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Workshops
Onsite locations will be available when you pick up your packet at the Conference.
Click on the Title field to see more information about each workshop.
Registration Code | Title | Body | Presenter | Workshop slot | Workshop track |
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W0520 | Catskill Forest Health at Siuslaw Model Forest |
Siuslaw Model Forest - Cornell Cooperative Extension Route 23 Acra, New York 12405 ( The program is offsite and starts at 11:00 am which is 1 hour from the New Paltz campus.) Catskill Forest Health with a focus on woodland health, biodiversity, past and present management including the use of agroforestry and best management practices. |
Pamela Price, Environment & Natural Resource Program Coordinator, Tracey Testo-Smith, Agroforestry and Natural Resource Program Educator | Fri. 11am-2pm | Nature & Environment |
W0522 | NYNJTC Conservation Dogs Demonstration |
It’s well known that dogs are our best friends, but not everyone realizes that they can also be ecologists’ best tools. The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference put this idea to the test with the founding of the Conservation Dogs Program in 2018. Our dogs know how to detect 8 invasive species as well as a native species of concern, the wood turtle. Learn about the program's efforts to help partners in the Hudson Valley achieve both invasive species management and conservation focused goals using the conservation detection dog method, as well as see the dogs in action! |
Joshua Beese, Arden Blumenthal | Fri. 3-5pm | Trail Maintenance & Management |
W0546 | Beyond the Climate Crisis: The Journey to Environmental Justice |
A New Deal for Youth is a youth-led, youth-centered effort advocating for the creation of new systems, policies, investments, and structures that reimagine life for young people in America. New Deal for Youth Changemakers consist of young leaders between the ages of 14 and 32 from across the country who advocate and organize across a range of issues facing their communities. In this conversation, you will learn more about New Deal for Youth and our Environmental Justice policy demands from three Changemakers. Last year, Changemakers developed a set of Environmental Justice policy demands. Recognizing the disproportionate environmental burden marginalized communities bear, our demands work towards the just distribution of decision-making and resources to foster authentic community-oriented solutions. We advocate for Indigenous self-determination, shifting power to marginalized communities, holding corporations accountable, healing-centered culturally responsive physical and mental health care, and the creation of quality green jobs. This year, ND4Y Changemakers are working on making these demands happen through federal legislative advocacy, federal administrative advocacy, grassroots organizing, and public awareness. During this one-hour conversation, our Changemakers will share their own environmental justice advocacy journeys and discuss how young people can drive policy change. Changemakers will share advice for other young leaders and activists hoping to get more involved in environmental justice advocacy. This panel will be informal and conversational – we look forward to engaging with the audience and answering your questions! |
Moderator: Kayla Tawa, CLASP Policy Analyst, Panelists: Brenda Perez, ND4Y Changemaker, Robert Lawrence, ND4Y Changemaker | Fri. 3:30-5pm | Nature & Environment |
W0547 | Appalachian National Scenic Trail Capital Plan Project Submittal Process |
Learn everything you need to know to request and track an Appalachian National Scenic Trail (APPA) funded project through the Capital Plan. We will explore what makes a competitive project submittal, available funding sources, how funds are transferred to ATC and Clubs, the tools used to request projects, and the life cycle (concept-to-completion) of projects managed through the APPA Capital Planning process. |
Presenters – APPA Facility Manager Keith Stegall and APPA Facility Operations Specialists Jessica Linback and Alessandra Hayes | Fri. 3:30-5pm | Management & Professional |
W0548 | An Examination of the Historic Resources of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and its Listing in the National Register of Historic Places |
