Trail Volunteer Training

The Otsego County Conservation Association, in conjunction with Otsego Outdoors, is offering a Trail Volunteer Training on April 22, 2023, at Basswood Pond State Forest in Burlington, NY.

This event was scheduled for March 25, and then April 1, but due to trail conditions and a rainy forecast, we are postponing to April 22. (Registered participants will be notified on April 20 to confirm the event will go on April 22.)

The goal is to have trained volunteers adopt portions of hiking trails at Basswood Pond State Forest, Arnold Lake State Forest, and Milford State Forest. The April 22 training will cover basic trail maintenance and New York Department of Environmental Conservation rules and regulations.

Pre-registration is required at https://occainfo.org/calendar/trail-volunteers-training/ Registered participants will receive information on where to meet and what to bring prior to the event.

“This is a great way to enjoy our many trails on whole different level,” said Jeff O’Handley, program director for OCCA. “Having regular trail volunteers will go a long way toward keeping these wonderful resources in good condition for all.”

Tom Walsh of Worcester is a trail volunteer as Basswood Pond State Forest. “The more trails we have cleaned up, the more places we have for people to hike,” he said. Walsh will participate in the training.

“We are glad to promote this important volunteer opportunity and to work with OCCA and the DEC to improve trails in Otsego County,” said Peg Odell, program and communications manager at Otsego 2000, which manages Otsego Outdoors.

Otsego Outdoors, a collaborative program of OCCA, Otsego 2000, the Otsego Land Trust, and the Butternut Valley Alliance, promotes publicly accessible trails, bike routes and waterways in and near Otsego County. Participating in Otsego Outdoors Octet Challenges, people have completed more than 5,400 hikes, bike rides, and paddles since February 2021. Otsego Outdoors also publicizes outdoor events, outdoor organizations and businesses, and volunteer opportunities. For more information, see otsegooutdoors.org,