CONCORD – July 1, 2014— The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests and N.H. State Parks are hosting the 9th Annual Monadnock Trails Week from July 11-15. Volunteers are invited to join conservation professionals and trail maintainers to help restore degraded hiking trails on Mount Monadnock during the five-day event.
“Monadnock Trails Week is entirely powered by volunteers,” said Forest Society Land Steward Specialist Carrie Deegan, who organizes the event. “This is a great opportunity to learn about trail construction and maintenance, and help to keep the trails on Mount Monadnock in good condition. It’s a great way to give back to a mountain that has provided so much enjoyment for New Hampshire residents and visitors over the years.”
No prior trail work experience is required to volunteer, but those under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or adult supervisor, and the heavy-duty trail work completed during trails week is not recommended for those under 13.
This year, groups of volunteers will be constructing bog bridges on the Lost Farm Trail, new stone staircases on the Pumpelly Trail, replacing timber waterbars (drainages) on the White Dot Trail, and cleaning and repairing drainages on the Dublin and Marlboro Trails, among other projects. Volunteers are welcome to participate for one day or several, and complimentary camping is available for volunteers at Monadnock State Park’s headquarters campground.
Mount Monadnock is one of the most-climbed mountains in the western hemisphere. In 1915 the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests conserved its first tract of 406 acres on Mount Monadnock, beginning a long-term effort to protect the natural integrity of the mountain and its surroundings. Since then, the Forest Society has acquired more than 4,000 acres at Mount Monadnock and Gap Mountain in the towns of Dublin, Marlborough, Troy and Jaffrey. The Forest Society leases much of this land to the State to be operated as Mount Monadnock State Park.
For more information or to volunteer, contact Carrie Deegan at cdeegan@forestsociety.org or call 603-224-9945.
Founded in 1901, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests is the state’s oldest and largest non-profit land conservation organization. Supported by 10,000 families and businesses, the Forest Society’s mission is to perpetuate the state’s forests by promoting land conservation and sustainable forestry. For more information, visit www.forestsociety.org.