In this presentation, we will examine the historic contexts of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (ANST) from conception to the present and describe one of the largest and most complex efforts undertaken by the National Park Service (NPS) to document and list a historic property in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Stepping in time through six distinct historic periods beginning with the outdoor recreation and the hiking club movements of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and the initial promotion of a long-distance hiking trail along the Appalachian Mountain Range, we will trace the evolution of the Appalachian Trail from initial concept through what is today the world’s best-known long distance hiking trail, highlighting noteworthy places, people, and events. We will cap the presentation with an update on the current status of this multi-year project and discuss how a NRHP listing serves to inform trail management decisions and strengthen protection of resources. |
Jim Von Haden, Jo Holt, Bethany Serafine | Fri. 3:30-5pm | The AT Experience |
W0549 | Trail Talk From an Old Dirt Kicker |
People have long been curious about those who leave the comforts and familiarity of home to venture into remote places around the globe for extended periods of time. In his 50+ years of backcountry travel, J.R. has been asked a lot of questions about these journeys. In this lively, interactive presentation, he will address the six topics or issues that people are most curious about. These include motivation, fear, attitude, wildlife, being alone, and overall impact. To address each topic, J.R. will take you on one of his many extraordinary worldwide treks where that particular topic was relevant, and tell you a brief story, with photo images, that clarifies and illuminates that topic. |
J. Robert "J.R." Harris, Founder of Brokenbo Wilderness Expeditions | Fri. 3:30-5pm | Other Trails and Adventures |
W0601 | Qi Gong & Tai Chi for Balance & Flexibility |
We will run though some gentle exercise routines designed to promote flexibility and balance, great for before and/or after hiking. |
Georgette Weir | Sat. 8:00am | Health & Safety |
W0602 | Implementing the Visual Resource Inventory: Documenting and Evaluating Views Along the A.T. (Part 1) Please also register for W0733 Part 2 which is offsite. |
Note: This is the first session of a two session workshop. The second session will be a field experience, is on Sunday at 9:45 am. Please also register for W0733.Implementing the Visual Resource Inventory Attendees will learn about the Visual Resource Inventory initiative to document all views along the trail, the role volunteers can fill, and gain practical experience learning how. This workshop consists of a 2 hour (or 90 minute, as the schedule allows) classroom training, followed by a field experience to implement what they learned. Attendees must attend the classroom training in order to join for the field component. |
Pamela Roy | Sat. 8:00am | Management & Professional |
W0603 | Green Corridor: Conserving the Appalachian Trail Beyond the Footpath |
How conservation groups are working in partnership to help protect the greater scenic and ecological landscape that surrounds the AT, which keeps the lands and the AT experience wild. Hiking the A.T. is a wild experience right now. The landscape around the AT is a climate resilient "green corridor" that helps wildlife as well as people move, but much of those lands are unprotected, and development pressures are high. Learn what conservation groups---from federal funds and national nonprofits to county-focused volunteers---are doing to protect the greater AT landscape. |
Nicole Wooten | Sat. 8:00am | Trail Maintenance & Management |
W0604 | Leave No Trace Awareness Workshop |
Interested in learning more about minimizing your impact when recreating outdoors? Join the Trail Conference for a fun and interactive workshop about how to practice Leave No Trace principles. |
Myra Romano | Sat. 8:00am | Trail Maintenance & Management |
W0605 | Gear: Choosing what's right for you! |
We will lead a discussion based on the necessary gear needed to hike anywhere from one mile to the entire AT. We will touch on tents, sleeping bags, Backpacks, stoves, and everything else. |
Dave MacDonald | Sat. 8:00am | Management & Professional |
W0606 | The Woods Trail: A Stone Staircase Emerges |
Note: This workshop is offsite. It will extend until lunch.Tour a project completed by The Jolly Rovers Trail Crew, Inc. on the Hudson Valley Rail Trail (Part of the Empire State Trail). Learn the details of the problems encountered and how they were overcome. Participants should meet at 8:15 in the parking lot of: Participants should wear appropriate attire as we will be walking 1/4 mile East from the parking lot on the Hudson Valley Rail Trail to the stone staircase. Participants may wish to bring something to sit on. We will conclude the workshop at 11:00 to give participants time to walk back to their cars. The Jolly Rovers Trail Crew, Inc. is an all volunteer, 5013(C) trail crew who specialize in stonework. https://www.jollyrovers.org/.
