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. There is no registration or prior experience needed, just show up! If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach me at (973) 255-7513 or Hanae@RRCT.org

Upcoming Trail Crew Sessions:

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Wednesday, October 14th, 9:00 am to 11:00 am - Join us at Littlejohn Island Preserve in Yarmouth!

We have a new Chronolog Photo Station to install at the point of the preserve, facing the shoreline. Once the station is live, photos taken at this site will contribute to a time-lapse video that that serves as baseline data and shows gradual erosion, king and negative tides, and signs of sea-level rise. The phone bracket will be attached to a 4"x4" post in the ground by the stone steps leading to the beach.

We'll also work on armoring the shoreline with branches to block off social paths contributing to erosion. Then, we'll spread out and hand-pull invasive plants including bittersweet vines, shrubby honeysuckle, glossy buckthorn, and Japanese barberry.

RRCT will bring a post hole digger, shovels, the post and signage, and lopers and hand saws for cutting invasive plants. Bring work gloves, water, and good walking shoes.

SPECIAL PARKING: Drive to the very end of Pemasong Lane in Yarmouth, past RRCT’s parking lot and through the stone gates marked “Private Way.” At the end of the road, turn right, and the service gate will be open. Go through the gate and park in the grassy area. RRCT staff will be there to direct you.

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Wednesday, October 21st, 9:00 am to 11:00 am - Today we'll be at Thayer Brook Preserve in Gray. More details to come.
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Wednesday, October 28th, 9:00 am to 11:00 am - TBD

Wednesday, November 4th, 9:00 am to 11:00 am - TBD

Wednesday, November 11th, 9:00 am to 11:00 am - No Trail Crew. RRCT staff are off for Veteran's Day.

Wednesday, November 18th, 9:00 am to 11:00 am - TBD
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‍*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.
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Trail Crew at Mèmak Preserve, April 2026