Trailhead Stewardship
The Catskill 3500 Club Collaborates with the NYSDEC to promote Leave No Trace principles
In the summer of 2021, the 3500 Club began a collaboration with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) through their newly initiated "Adopt-a-Trailhead" program. The program focuses on engaging with visitors to promote the Leave No Trace (LNT) principles, share relevant regulations, and communicate other pertinent information, in order to improve the sustainability of the parks’ lands and to promote safe hiking.
We are looking for members and aspirants (those who are starting their journey to hike the 37) to join the 3500 Trailhead Steward Program. Stewards will be at the Slide Mountain trailhead (on CR-47) and Woodland Valley trailhead, weekends and holidays, starting on the Memorial Day weekend through the Indigenous Peoples’ Day/Columbus Day weekend. To make this program successful, we are calling upon our volunteers to share their knowledge and experience with trailhead visitors. Volunteers should commit to at least two days during the season. These days can be two consecutive days, or they can be single days on different weekends. The Club has reserved a car camping spot at Woodland Valley for volunteers on several weekends.
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Trailhead Steward volunteer days count towards the Club Service Award. Steward patches are awarded to volunteers who serve as a steward at least two days in a year, with annual patch rockers for additional years.
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Participation at each site is limited to two volunteers per date, however the Club welcomes families of up to five to volunteer together. To volunteer as a family, please RSVP with one additional guest for the date(s) you're looking for, then include the names of up to three additional family members in your registration form.
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Please email the 3500 Trailhead Steward Program for more information on the required online or hybrid and in-the-field training, and to confirm your training completion. Reserve your volunteer dates here.