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Artie Hidalgo, Jolly Rovers Trail Crew, Inc. | Sat. 8:00am | Trail Maintenance & Management |
W0607 | From Day Hike to Overnight and Beyond: Physical Preparation for overnight and Multi-Day Hikes |
This presentation introduces the basic components of physical preparation and training needed to help you hike further and longer than you have before. Emphasis is on simple, enjoyable, and flexible training that will help you reach higher peaks and longer multi-day trips. Workshop will include exercise instruction, demonstration and practice. |
Ben Hendrickson | Sat. 9:45am | Health & Safety |
W0609 | Staying Found |
Lessons learned from the Search for Gerry Largay and other hikers who needed assistance.
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Dennis Haug, Co-Owner WIFM Survival | Sat. 9:45am | Health & Safety |
W0610 | Succession Planning: Learn Some Tricks on How to "Pass the Torch" to Another Volunteer--a Hands on Workshop |
No one stays in a position forever. They can leave suddenly or give you advanced notice. Learn what steps to take to include sucession planning in your volunteer management. |
Jane Daniels | Sat. 9:45am | Management & Professional |
W0611 | Addressing High Use: Environmental & Trail Stewardship Initiatives on the Breakneck Ridge Trail and in Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve |
Environmental & Trail Stewardship Initiatives on the Breakneck Ridge Trail and others in the Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve |
Lauren Martin | Sat. 9:45am | Nature & Environment |
W0612 | The Woods Trail: A Stone Staircase Emerges |
Note: This session is a continuation from the W0606. This session will likely go into lunchtime. |
Jolly Rovers | Sat. 9:45am | Trail Maintenance & Management |
W0613 | Map and Compass Navigation and the Sport of Orienteering - An Outdoor Demonstration |
Map and compass navigation and the sport of orienteering. Starting inside, you will be introduced to the sport of orienteering. You will learn about compass & map reading skills followed by outdoor practice. If you have a compass, bring it. Compasses will be available to participants to borrow. |
Geoffrey Connor | Sat. 1:45pm | Other Trails and Adventures |
W0614 | Ridge runners, Patrollers and Managing Trail Use |
A seasoned ridge runner, volunteer patroller and group camping manager on the Southern New England portion of the Appalachian Trail, Adam shares his experiences helping to manage trail use and hikers during a typical year. |
Adam Lippman, Weekend Ridgerunner/Volunteer Patroller/Group Camping Registrar - AMC CT Chapter and AMC Southern New England Regional Trails | Sat. 1:45pm | The AT Experience |
W0615 | Training, trauma, ticks, and the trots: Basic Wilderness Medicine for the Hiker |
The term "Wilderness Medicine" conjures up visions of complex injuries and high-tech evacuations. In reality, the vast majority of back country medical problems are mundane events which are only consequential by virtue of occurring in a remote location. In this interactive, fast-paced workshop, participants will be introduced to such important concepts as physical preparation for hiking and other back country pursuits; the most common illness and injuries encountered in the wilderness (including tick borne illnesses) and their prevention and management; the importance of back country sanitation and hygiene. There will be plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion, and study guides for further reading will be provided. |
Tom Welch, MD | Sat. 1:45pm | Health & Safety |
W0616 | The Technology Behind Outdoor Footwear |
A brief workshop for hikers and outdoors-people who are interested in learning more about the technology and science behind some of their favorite shoe models from Merrell. |
Conor Krueger, Field Marketing Specialist at Merrell | Sat. 1:45pm | Management & Professional |
W0617 | Tick-borne Diseases in NYS and their Prevention |
