Trail Skills Training—New England

Welcome to another season of work and fun on the hiking trails of New England. We offer trainings in trail maintenance, natural resource management, environmental monitoring, and much more.  Good trail management entails both a passion for getting dirty and being well-equipped and informed. New and seasoned volunteers will find opportunities to participate in a variety of workshops and training programs. Join us in our efforts to develop skills and techniques that will contribute to the quality and enjoyment of our trail systems, as well as in the protection of our natural resources. Expect to need work clothes, including sturdy boots and gloves, for any workshop, as well as lunch unless otherwise indicated. We look forward to seeing you on the trails this season! Please call or e-mail to register; space may be limited.

Note: Not all workshops available this season are included here. Please check with your local club for more workshop and training opportunities.

Sawyer certification courses

For more information on ATC's sawyer training program, including how to register for a chain-saw course or to download a course application form, see Sawyer Certification.

Crosscut saw certification

Chain-saw use is prohibited in all federally designated Wilderness areas, including areas where the Appalachian Trail passes. A.T. volunteers working with crosscut saws must be certified to use them. Participants at these workshops may meet the requirements for certification, which is valid for three years. Participating sawyers may be eligible to order necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) following successful completion of the course.

Crosscut Saw Workshop for Trail Maintainers

Learn safe and efficient use of a crosscut saw and other hand tools and proper tool maintenance. Gain hands-on experience cutting blowdowns and felling trees. Successful participants may meet requirements for U.S. Forest Service certification for use of a crosscut saw to maintain trails in federal wilderness areas.

Chain-saw certification

The following workshops offer certification for chain-saw use on the A.T. The course covers all areas of safe and efficient saw use. Participants may meet the requirements for certification, which is valid for three years, and may be eligible to order needed personal protective equipment (PPE).

April 19–20, 2008
Location: Bradford, Maine
Instructor: Lester Kenway (ATC Contract Instructor)
Contact: Craig Dickstein, craig.donna@verizon.net or 207-668-5681

May 3–4, 2008
Location: Kellogg Conservation Center, South Egremont, Massachusetts
Instructor: Peter Jensen (ATC Contract Instructor)
Contact: Adam Brown, abrown@appalachiantrail.org or 413-528-8002
This is a first-time certification course for those interested in becoming A.T. sawyers.

Oct. 4–5, 2008
Location: Windham, Maine
Instructor: Lester Kenway (ATC Contract Instructor)
Contact: Craig Dickstein, craig.donna@verizon.net or 207-668-5681

Oct. 18–19, 2008
Location: Kellogg Conservation Center, South Egremont, Massachusetts
Instructor: Peter Jensen (ATC Contract Instructor)
Contact: Adam Brown, abrown@appalachiantrail.org or 413-528-8002
This is a recertification course for sawyers whose certifications expire soon or have recently expired.
 

Natural heritage and Environmental Monitoring

The Natural Heritage Monitoring and Environmental Monitoring programs monitor and protect natural resources along the Trail and the Trail corridor.  ATC offers training in plant identification, water and air quality monitoring, wildlife monitoring, and much more. These workshops are a great way to get involved and help protect rare, threatened and endangered species and landscapes. Please review the workshops below to learn more about A.T. environmental-monitoring and natural heritage initiatives.

Water-quality monitoring and ozone/visibility monitoring

Participants will learn about water- and air-quality issues and receive an introduction to A.T. monitoring programs. Workshops will be mostly field-based, and interested participants will be issued monitoring kits. New and current volunteers welcomed.

This workshop can also come to you. If you have a group of 8 or more people interested in monitoring air or water quality along the A.T., contact Matt Stevens, mstevens@appalachiantrail.org, (603) 795-4935, to schedule a workshop.

Currently, there are no water-quality and ozone/visibility workshops scheduled. Please check back for updates.

Monitoring Mountain Songbirds

Join us for 2 sessions of learning about mountain songbirds ("montane birds") and their habitat in a workshop presented in partnership with the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS). The first session begins with an evening presentation and workshop on the Monitoring Program.  The following morning, we will take a hike to the high-elevation spruce-fir forest on Mt. Cube, looking for montane birds such as the Swainson's Thrush, the Yellow-Rumped Warbler, and the rare Bicknell's Thrush.  Participants will complete a monitoring report for the summit of Mount Cube. Please check the VINS' website for more information on the Mountain Birdwatch Monitoring Program.

Natural Heritage Monitoring and Wildflower Identification

Come spend a day in the field and in the classroom. These workshops will help you advance your skills in botanical identification and introduce you to ATC's natural-heritage monitoring program. Volunteers are needed to monitor rare plants along the Trail.  The afternoon will be spent in a nearby unique natural area.  Workshops are led by ATC Staff and contract instructors. 

Wildlife Tracking Workshops

Join the ATC in these two exciting workshops to track wildlife and look for animal sign.  Participants will be taught tracking techniques and will learn about ATC's tracking program. The workshops will run from approximately 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  This workshop will begin with a brief introductory slide show before heading out for a leisurely walk within the AT corridor boundary to learn about the tracks and sign of some of the wildlife commonly found on the Appalachian Trail corridor in Massachusetts.  The workshop is free and open to everyone. Bring warm boots and clothing as well as a lunch or snack. Group size is limited to 10 so registration is appreciated. For registration, directions, and any other information please contact Matt Stevens.

Appalachian Trail Environmental Monitoring Initiative

Join us for two evening slide shows to learn about ATC's efforts in Environmental Monitoring, Natural Heritage Monitoring, Invasive/Exotic plant management, and how you can get involved.

Corridor monitoring

Come explore the woods in out-of-the-ordinary events that will teach participants map-and-compass and route-finding skills. Join the Appalachian Trail Conservancy in workshops to monitor the boundary of A.T. lands. Volunteers are needed for our boundary monitoring program, but all interested persons are encouraged to attend. A morning classroom session will review map and compass skills and surveyor's maps; the afternoon session will include an off-trail adventure along the A.T. corridor boundary. If you enjoy being off-trail in the woods, this is the event for you.

Other Workshops

Winch, Block And Tackle

Learn the use of Griphoist™ winches, pulleys, and ropes to safely move very heavy objects. These simple hand tools can be carried to any backcountry site. Principles of mechanical advantage will be discussed and there will be hands-on practice of typical rigging situations.

For more information or to have your club's workshops included in the schedule, please contact:

Appalachian Trail Conservancy
New England Regional Office
P.O. Box 312
Lyme, NH 03768
(603) 795-4935
atc-nero@appalachiantrail.org