To thank the Trail in 2015 with a bachelor’s in 2012 after leading Conference for providing From left: Ed Goodell, Tiete Franke, Ettaly Jobes, Arva degree in environmental trail maintenance and Jakob with a place to Rogers, and Gely Franke planted the memorial tree. studies. With a background construction crews all volunteer in his retirement in invasive species, volun- over the country. She and to preserve his memory teer coordination, and envi- was instrumental in the for years to come, the family Schoolhouse. Executive Ettaly Jobes and Arva Rogers, ronmental advocacy, she is development and success planted a white pine tree in Director Ed Goodell assisted and Tiete in planting the tree excited to collaborate with of both our Trail University his honor at the Darlington Jakob’s wife Gely, daughters near the building’s entrance. Trail Conference staff and and Conservation Corps volunteers and promote the programs. She served wonderful work they do. as manager of the Bear TRAIL WALKER (USPS Permit #970- Board of Directors Mountain Trails Project, 100) (ISSN: 0749-1352) is published Edward Saiff Chair Tori Welch, which includes the quarterly by the New York-New Patricia Wooters Vice Chair Field rehabilitation and reroute Jersey Trail Conference as a benefit Rick Levine Treasurer Manager, of membership. Subscriptions are Daniel Hoberman Counsel is of the Appalachian Trail on available to libraries only at $15 from Ham- Bear Mountain. a year. Periodical postage paid at Directors Chris Connolly John Magerlein burg, N.Y. Mahwah, N.J., and additional mailing TRAIL WALKER Kevin offices. Postmaster: Send address Walt Daniels Ken Posner Tori joined Mary Dooman Beth Ravit changes to the address below. VOLUME XLIV, NO. 3 SUMMER 2017 the Trail Conference in Simpson, Andy Garrison Jeff Senterman 2016 as a Conservation Bear AMBER RAY EDITOR Suzan Gordon Dave Stuhr Copyright 2017 by: Mountain New York-New Jersey STEPHANIE HINDERER DESIGNER Gaylord Holmes Ned Whitney Corps member serving in Trail Conference, Inc.