This presentation will focus on tick-borne diseases included diseases commonly found in New York State and ways to prevent against acquiring tick-borne illness. Ms. White will provide an overview of ticks and tick-borne disease in New York State including information on tick identification, signs and symptoms of tick-borne disease, and personal protective measures that can be taken to prevent tick-borne illness. |
Jennifer White, Director, Vector-borne Disease Program | Sat. 1:45pm | Health & Safety |
W0618 | Recruitment: How to Find a Hoard or Hundreds or That Special Someone for Volunteer Positions |
A volunteer powered organization must constantly recruit - whether it is for episodic volunteers, roles with on-going but few hours per year, or positions with responsibility. Any position with volunteer management responsibilities is involved with recruiting whether making the ask or filling a position with someone who is interested. No single recruiting method works best to fill every volunteer position. What works for recruiting many people for the same job is different than recruiting for a trail leadership position. This interactive workshop will include case studies and role playing that will help you recruit quality volunteers. |
Jane Daniels | Sat. 3:30pm | Management & Professional |
W0619 | AT Experience Panel - Thru Hiking Compared to Section Hiking and More |
This will be a moderated discussion comparing thru hiking to section hiking. We expect the discussion to go way beyond this topic with the idea of what it is like to do a long distance hike. |
Moderator: Rose Bonanno, Panelists: Moe Lemire, Tara Spear, Taylor Manson, Ryan Seltzer, Ed Spoon, Fred Stern, Cara Gentry, Michael Pashley | Sat. 3:30pm | The AT Experience |
W0621 | Women Leaders Roundtable |
Please join the Wild East Women in a lively conversation with women leaders from ATC and trail clubs up and down the Appalachian Trail. Together we will explore successes, challenges, and promising approaches to encouraging more women to rise up as adventurers, trail stewards, and leaders. |
Marit Anderson, Delia Clark | Sat. 3:30pm | Management & Professional |
W0644 | Crowdsourcing Flower Phenology along the Appalachian Trail Mega Transect: iNaturalist a tool for everyone |
Learn how you can contribute to the Appalachian Mountain Club’s plant phenology study on the Appalachian Trail. We will have a short introduction of our climate change science, plant phenology as a climate indicator, review some plants we are targeting, and then hands on instructions on using iNaturalist on your next A.T. hike. Please download the free iNaturalist app (www.inaturalist.org) on your smart phone and sign up with an account before the meeting. We will make observations and add them to the AMC’s iNaturalist project filling in the plant stages so our scientist can use the data in their work to understand climate change impacts across the trail. |
Danielle Guttman, AMC Conservation Outreach Manager, Mid-Atlantic | Sat. 3:30pm | Nature & Environment |
W0645 | Oh, the Things you can do! Find an A.T. Volunteer Opportunity for you. |
Join ATC for a discovery session on the ways in which individuals (like you!) can volunteer to care for and support the Appalachian Trail. Intended to help participants explore how to match your interest, skills, and available time, with ways that support the A.T. This session is intended for emerging volunteers, anyone interested in becoming part of the A.T. volunteer family. The session includes an introduction to the A.T. Volunteer Engagement Platform and the legacy of civic engagement in A.T. stewardship. |
Alivia Acosta | Sat. 3:30pm | Management & Professional |
W0705 | Staying Found |
Lessons learned from the Search for Gerry Largay and other hikers who needed assistance. |
Dennis Haug, Co-Owner WIFM Survival | Sun. 8:00am | Health & Safety |
W0723 | Qi Gong & Tai Chi for Balance & Flexibility |
We will run though some gentle exercise routines designed to promote flexibility and balance, great for before and/or after hiking. |
Georgette Weir | Sun. 8:00am | Health & Safety |
W0725 | Identifying Visitor and Resource Protection Issues |
Presentation will focus on the non-law enforcement staff and volunteer response to incidents encountered along the trail. Topics will include jurisdiction and authority (educating local law enforcement), scene safety, interpersonal contacts, dealing with witnesses, archeological sites, crime scene identification and reporting. |
