MAINTAINING MORE THAN 2,100 MILES OF TRAILS IN NY AND NJ NYNJTC.ORG WINTER 2021 TRAIL WALKER NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY TRAIL CONFERENCE • CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH NATURE SINCE 1920 2020 Resilience, Gratitude by the Numbers Define Our 100th Year 3.5+ Million ABBIE URBANAK Views of informational The Trail Conference entered pages on nynjtc.org 2020 full of ambition and ex- citement, ready to mark our 100th birthday and make the year one of our best ever. 58,000+ It is with deep gratitude to Avenza Maps downloads all our volunteers, members, to safely guide trail users and supporters that, despite the challenges this year has CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH NATURE SINCE 1920 presented, we close 2020 as one of our best ever. That is only possible thanks to you. Your donations, quite sim- ply, allowed the Trail Confer- ence to continue operations. After our headquarters closed in March and in-person ac- tivity was suspended out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of our staff and volunteers, we were unsure what would happen next. Incredibly, when the trail community heard of budget gaps and vanishing sources of income, they rallied to en- 100,923 sure there were no gaps in the Trail users engaged by public’s ability to experience Conservation Corps the physical, mental, and emo- Trail Stewards tional wellbeing found in na- ture. And the trail community grew. Record numbers of people 12,000+ began exploring trails. We saw Views of our new on- unprecedented demand for demand educational information from our web- videos site about where to hike and what to bring. The rejuvenat- ing power of trails became 1,500+ essential for weathering the pandemic—and the Trail Con- Webinar participants ference became an essential through our new digital service for the public. engagement initiative We could be sharing a very work of the Trail Conference— for the opportunity to serve Conference could stand watch different story right now if our staff, volunteers, and ser- the people of greater metro- for trails and remain vigilant it weren’t for our supporters’ vice members accomplished politan New York and New for the protection of the land 228 investment in the protection more than we thought possi- Jersey—people who, for gen- you love. We do this work for of great outdoor experiences ble during those early days of erations, have valued safe you, for your children, and New volunteers trained when we all needed it most. quarantine. Read about these trails and healthy ecosystems. for the future of all those who and assigned to on-the- Thanks to your passion for achievements on pages 5-9. You are the ones who, for 100 live in and enjoy this beautiful ground roles nature—for your belief in the We are incredibly grateful years, have made sure the Trail region. VOLUME XLIX, NUMBER 1 ISSN 0749-1352 WHAT’S INSIDE: Seven More Miles of the Long Path Permanently Protected page 5 Recognizing Those Who Looking Back at 2020; Go Above and Beyond in Popular Guidebook and Looking Forward to 2021 Support of Our Mission Map Set Get Updates pages 5-9 page 4 pages 15-16 2 | Winter 2021 TRAIL WALKER • NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY TRAIL CONFERENCE nynjtc.org Making Great Trail Experiences Possible ADOBE STOCK On Oct. 19, the Trail Con- ference turned 100. To mark Giving that milestone, we held our first-ever Trail-A-Thon. We Thanks invited everyone to take on During the challenge of walking, hik- ing, running, or riding 100 Trailsgiving miles to help mark our Cen- tennial. While ticking off the We asked our supporters miles, participants were given to be part of the global the opportunity to raise mon- giving movement sur- ey and awareness for the Trail rounding Giving Conference mission. What an Tuesday–and the adventure it turned out to be! response was incredi- Over 400 Trail-A-Thon’ers ble! We challenged our from seven states (including friends, partners, and California and Colorado!), the greater community ages 2 to 82, geared up to ven- to show their support ture more than 18,500 miles. during our TrailsGiving Together, they raised over Week, Nov. 23 through $46,000. Dec. 1. With your help, Our community came to- $20,800 was raised. With gether in the spirit of what our the $10,000 match from organization was founded on, a generous donor, a total 100 years ago: ensuring great of $30,800 raised during outdoor experiences are pos- TrailsGiving Week will sible today, tomorrow, and for go towards supporting generations to come. Thank the more than 2,000 you to everyone who took the volunteers who care challenge. for your favorite trails The Centennial celebration and protect the land doesn’t stop here! We’ll be you love. It’s amazing ringing in our second century what we can accomplish through October 2021. Stay together! tuned, Trail