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- Mount Monadnock,
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A volunteer during Monadnock Trails Week 2022.
KEENE, N.H. — For one week in July outdoor enthusiasts can give back to one of New Hampshire’s most beloved landscapes, Mt. Monadnock, and share in camaraderie and community through stewardship. To help keep Mt. Monadnock safe and welcoming for hikers, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests and New Hampshire State Parks will be hosting the 17th Annual Monadnock Trails Week, July 13-July 17, 2023. Trail improvement projects are planned all over the mountain in this weeklong event.
The Forest Society is the majority landowner of Mount Monadnock, holding more than 4,500 acres in the public interest. Forest Society-owned lands on Mt. Monadnock are leased to New Hampshire State Parks and together the organizations manage the park for the thousands of visitors that seek its year-round recreational opportunities.
Last year volunteers, Forest Society staff, and NH State Parks personnel logged 886 hours over the course of the week, greatly improving the trails and experience for all that hike Mt. Monadnock. This year volunteers will be able to work on a variety of trail maintenance projects on Mt. Monadnock and Gap Mountains, led by experienced and professional trail workers. Whether it is your first- or fiftieth time doing trail work, it’s a great opportunity to learn new skills, have fun, and do good work. Projects will range from basic maintenance to building trail structures from rock or wood.
Depending on volunteer interest, we will once again be hosting affinity crews (such as women, and LGBTQIA+ or youth crews) to help foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for people to get involved with trail work.
“Mt. Monadnock attracts outdoor enthusiasts from near and far,” states Jack Savage, president for the Forest Society. “With upwards of 125,000 visitors a year the trails are well loved, but don’t maintain themselves. If you have not volunteered for trail maintenance yet, it is a great learning experience, a great way to connect with new people, and you will leave with a deep appreciation of every step you take on a trail. The State Division of Parks and Recreation has been a great partner in helping us provide the best outdoor experience for visitors.”
“Since 1979, the state’s partnership with the Forest Society has been key to balancing the need for recreation and conservation of Mt. Monadnock,” states Brian Wilson, director for the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation. “The popularity of the mountain requires continued efforts to improve trail maintenance, manage the natural and cultural resources, and preserve the quality of the visitor’s experience. It’s amazing to watch volunteers come together in partnership with us to maintain and clean up public land and trails.”
How to Volunteer
No trail work experience is necessary; conservation professionals will lead groups to complete different projects. Come ready to work and learn about tool use and best practices for trail building. Tools and safety gear provided. Children 13-15 welcome with an adult guardian/supervisor; 16–17-year-olds must get signed parental permission form/waiver. People can participate for 1 or all days of the event; days run from 9am - 3pm. To sign up visit https://forestsociety.org/mtw. For more information or questions, please contact Laurel Swope-Brush at lswopebrush@forestsociety.org.
ABOUT THE FOREST SOCIETY
The Forest Society is a non-profit land trust and forestry organization established in 1901. The Forest Society owns over 191 forest reservations constituting 60,000 acres in over 100 New Hampshire communities. It also holds more than 750 conservation easements statewide permanently protecting an additional130,000 acres of New Hampshire’s scenic landscapes.
ABOUT THE DIVISION OF PARKS AND RECREATION
The Division of Parks and Recreation is comprised of the Bureau of Park Operations, Bureau of Historic Sites, Bureau of Trails, Bureau of Community Recreation and Cannon Mountain. The Division manages 93 properties, including state parks, beaches, campgrounds, historic sites, trails, waysides and natural areas. The Division of Parks and Recreation is one of five divisions of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. To learn more, visit www.nhstateparks.org, follow NH State Parks on Facebook and Twitter, or call 603-271-3556.
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