Kurt Speers, Acting Chief Ranger, APPA, Ranger Wilson | Sun. 8:00am | Management & Professional |
W0726 | Leading A.T. Volunteers for Optimal Results |
Mobilizing and sustaining a network of volunteers takes work! This session will identify systems and support for leaders that help optimize the volunteers they engage and offer ideas for preparing future leaders. Discover adaptive and systematic ways that honor each unique individuals contributions, interest, and skills. This session is intended for volunteer leaders, or individuals interested in leading volunteers, to gain the tools they need to lead A.T. volunteers for optimal results. |
Alivia Acosta | Sun. 8:00am | Management & Professional |
W0727 | Tuscarora Trail: A lesser traveled trail |
In the early 1960s a real possibility existed that the Appalachian Trail would not be able to be maintained due to the closing of the trail by private land owners. This 254 mile, bypass route of the Appalachian Trail from Pennsylvania to Virginia was not needed once the AT’s route was assured. Come and learn how this a first class trail is like the AT 30 years ago and the secrets of either thru-hiking or section hiking it from Rush Williamson who has thru-hike the trail. |
Rush Williamson, Trail Volunteer | Sun. 8:00am | Other Trails and Adventures |
W0728 | Caring For Trails in Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve |
The Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve, starting just 30 miles north of Manhattan, contains some of the most beautiful scenery in the entire Hudson Valley. The park has an extensive network of over 70 miles of trails, almost none of which are "easy." The park includes the scramble up Breakneck Ridge which is thought to be the most heavily visited day hike in the Northeast and which even has its own Metro North train station at the trailhead for easy access from New York City. This talk gives an overview of the park and then focuses on caring for and maintaining the northern section of the park. The New York New Jersey Trail Conference (NYNJTC) maintains the hiking trails in close cooperation with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. We describe NYNJTC's Stewards program for hiker education at busy trailheads such as Breakneck. NYNJTC also coordinates and trains Americorps teams of trail builders which build improvements such as stone steps and better drainage to the existing network of trails to make them more sustainable. We also describe the roles of NYNJTC's volunteer maintainers and supervisors in routine trail maintenance as well as a recent re-bazing effort in conjunction with a map update to simplify the trail network. |
Melissa Cascini, NY/NJ TC NY Program Coordinator, Philip Heidelberger, HH NorthTrails Supervisor | Sun. 9:45am | Trail Maintenance & Management |
W0729 | Safe and Ethical Foraging on the Trail |
Hikers and volunteers who spend a lot of time outdoors have probably passed over many tasty treats. This program will go over some commonly encountered plants & fungi, how to eat them safely, and to make sure their populations remain healthy. |
Taro Ietaka, Recreation Supervisor | Sun. 9:45am | Nature & Environment |
W0730 | The history, evolution and current state of privies along the A.T. |
The history, evolution and current state of privies along the A.T. |
Morgan Sommerville, Ilana Copel, Joe Roman | Sun. 9:45am | Trail Maintenance & Management |
W0731 | Hiking Safety |
"What's in your kit?" Are you prepared for a physical or environmental emergency? If you are well equipped, informed and prepared you'll be better off dealing with any risks that may arise on the trail. |
Donna Chapman, Dutchess Putnam AT Management Committee Chair. | Sun. 9:45am | Health & Safety |
W0732 | Trail-side Photography |
Elements of photography relevant to hikers |
David Margulis | Sun. 9:45am | Nature & Environment |
W0733 | Implementing the Visual Resource Inentory |
Note: This is the second session. This will be outdoors. It will run into lunch.