Fam! your gift is doubled, mean- emotional wellbeing found December ing $50 automatically turns in nature, we are asking you into $100. Give $25 or more to be a leader in the pro- Challenge: today at bit.ly/tc-dec20, tection of great experiences and you’ll be entered to win outdoors by donating today. Your Gift $1,000 in trail gear! Our ability to remain We expect the increased steadfast in our mission not Is Doubled usage of trails to continue only this year, but for the to rise in 2021. That means last 100 years, is thanks to In the spirit of the season, trails and natural areas will supporters like you. Your our Board of Directors is need the care and attention partnership now will ensure matching donations (up of even more Trail Confer- we continue to be successful to $115,000) through the ence volunteers and service in helping people connect end of 2020 to create our members to remain safe and with nature for another December Challenge. enjoyable. Because you val- century. Thank you for your Through Dec. 31, 2020, ue the physical, mental, and generosity! TRAIL WALKER (USPS Permit #970- Board of Directors 100) (ISSN: 0749-1352) is published quarterly by the New York-New Patsy Wooters Vice Chair Jersey Trail Conference as a benefit Ken Posner Secretary of membership. Subscriptions are Beth Ravit Treasurer available to libraries only at $15 a year. Periodical postage paid at Directors Mahwah, N.J., and additional mailing TRAIL WALKER Justin Bailey Andy Garrison offices. Postmaster: Send address Susan Barbuto Katina Grays changes to the address below. VOLUME XLIX, NO. 1 WinTER 2021 David Felsenthal John Magerlein Charles Gadol Ned Whitney Copyright 2021 by: AMBER RAY EDITOR New Board of Director officers will be New York-New Jersey STEPHANIE HINDERER DESIGNER elected in January 2021. who goes above and Trail Conference, Inc. Call for 600 Ramapo Valley Road MISSION STATEMENT beyond. We know there The New York-New Jersey Trail Mahwah, NJ 07430 Senior Staff are many volunteers 201.512.9348 Conference is a volunteer-powered Volunteer organization that builds, maintains, and Joshua Howard EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR worthy of an award, and protects public trails. Together with Mary Perro CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Opinions expressed by the authors our partners, we strive to ensure that Hank Osborn DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS Award your nominations help us do not necessarily represent the trails and natural areas we share Amber Ray HEAD OF STRATEGIC identify those outstanding the policy or position of the Trail are sustainable and accessible for all to COMMUNICATIONS Conference. Submissions for print Nominations people who deserve special enjoy for generations to come. Don Weise DIRECTOR OF DONOR ADVISING consideration are welcome. Any recognition for their Linda Rohleder LAND STEWARDSHIP DIRECTOR unsolicited material accepted for print may be edited for style and The New York-New Jersey Trail We are so grateful for the efforts. length. Submission deadlines for Conference is a volunteer, non-profit For a full list of staff, visit efforts of our volunteers. This year’s honorees will TRAIL WALKER are Feb. 15 (Spring 501 (c)(3) organization. nynjtc.org/about-us They make incredible still receive awards and issue), May 15 (Summer issue), Aug. 15 (Fall issue), Nov. 15 (Winter issue). email: [email protected] commitments to the trails recognition, and we are Printed on recycled content paper For information on advertising rates, editorial email: [email protected] and lands they love. While cooking up alternative ways please write or call. PLEASE RECYCLE TRAIL WALKER website: www.nynjtc.org we won’t be able to hold to celebrate in 2021. Details an in-person Volunteer to come in the new year. Appreciation event this Check nynjtc.org/ Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation March due to COVID-19, awards for the award Trail Walker is a quarterly paper published by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, 600 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, NJ that doesn’t mean we categories, past award 07430. The editor and managing editor is Amber Ray, at the same address. The annual subscription price is $15; contact person can’t celebrate the 2020 winners, and info on is Amber Ray; telephone number is 201-512-9348. The tax status of the organization has not changed during the preceding 12 accomplishments of those the nomination process. months. As of the filing date of Oct. 1, 2020, the average number of copies of each issue during the preceding 12 months was 9,700; the actual number of copies of the single issue published nearest to the filing date was 8,500. The paper has a total paid who give so selflessly to our Nominations must be and/or requested circulation of 5,377 (average) and 5,150 (actual, most recent issue).