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Updated: Volunteer NCT adopters sought for Chippewa National Forest (MN)

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The North Country Trail Association (NCTA) and Chippewa National Forest’s Walker Ranger District are looking for people who like the outdoors to adopt sections of the nation’s longest hiking trail – the North Country National Scenic Trail. Currently, there are seven adopt-a-trail-sections (download the maps as a PDF) within the Chippewa National Forest that are in need of adopters. These sections include one by Longville and six near Remer. Available sections of trail range from 1 – 3.5 miles in length and typically are located between good road access points.

Volunteers who adopt sections of the North Country Trail typically make a minimum of three or four trips to their trail section annually. In the spring, volunteers walk their section to assess how the trail fared over the winter, clear downed trees, inspect signs, and report any significant problems (e.g. hazard trees, flooded spots, ATV incursions, etc) to the NCTA or Forest Service.  In summer volunteers mow the trail using walk behind mowers provided by the NCTA and/or Forest Service.  Ideally, volunteers will mow their trail section once in early to mid June and again in August if necessary.  Finally, volunteers are asked to walk the trail one last time in the fall after hunting season to cut back trailside vegetation and check on overall conditions.  Recognizing that people have a finite amount of time to volunteer, adopters can do as many (or as few) of these tasks as they are able.  The NCTA also could use people to hike assigned sections in the spring to report on trail conditions to aid in work planning.

No prior trail maintenance experience is necessary and volunteers need to sign a volunteer agreement with the Forest Service.  This agreement insures that volunteers are covered by the federal government if they are injured while volunteering on the trail.  People do not need to be NCTA members to volunteer.  All necessary, tools, training, and logistical support will be provided by NCTA and Forest Service.  If you are interested in learning more about this volunteer opportunity or the available trail sections, feel free to contact Matthew Davis at (701) 388-1883 / davis@northcountrytrail.org.