Attendees will learn about the Visual Resource Inventory initiative to document all views along the trail, the role volunteers can fill, and gain practical experience learning how. This workshop consists of a 2 hour (or 90 minute, as the schedule allows) classroom training, followed by a field experience to implement what they learned. Attendees must attend the classroom training in order to join for the field component. |
Pamela Roy | Sun. 9:45am | Management & Professional |
W0734 | A.T. Food Storage Best Practice |
Bear canisters are the food storage method with the most surety and flexibility for camping anywhere along the A.T. Find out why. |
Morgan Sommerville, ATC Director of Visitor Use Management | Sun. 1:45pm | Health & Safety |
W0735 | What are A.T. Communities? |
Using AT Community outreach to engage and Educate Volunteers. Learn about how a network of designated communities along the A.T. support and advocate for the A.T. and best practices for building and sustaining the network. |
Donna Chapman | Sun. 1:45pm | Management & Professional |
W0736 | Maintaining the Appalachian Trail – the work of individual maintainers and trail crews |
This workshop will give you insight into the work done by the large number of volunteers who maintain the AT and will serve as an introduction for those who are interested in becoming trail maintainers. Find out about the techniques and tools used by individual maintainers to keep the trail corridor clear of overgrowth, maintain blazing, and deal with water problems on the trail. I will also discuss the techniques used by trail crews to clear fallen trees, build puncheon and simple boardwalks, and repair or replace stream crossings. |
Michael Pashley, East Hudson Regional Trails Council Chair | Sun. 1:45pm | Trail Maintenance & Management |
W0737 | Making the Maps: Trail Map History and Creation at the New York New Jersey Trail Conference |
New York New Jersey Trail Conference cartographer Jeremy Apgar describes the history of trail mapping at the Trail Conference, how maps are created today, and how volunteers play a significant role in the production of each map. Also learn about exciting ways to use their latest digital maps with the popular Avenza Maps mobile app. |
Jeremy Apgar, Cartographer | Sun. 1:45pm | Management & Professional |
W0738 | World Trails Network |
Learn about the World Trails Network, an internationally representative association of the world’s leading trails and trail destinations. As a globally active network of diverse and engaged trails, we each work in our own regions to further the interests and sustainability of trails for the benefit of all. This workshop will explore opportunities to connect, such as the upcoming international trails film festival, the international conference, and the Hub for the Americas - doing work along the A.T.! |
Delia Clark, Nat Scrimshaw, Julie Judkins | Sun. 1:45pm | Other Trails and Adventures |
W0739 | Monitoring the Appalachian Trail Corridor - using technology to guide our way |
The Appalachian Trail is one of the longest and skinniest units of the National Park system. Today, the entirety to the Trail is now on protected public lands. But that was not always the case. Beginning in the 1970s, the National Park Service began one of the most challenging and complex land acquisition projects ever undertaken. Come learn more about this land acquisition project which now makes up the A.T. corridor and what you can do to help steward this valuable resource. We are now using smartphones and GPS to make this work even more exciting! |
Ryan Seltzer, Land Stewardship Program Manager, Jim Haggett, Co-chair Dutchess Putnam AT Committee | Sun. 3:30pm | Trail Maintenance & Management |
W0740 | Appalachian National Scenic Trail Visitor Use Management |
Visitor Use Management (VUM) is one of the six focus areas in ATC's new Strategic Plan. Find out what VUM is, why its important, and how it will enhance A.T. management. |
Morgan Sommerville, ATC Director of Visitor Use Management, Monica Mogilewsky, Visitor Use Management Data Manager | Sun. 3:30pm | Management & Professional |
W0741 | Birds on the A.T. |
Birds on the A.T. Presentation covering the biodiversity of birds along the various habitats of the Appalachian Trail, along with focusing on some particularly significant breeding habitat along the NYS section of the Appalachian Trail.
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Kyle Bardwell, Project Engineer- Civil Environmental | Sun. 3:30pm | Nature & Environment |
W0742 | Guided Invasive and Native Plant ID Walk |
Interested in learning about what types of plants are growing in our region's natural areas? Want to know how to spot some of the common and emerging invasive plants that are threatening our forested parklands? This guided hike will provide you with the skills and eye for basic plant identification including the key features of some common native and invasive trees and shrubs. You will also be introduced to and can practice using some really helpful and easy-to-use nature ID apps along the way. It's the perfect way to take your nature experience to the next level and learn about the diversity of life along the trails. |
Brent Boscarino, Lower Hudson Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) Coordinator | Sun. 3:30pm | Nature & Environment |
W0743 | Appalachian National Scenic Trail Facility Update Process and WebApp |
Utilizing a hands-on approach, attendees will learn the ins and outs of the current Appalachian National Scenic Trail (APPA) Facility Updating Tools and how to get the most out of the APPA Facility WebApp to help onboard new staff and volunteers, plan projects, and analyze and share facility data. This is intended to be an interactive session, so please bring your laptops and smartphones. |
Jessica Linback, Alessandra Hayes, and Matt Robinson | Sun. 3:30pm | Management & Professional |