Trail Crew
Trail Crew meets every Wednesday from 9 am to 11 am, except during bad weather and around holidays. Details on upcoming Trail Crew sessions will be posted here. Our work focuses on RRCT’s many public access properties, sometimes spending several weeks in a row at the same site. RRCT is also happy to help out at partner properties when Trail Crew is available.
There is a job for everyone, no matter your shape, skills, or strength. Join us the one week you have time or interest, or put Trail Crew on your calendar as your regular Wednesday morning ritual. It's a great way to experience a new preserve, get to know someone new, and learn new trail work techniques. Trail Crew tackles a variety of trail projects including clearing trail corridors, invasive plant removal, route finding and trail alignment, trail marking, constructing bog bridging and bridges, and improving signage. RRCT brings specific tools that will be helpful. We encourage volunteers to bring personal tools as well. Hand saws, pole saws, and loppers are favorites. Crew members should bring a water bottle, and wear sturdy shoes, work gloves, and the right clothes for the day.
Trail Crew is led by RRCT's Stewardship Director Hanae Garrison. If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach me at (973) 255-7513 or Hanae@RRCT.org
There is a job for everyone, no matter your shape, skills, or strength. Join us the one week you have time or interest, or put Trail Crew on your calendar as your regular Wednesday morning ritual. It's a great way to experience a new preserve, get to know someone new, and learn new trail work techniques. Trail Crew tackles a variety of trail projects including clearing trail corridors, invasive plant removal, route finding and trail alignment, trail marking, constructing bog bridging and bridges, and improving signage. RRCT brings specific tools that will be helpful. We encourage volunteers to bring personal tools as well. Hand saws, pole saws, and loppers are favorites. Crew members should bring a water bottle, and wear sturdy shoes, work gloves, and the right clothes for the day.
Trail Crew is led by RRCT's Stewardship Director Hanae Garrison. If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach me at (973) 255-7513 or Hanae@RRCT.org
Upcoming Trail Crew Sessions:
*************************************
Wednesday, August 5th, 9:00 am to 11:00 am - Today we will hike the River Elf Trail in New Gloucester, doing trail improvement projects and pruning along the way. It's also Lanna's last Trail Crew session before their internship ends!
Our tasks will include:
· Brush back the trails - trim overhanging branches and lateral branches extending into the trail. Limbs on trees should be cut at the branch’s bark collar so the tree can compartmentalize and heal over correctly. Remove exposed trip roots and stumps. Cut new growth flush to the ground.
· Clear natural drainage channels and small streams clogged with leaf litter and organic material. Drainage channels should be “U” shaped and ~12” wide.
· Reshape and level out the trail tread in slopped areas.
RRCT will have loppers, hand saws, hand pruners, rakes, a grub hoe, shovels, and a pick mattock, Bring boots, work gloves, water, and personal tools that may be helpful.
Parking: Meet at the parking lot is 400 Cobbs Bridge Rd, New Gloucester. Once the parking lot fills up, park along the road shoulder, on the same side as the trail.
Wednesday, August 12th, 9:00 am to 11:00 am - TBD
Wednesday, August 19th, 9:00 am to 11:00 am - TBD
**********************************
*Photography and Filming Note: Your attendance at Trail Crew may be photographed or filmed and your attendance indicates consent to have any images or footage featuring you at the event to be used for RRCT-related materials and outreach. Should images or footage appear in marketing materials that you don’t wish to be featured in, email Hanae@RRCT.org, and RRCT will cease to further use your image or footage for any new materials going forward.
****************************
Wednesday, August 5th, 9:00 am to 11:00 am - Today we will hike the River Elf Trail in New Gloucester, doing trail improvement projects and pruning along the way. It's also Lanna's last Trail Crew session before their internship ends!
Our tasks will include:
· Brush back the trails - trim overhanging branches and lateral branches extending into the trail. Limbs on trees should be cut at the branch’s bark collar so the tree can compartmentalize and heal over correctly. Remove exposed trip roots and stumps. Cut new growth flush to the ground.
· Clear natural drainage channels and small streams clogged with leaf litter and organic material. Drainage channels should be “U” shaped and ~12” wide.
· Reshape and level out the trail tread in slopped areas.
RRCT will have loppers, hand saws, hand pruners, rakes, a grub hoe, shovels, and a pick mattock, Bring boots, work gloves, water, and personal tools that may be helpful.
Parking: Meet at the parking lot is 400 Cobbs Bridge Rd, New Gloucester. Once the parking lot fills up, park along the road shoulder, on the same side as the trail.
Wednesday, August 12th, 9:00 am to 11:00 am - TBD
Wednesday, August 19th, 9:00 am to 11:00 am - TBD
**********************************
*Photography and Filming Note: Your attendance at Trail Crew may be photographed or filmed and your attendance indicates consent to have any images or footage featuring you at the event to be used for RRCT-related materials and outreach. Should images or footage appear in marketing materials that you don’t wish to be featured in, email Hanae@RRCT.org, and RRCT will cease to further use your image or footage for any new materials going forward.
****************************
Trail Crew at Mèmak Preserve, April 2026