Support Our Trails
Confession: During my early days of hiking and trail running, I thought trails were "maintained" simply by getting packed down by foot travel (…um, nope!). Keeping trails usable takes WORK. For existing trails, this means managing overgrowth, erosion, and storm damage. In addition, many of Vermont’s trail systems actually exist on private land - who’s owners have graciously allowed the public to access and recreate on. These partnerships mean that relationship building is critical to keep trails open to all and build or expand new trails.
As a whole, the trail running community tends to be less visible in trail maintenance and advocacy compared to users like mountain bikers or climbers who've had to fight for access. While there are plenty of individual runners who are super active in this arena... there's room to improve on a community level.
We tend to be really awesome at leaving-no-trace... but what percentage of us attend trailwork days or contribute $ to trail organizations? There are SO many fantastic organizations in Vermont conserving land, building trail systems, and maintaining the ones we've got.
How can you help?
Donate - Much like public radio…a lot of us use these trails, but a very small percentage of pedestrians (hikers, runners, dog walkers) contribute to their funding. Every little bit helps - if each of us gave $5 to those who maintain the trails we use every year, it’d be a huge boost in their budget and will come full circle as it’ll go directly to improving and expanding our natural playgrounds.
Volunteer - These organizations will happily accept your help maintaining and building new trails. Often there are ways to help even if you don’t have experience or tools - get in touch with them, and they’ll show you the ropes! We also hope to collaborate on some LTRC trail days this spring!
Advocate - Support land conservation and trail access by attending town meetings or hearings. Vermont’s extensive land trust organization are another way to preserve the farm and forestlands we are so accustomed to wandering through!
Check Conditions - Traveling on wet trails after a storm (or particularly - during the snow melt / mud season in spring) can cause extensive damage that takes months to repair. Foot travel does less damange than bikes, however there are still seasons or post-storm times when none of us should be out there. Remember to check trail conditions before heading out. The way to do this varies - check the website for the managing organization. Many MTB trail areas use TrailForks and have links to “Trail Conditions” on their websites.
Respect Trail Rules - Always follow signage including areas closed to public access, trail closures and parking area restrictions. Future access to the trails depends on it!
Be Kind - Treat every person you cross paths with along the trails as if they are the landowners…because they might be. This is not an exaggeration! Several trails have been closed in recent years due to folks recreating being rude to people who…turned out to be the ones that owned the land and allowed them to play on them in the first place. Obviously, this does not go over well.
Scroll through our slides below for more information on why maintenance and advocacy are needed and what you can do to support our trails. You can find more information and direct links to some of the many, MANY trail organizations that we can thank for the wealth of incredible running, hiking, skiing, mountain biking trails we have in Vermont on our support page linked below.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
