This is a combined educational workshop and trail work day aimed at trail project leaders, whether current or aspirational. We'll be working with the Central NH Chapter of New England Mountain Bike Association on the trails they maintain at Great Gains Memorial Forest in Franklin, NH, which is connected to Veterans Memorial Recreation Area. This project is part of the UNH Developing Interconnections for Regional Trails (aka "DIRT") initiative.

This event is free!

This event is for adults and youth ages 12+ if accompanied by an adult. Spaces are limited; please register in advance.

Whether for hiking, biking, horseback riding, skiing, snowmobiling, or other activities, there are a plethora of trails in New Hampshire that take a lot of time and effort to maintain. Whether a trail has drainage issues or overly robust brambles, volunteers can make a huge difference in keeping trails in optimal condition for recreational use. Managing a successful volunteer event requires knowledge and preparation to ensure fun, safety, and productivity.

Looking to jump start or fine tune your trail volunteer management knowledge and skills? Join UNH Extension and partners for a half-day, in-person workshop to learn the ins and outs of managing trail work volunteer projects. We’ll be working with the New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA) Central NH Chapter to learn their tricks of the trade while also helping them prepare a trail for the 2024 season. Andy Crowley from NH State Parks and Conservation Trail Services, LLC will also offer insights for a variety of trail work and volunteering scenarios. Come ready to work, share ideas, and learn from one another!

This workshop is ideal for people who are:

• Looking to gain volunteer leadership skills
• Hoping to bring back ideas and knowledge to their own recreation/conservation organization
• Interested in offering trail work volunteer events in their own region
• Wanting to develop or assess organizational procedures for volunteer safety and engagement
• Curious about trail design and maintenance considerations for mountain biking, hiking, and other activities
• Excited to connect with other individuals and organizations who are passionate about outdoor stewardship

Snacks, beverages, work gloves, and tools will be provided. You may want to bring your own lunch, water, gloves, bug repellent, and sunscreen. We’ll take a break around lunchtime while we continue our conversation. Plan to wear closed-toe shoes and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. We’ll be doing actual trail work while talking through volunteer management strategies. Event will be rain or shine.

This workshop is part of the Developing Interconnections for Regional Trails (DIRT) project, a collaboration between UNH Extension staff, UNH faculty, and external nonprofit and agency partners, supported by the UNH Collaborative Research Excellence (CoRE) Initiative. For more information about DIRT, please visit https://sites.usnh.edu/dirt.