The Adopt-a-Trail manual addresses the work accomplished in the Adopt-a-Trail program. This manual is meant to acquaint the maintainer with park procedures, duties involved in adopting a trail, and methods for safely performing those duties.
The information that is gathered by Adopt-a-Trail teams will be utilized by the National
Park Service in the following ways:
Maintenance staff will follow-up to repair trail surface, structural problems, and signage concerns reported to them.
Interpretation, Education & Visitor Services rangers will replace maps and information that is reported missing, faded, or incorrect on bulletin boards and kiosks.
Visitor & Resource Protection rangers will ensure protection of resources by responding to reports of resource degradation and violations, and serious injuries or illness.
Resource Management staff will respond to reports of resource disturbance.
NPS staff will use information about dumpsite locations to target these sites for clean-ups by staff and/or volunteers.
Published January 2011
The National Park Service (NPS) was created in 1916 and today manages over 390 units found in all 50 states and some of the U.S. territories. NPS supports and operates trails in three interlocking arenas: trails in parks, technical assistance to States and communities, and administration of much of the National Trails System.
Celebrating Women Who Care for Trails
posted Mar 14, 2023
Cathy Corlett, American Trails Director of Strategic Communications, joined Trailkeepers of Oregon's women-only trail work party to find out more about the work being done and the women who opt to spend their Sunday working on the trail, even when the weather conditions are less than ideal.
posted May 3, 2022
This manual was created to accompany the Crew Leader training program developed by the Ozark Trail Association (OTA). It serves as an aid to volunteer Crew Leaders working with other volunteers to build and maintain single-track natural surface trails in the Ozarks region of Missouri. This manual is designed to serve as a baseline for trail construction and maintenance and as an introduction to leading small groups of volunteers on natural surface trail construction and maintenance events.
National River Cleanup® Organizers Handbook
posted Jul 26, 2021
American Rivers makes it easy for you to get involved. This National River Cleanup Handbook will provide all the information you need to organize a river cleanup.
FAQ: Apps for Trail Management and Volunteers
posted May 19, 2021
Information on apps that can be used for trail management that would be suitable for volunteer-type organizations.
