Land Management Volunteer Roles
PATC has acquired and manages thousands of acres of land in four states. PATC acquires properties to protect viewsheds and provide parking and access to trails and cabins. PATC has also acquired tracts of land from deceased members to protect the land from development. Often, PATC land acquisitions are done in partnership with government land managers.
Lands/Tracts Manager
PATC needs volunteers that will manage one or more tracts of PATC land.
PATC land managers monitor their assigned properties checking for encroachment, litter, damage and accessibility. The PATC land managers will also work with adjacent property owners to manage easements, access points and any other issues. PATC land managers may also work as a team to identify and recommend other land acquisitions.
PATC Land managers need to visit the properties they manage 3-4 times a year. All work trips should be reported to the Supervisor of Lands. The land manager identifies issues and works with PATC leadership to develop and implement solutions. PATC land managers need to be able to do a comprehensive review of their properties and keep them safe – many properties are in remote locations.
Corridor Management
The A.T. follows a narrow corridor of mostly publicly owned land as it makes it way from Maine to Georgia. In 1978, the National Park Service (NPS) and Appalachian Trail Park Office began the task of purchasing the privately owned lands needed to provide a protected corridor for the trail. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) coordinates monitoring of state and federal lands within established forests and parks, but delegates monitoring of NPS lands to the local maintaining clubs. PATC has responsibility for NPS corridor lands from Pine Grove Furnace State Park (Pennsylvania) to Rock Fish Gap (Virginia).
Corridor Monitors are responsible for patrolling their assigned section on a regular basis, placing appropriate signs, and filing reports for ATC and PATC.
The Monitors must be familiar with special use permits, reserved rights, conditions of easements, and other factors that regulate the use of corridor lands acquired by NPS. Monitors report changes in land use, damage from natural causes, and threats to scenic, cultural, or historical features contained within their assigned sections. Corridor Monitors must be able to navigate the corridors safely.
Volunteering with the Lands Committee:
Natural Resources: Natural resource volunteers are involved in a variety of activities that preserve and protect the native landscapes surrounding our trails. Among the activities are rare plant inventory and monitoring, invasive species monitoring and control, and native landscape restoration. Training opportunities and workshops are scheduled periodically throughout the year. For more information, contact the Natural Resource Advisor.
Overview:
These positions are great for volunteers who like to be outside and work with their hands. Trail maintenance can be anything from simple weeding and pruning to blowdown cleanup, controlling erosion, painting blazes, building/moving trails and coordinating group efforts. There are opportunities to work by yourself by adopting a trail segment. We have trails from central Virginia to central Pennsylvania. Training is provided.
Where Can I Volunteer?
Location: If you live in our territory, you can find a trail near you. Alternatively, you can maintain a trail that will give you opportunities for trips to the mountains. See the list of the parks and other places where the PATC maintains trails. You can also look at the trail districts.
Difficulty:
There are short, easy trail sections with no hike in, and there are long, difficult sections that require a long hike just to start working. Each has its own appeal. You can seek the kind of trail you want.
Requirements:
- Safety oriented
- Follows protocols including reporting
- Comfortable hiking 3-5 miles with tools
- Able to use primitive and modern tools
What to consider before starting your volunteering
- What region do you want to work in or how far can you travel?
- Did you want to work alone (maintain a trail segment) or work in a group (trail crew)?
- Do you want to volunteer on the weekend or during weekdays.
- What skills do you currently have?
- Are you a member of PATC?
How do I Begin Volunteering?
Those interested in helping with the stewardship of the club's lands should contact the Supervisor of Lands.