New York-New Jersey Trail Conference

06/10/2026

Find solace in nature this summer...Join our Trail Ecology Survey and Monitor Volunteer program! Learn more at https://nynjtc.org/position-surveyor-volunteer/

You’ll help detect invasive (and native!) species while enjoying time on the trail.

Data collected by volunteers helps us:
🌱 Better understand the distribution of invasive species
⛏️ Work toward better management practices
🌳 Organize forest restoration opportunities
..A win-win-win!

06/09/2026

06/06/2026

Happy ! Today, we celebrate the trails that inspire adventure and reflect on what it takes to create and sustain great trail networks.

Trail Conference volunteers and staff work year-round to care for more than 2,100 miles of trail across the Northeast, from tranquil rambles through local parks to iconic long-distance routes like the Long Path and Highlands Trail.

These pathways connect people and communities to the outdoors, but they don’t maintain themselves. Behind every mile is a dedicated team supported by the training, tools, planning, and expertise required to keep trails safe, sustainable, and accessible to the public.

Today, we invite you to explore the pathways that make our region special and consider making a gift to the Trail Conference to support the behind-the-scenes work that keeps our trail lands healthy and thriving.

Thanks to generous donors, every gift made in celebration of will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $38,000—doubling your impact to protect the trails we all love.

Donate today to support the work behind every mile: 👉 bit.ly/NationalTrailsDay26

Thanks for being a part of our community, trail family. Happy hiking!

📸 A stunning Catskill view by Trail Conference volunteer and supporter Steve Aaron

05/29/2026

Why do we want to get water off of trails, and what are the most useful ways to do so in a given situation?

Join us for an engaging workshop at New Jersey Audubon's Lorrimer Sanctuary and learn how thoughtful drainage keeps trails sustainable and enjoyable.

You’ll discover how to predict water flow, identify drainage issues, and gain hands-on experience installing dip- and knick-style structures that will leave the trails at Lorrimer Sanctuary better than we found them.

🗓️ Sunday, June 14
🕙 10 AM
📍 Lorrimer Sanctuary | 790 Ewing Ave, Franklin Lakes, NJ

👉 Learn More + Register: https://support.nynjtc.org/page/97670/event/1

05/19/2026

You made history, Kumi! 🏃‍♀️🎉

On Sunday, May 10, 2026, Kumi Redpath completed the 358-mile Long Path end to end in 7 days, 7 hours, 59 minutes, and 57 seconds, officially setting a new supported fastest known time (FKT) on New York’s signature long-distance trail.

Redpath's record-breaking time surpassed the previous overall supported FKT by more than four hours—an extraordinary accomplishment! 👏

The 50-year-old ultra trail runner’s historic feat doubled as a fundraiser for the Trail Conference, which stewards every mile of the Long Path and maintains more than 2,100 miles of trails across the Northeast. To date, she's raised more than $3,200 for the organization.

Redpath shared what motivated her epic journey:

“As an Asian woman and an older runner, this journey means something deeper to me. I want to use this attempt to raise awareness and help create more space for people who are often underrepresented on the trails. Everyone deserves to feel welcome, supported, and empowered outdoors.”

The Trail Conference team extends its heartfelt congratulations to Redpath on her stunning success. Way to go, Redpath!

📸: Photos 1-4 courtesy of Kumi Redpath; Photo 5 courtesy of Ed Kwityn

05/18/2026

Calling all outdoor adventurers: Your next challenge starts here! 🌄

Trail-A-Thon is back for 2026, reimagined as a high-energy, one-week community fundraising adventure to kick off summer.

🥾 What is Trail-A-Thon?
is a week-long, hike-a-thon-style event open to everyone, anywhere. Hike, bike, run, or stroll on your favorite path, through a local park, or even on the treadmill. Every mile you track and dollar you raise supports our mission to protect public trails across the Northeast.

🤝 How it works:
• Set a personal mileage goal
• Rally friends and family for support
• Track your miles during challenge week
• Earn awesome rewards like Trail Conference maps and gear

💥 Bonus: Thanks to a generous gift from our Board of Directors, all donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $8,500—so every dollar goes twice as far.

📅 Trail-A-Thon 2026 runs May 30–June 7. Registration is open now.

Ready to join the movement? Sign up today! 👉 bit.ly/gotrailathon26

Trail-A-Thon: Where will your challenge take you?

05/11/2026

We’re feeling the love, and so are our trails! 💚🌲

A huge thank you to Liberty Subaru, Inc., Emerson, NJ, for supporting the Trail Conference through the Subaru of America Share the Love® Event.

Your extraordinary generosity helps us protect public trails, keep them thriving, and connect more people with nature.

We’re grateful to Liberty Subaru for championing organizations that make a real difference in communities close to home and across the region. Thanks for sharing the love!

📸 courtesy of Liberty Subaru

05/05/2026

Come move with us this May! ✨

The MRCC / Trail Conference 5K Race & 3K Walk takes place Sunday, May 17, in Mahwah, New Jersey, kicking off from our historic Darlington Schoolhouse headquarters.

This gently rolling course is one of New Jersey’s most scenic 5Ks—a mix of paved and unpaved sections winding through the Ramapo Reservation, with beautiful views of the Ramapo River. We’d love to see you there!

Event details:
📍 600 Ramapo Valley Road | Mahwah, NJ 07430
🕘 Race & Walk starts at 9:00 AM (day-of check-in begins at 7:30 AM)
🅿️ Parking at Ramapo College, Lot D

🎽 Bonus: Free t-shirts and swag bags for the first 250 participants, plus a day full of great prizes, food, and music. A portion of the proceeds supports the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference.

👉 Learn more + register: Runsignup.com/MRCC

04/28/2026

Want to learn how to identify and manage our region’s most common invasive plants? 🌿

Join Trail Conference Instructor Claire Lignac on May 9 for an engaging, interactive session exploring the invasive plants you’re likely to encounter on our trails!

Presented in partnership with the Taconic Plateau Foundation, this hands-on workshop combines outdoor instruction and guided field work to give you practical tools to protect native plants and wildlife. The event is free and open to all—no prior plant ID experience required.

Invasive Plant Management Tips & Techniques Workshop
🗓️ Saturday, May 9, 2026
📍 Millerton, NY
🕙 10 AM - 2 PM

🔗 Learn more and reserve your spot today: bit.ly/ManageInvasives101

04/20/2026

Happy Earth Week, trail family! This week, we’re celebrating the landscapes we cherish and turning that care into action. 🌎

The Trail Conference leads the way in community-driven conservation. Our dedicated staff and volunteers work year-round to protect public pathways and confront the growing threat of invasive species to native habitats.

But as invasives spread and extreme weather accelerates—weakening fragile ecosystems and threatening trails—decisive action is critical. The future of our trail lands depends on how quickly we act together.

This , your gift can make all the difference. Now through April 22, every dollar you donate will be matched up to $15,000—fueling boots-on-the-ground conservation efforts across our region and empowering innovative stewardship initiatives like our Trail Ecology Surveyor Volunteer program and Invasives Strike Force crew.

Together, we can be a force for nature and protect our trails for generations to come. Consider giving back this Earth Week by visiting 👉 bit.ly/EarthWeek26