Frequently Asked Questions
That totally depends on what the trail needs and what you are interested in. The work can be as simple as hiking/riding your trail twice a year and reporting back what you find. Or it can be as complicated as organizing a weeklong trail project to remove downed trees. It’s up to you. The minimum is at least being on the trail twice a year and reporting back the current conditions.
The Forest Service does require specific training in order to Adopt A Trail. The specific training depends on what sort of work you plan on doing. AAT Program will provide each volunteer with the necessary training which can be accomplished in as little as a few hours or up to a weekend, again depending on what type of work you want to do.
No cost to volunteer. You will have to provide your own transportation, food and general costs.
That’s great, thank you already! The AAT is not designed to stop other programs of work or deter existing trail organizations, rather it’s a tool to help enlist new volunteers and bring trail workers together under a larger program. Talk with your FS or organization contact and ask them about the AAT program.
Depending on where the trail is that you want to adopt, we’ll either make the necessary arrangements with that Ranger District or put you in contact with the appropriate trail organization for that region.
Absolutely. Depending on the length of the trail, some trails could use dozens of adopters. If a trail has more than one adopter we’d hope that the adopters would work together and communicate but there can certainly be more than one adopter per trail.
NO. The AAT program is open to all trail user-groups and anyone interested in helping the trails.
No problem. Like we said, all you need is a favorite trail and the desire to make it better. We’ll work with you to provide you with any tools and training you need to adopt your trail and work it safely.
We are working on creating AAT signage at trailhead where trails have been adopted. The signs would say something along the lines of “_____ Trail Adopted by _______”. For the time being the recognition will be featured on the website and any materials that are released. If you prefer anonymity, that will be respected as well.
The Forest Service has a list of ‘System Trails’, which are all open for adoption. There are limits as to what sort of work can be done on each trail based on local regulations. No easy answer here but if you have a favorite trail we’ll do the work needed to figure out if that trail is adoptable and what can be done along that trail.
In addition to feeling awesome after spending time in the forest helping, we’ll also host an end of the year BBQ and provide shirts and prizes for each of the adopters.
The AAT program is based on the calendar year. So if you adopt a trail it is yours until December 31. We would hope you’d sign on for another year after that…….
Yes. There is a way to donate money specifically to work a trail of your choice. We’ll work with you to ensure your donation goes to the appropriate organization in order to best help your trail.
Absolutely! There are a couple options: Your company could donate money in order to adopt a trail. That money would go towards supporting a trail crew who would work on your section of trail. Your company would be recognized as the adopter and receive a plaque in recognition. Second, think of this as a Habitat For Humanity but instead of building houses you are working the trail. Your company provides the volunteers and AAT provides the tools and leadership to design a team-building exercise where your employees spend a day outdoors work on trails. What could be better?