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Support Trails
$40
Produce 27 waterproof tear-resistance maps
$100
One day trip to visit State Legislature
$500
Train and support for volunteers for three days
We're out there when trails need us. Your gift now supports the work.
Effective March 16, Trail Conference Headquarters is closed until further notice. Our staff will attempt to process memberships and donation acknowledgements in a timely manner, but there will be delays in shipping. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]. We appreciate your patience during this time.
Trails and the land they traverse require care, responsible use and vigorous support by the people who enjoy them. The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, a 501c(3) not for profit organization, leads this effort in our region.
Charlie Cook Memorial Trails Fund
This dollar-for-dollar matching fund supports the Trail Conference’s public work educating the public and building, maintaining and protecting more than 2,100 miles of trails. This challenge grant honors the memory of longtime hike leader and friend of the trails, Charlie Cook.
Welch Trail Education Center Fund
Help support our rehabilitation of the Welch Trail Education Center to improve and increase housing for our 2020 Trail Conference Conservation Corps members.
Croton River Stewards Fund
Help support our first season of stewards at the Croton River to protect the sensitive ecosystem along the riverbank. Trail Conference stewards will engage with the visitors to encourage appropriate ways to enjoy this beautiful but very popular destination. With your support, the stewards can help this natural resource recover from the impacts of overuse while providing visitors with a cleaner, safer experience.
Zakim Family Tool & Signage Fund
The right trail building tools are priceless to our volunteers, enhancing their efficiency and morale and making our trails better. Trailside signage keeps hikers on the right path and improves their trail experience. Thanks to a generous 1:1 match from the Zakim family, your donation to the Zakim Tool & Signage Fund will be matched dollar for dollar. Total match limit: $5,000.
Conservation Dogs Fund
Our Conservation Dogs, Dia and Fagen, use their powerful sense of smell to find pests and weeds faster and more efficiently than humans can with eyesight. In the program’s pilot year, our dogs learned how to detect 3 invasive species, searched over 1.5 million square ft in 9 counties, and helped us remove over 2,000 invasive plants. With the help of dogs, we can increase the quantity and efficiency of our invasive species surveys, and with your generous support we can continue to grow this innovative program --- donate today!
Long-Distance Trails Memorial Fund
The Long-Distance Trails Memorial Fund was formed by the Trail Conference and our generous supporter and longtime volunteer Malcolm Spector to honor the memory of Jakob Franke, whose contributions to the Long Path and Shawangunk Ridge Trail were immeasurable.
Trail University of New Jersey Fund
Your gift to Trail University will improve the quality of trails by advancing the skills and productivity of our volunteers, staff and partners. Trail U, which won the NJ Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence, provides on-the-job training in all aspects of trail building and maintenance. Thanks to an anonymous donation, we are 1/3 of the way to our goal of $6,600. Please help us fully fund this important program with your gift today.
Multi-Use Trail Projects
Your donation will help fund the construction of sustainable multi-use trails in eastern Sterling Forest (Tuxedo, N.Y.) and nearby parks. The Sterling Forest trail network has already received critical acclaim as the region’s finest trail system for mountain biking, trail running and walking. Equestrian use is also planned for specific trails in this area.
Harriman-Bear Mountain Trails Improvement Project
Thanks to a generous 1:1 match from Michael Bruno, the Tuxedo Hudson Company, the Silman family and an anonymous foundation, your donation will fund the re-construction of Harriman’s most historic trails (Appalachian and Ramapo-Dunderberg Trails), which are eroding due to age and nearly a century of use. This project also honors the memory of Harry B. Silman, who helped build the volunteer movement and source tools to lay out and maintain Harriman’s trails, from the 1930’s to the 1980s.
Trail Angel Society
The purpose of our Trail Angel Society is to provide reliable income over the long term, through planned gifts such as bequests or other estate provisions that benefit the Trail Conference. The Society is open to anyone who confirms that the Trail Conference will benefit from their estate plan.
Become a Member
+ More Benefits
- Free Quarterly Newsletter
- Discounts on gear at Participating Retailers
- Free Workshops and Seminars
- Access to Trail Library with over 1000 books
- Donation Tax Receipt
Make a Difference
COUNTERACTING THE LOSS OF RESOURCES
Huge gaps in park funding exist for backcountry amenities such as trails and bridges. The Trail Conference plays a greater role than ever in filling those gaps through our volunteers, volunteer training and support, and outright capital expenditure. With support from caring people like you, we keep a growing network of over 2,100 miles of trails safe, open, and free for you to enjoy.
THE KEY INGREDIENTS OF "TRAIL MAGIC"
Volunteers have powered the Trail Conference for almost 100 years. The key ingredients of this "trail magic" are hard-working volunteers, state-of-the-art training and support from the Trail Conference, and financial support from people like you. As long as all three ingredients are present, our time-tested model keeps trail magic alive—efficiently, effectively, and sustainably.
THE IMPORTANCE OF "YOU"
It's up to outdoors-loving people who value the importance of connecting with nature to make sure our trails survive and thrive in the years ahead. Help us keep trails alive and growing by joining or donating to the Trail Conference. Your gift leverages the power of more than 1,800 volunteers and over 100,000 hours of donated labor, year after year. Let's make trails happen together!