Volunteer Trail Builders on NC s Mountains-to-Sea Trail Kate Dixon Executive Director Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail
What I plan to cover today Overview of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail How we assist government agencies with their trail Where we are working now How our volunteer crews are organized
Mountains-to-Sea Trail North Carolina s state trail. The trail is designed to show off many of the most special places in North Carolina. Stretches 1,000 miles from the Great Smokys to the Outer Banks. Part of State Park system. More than 500 miles of trail built. With temporary connectors on back roads, people now hike across the state.
How FMST helps Citizen-support group for the MST Organizes volunteers for trail building and other projects Builds support for the trail Helps land trusts and governments acquire easements and land for the trail Raises money from private sources Applies for state and federal grants Provides hiking information
The MST passes through 32 North Carolina counties 37 small towns and cities Highlights include: Great Smoky Mountains Mt. Mitchell Linville Gorge Pilot Mountain Eno River State Park Cape Hatteras Jockey s Ridge State Park
Statewide route of the MST Insert John s statewide map here. I suggest I speak first to give a broad overview and set you up to talk about specific places. I will say: 1) This State Parks map shows designated trail and ultimate trail where trail not designated (point out Falls Lake as example of built but not designated). 2) My goal then is to help them think about the trail in five sections two that are nearing completion (mountains and outer banks), one with a huge amount of progress (Guilford to Smithfield), and two where not much progress has been made although there is some local government interest (Stone Mt. to Pilot Mt. and Smithfield to Cedar Island). 3) I will then turn it over to you to give them details.
Official Route Stone Mtn to Greensboro
Biggest challenges Securing the trail route Funds to buy land and construct the trail Finding jobs for all the enthusiastic volunteers
Hiking the MST Thousands of people enjoy the MST every day. The vast majority are day-hikers.
Hiking the entire trail Some hike it all at once. Some section-hike it over time. Takes most hikers two to three months. Many blog about their journey. Beach hiking is hardest part.
People who have completed the trail More than 30 people have completed entire trail First to complete - Allen de Hart and Alan Householder in 1997 Numbers increasing 10 completed so far in 2012 Fastest completion 22 days
The Beginning: Clingmans Dome
The Finish Line: Jockey s Ridge
How decisions are made about the trail route State Parks contracts with regional council of governments (COG) to develop trail plan. The COG seeks input from citizens and local governments. These routes are broad-brush. Local governments vote to officially adopt the route. Detailed planning by local governments, FMST, land trusts and citizens.
What types of uses are allowed on the trail? The owner of the land that the trail is on determines who is allowed to use it. Most of the trail is only open for hiking. Two sections allow horses and another allows mountain-biking. Some new sections are paved city greenways.
What does trail look like? Most of the MST is a natural surface hiking trail. It is built and maintained by volunteers with hand tools. The tread is about 2 feet wide. Trees and shrubs are trimmed to create a clearing about 4 feet wide by 8 feet high.
How FMST works with land managers On average, 1000 volunteers work 18,000 hours per year on the MST. FMST volunteers maintain more than 400 miles of the 500 miles of completed MST. Volunteers build, on average, 15 new miles of natural surface trail each year at a cost of about $1000 per mile. To date, FMST volunteers are only maintaining natural surface sections of the MST.
How FMST works with land managers The land manager is the ultimate decisionmaker Whether to have the trail Where the trail is located What type of users may be on the trail (e.g., hikers, bikes, horses, ATVs) Time of use Adjacent land uses
How FMST works with land managers FMST Task Force Leader (lead volunteer) is main contact with land manager. Before undertaking any major work on trail, the TFL coordinates with the land manager. In most locations, the TFL Flags a trail route for approval Coordinates volunteers for construction and maintenance Reports major issues to land manager FMST and State Parks provide tools and materials for trail building although help is welcome from land managers
Land managers FMST works with National Park Service (Great Smoky Mountain, Blue Ridge Parkway, Cape Hatteras) National Forest Service (Nantahala, Pisgah, Croatan) State Parks (9 parks) Corps of Engineers (Falls Lake) NC Wildlife Resources Commission (Falls Lake) Local governments Private landowners
Local governments FMST has assisted to date Where volunteers build and maintain trail Greensboro/Guilford County Alamance County Durham City/County Wake County Other local governments we work with Swain County Jackson County Watauga Tourism Elkin/Surry County Orange County Raleigh Clayton Smithfield New Bern
How FMST volunteer crews are organized FMST appoints a volunteer Task Force Leader who is experienced in trail construction and good at motivating other volunteers The Task Force Leader (TFL) is responsible for coordinating with the landowner and for organizing workdays and managing volunteers
How FMST volunteer crews are organized FMST supports the work of TFLs with: Additional training about trail construction techniques, volunteer management, chainsaw safety and other topics that TFLs request information about Volunteer recruitment and publicity about workdays We seek their advice on important issues related to the trail and FMST We recognize their accomplishments in person, in newsletters, annual reports, the website and annual meeting.
Example Falls Lake Task Force 60 miles of trail on Falls Lake Land managers include US Army Corps of Engineers, NC Wildlife Resources Commission, State Parks, Wake County Parks, and UNC Botanical Garden Memorandum of Agreement lays out working relationship 25 miles of existing trail 35 miles built by FMST volunteers including Natural surface trail Bridges up to 32 feet Boardwalk/kiosks/signs one $200,000 bridge
Falls Lake Task Force (continued) Jeff Brewer is Task Force Leader for Falls Lake. When Jeff took on the job in 2006, 25 miles of were already built. Jeff agreed to lead volunteer effort to build the remaining 35 miles and maintain the entire 60- mile trail system. Jeff has built team of 20 volunteers who are each responsible for maintaining a 3-mile section hundreds of volunteers who help on bigger workdays
Falls Lake Task Force (continued) New Trail Construction Workdays Jeff and other experienced volunteers flag proposed trail route Jeff works with all land managing agencies to get approval for route before construction begins Monthly workdays schedule established in Fall of previous year Advertised workdays through growing Falls Lake e-mail list (now almost 500 names) Workplan for each work day so that all volunteers have meaningful work to do Experienced volunteers oversee smaller work groups Tools available for all volunteers As many as 110 people showed up for workdays One cookout and one holiday party for volunteers each year Volunteers who work more than 75 hours per year are recognized at annual meeting and annual report and receive a cap or t-shirt
Falls Lake Task Force (continued) Trail Maintenance Trail divided into 20 shorter sections Experienced volunteer in charge of each section Volunteers are expected to walk their section once per month and handle routine maintenance Volunteers report on problems on their section that are too big to handle alone. Jeff organizes six workdays per year to handle the maintenance issues identified by the section-leader volunteers Advertises these workdays to entire e-mail list Jeff and the section-leader volunteers meet once a year to discuss issues and to have dinner together One cookout on National Trails Day workday for all volunteers Recognition of all volunteers who work 75 hours or more
For more information about the Mountains-to-Sea Trail Visit our website www.ncmst.org Call Kate Dixon at 919-698-9024