Trails Program Update

The Trails Program is off to a roaring start in the new season. Our trails are showing the results of our hard work over the last two years. We continue to add new members at each event and more volunteers are stepping up to leadership positions. Please read on to learn about what we've been doing and what's ahead.

AAT Classroom Training Welcomes Large Turnout

• Over 30 people turned out to learn about the AAT program. Bob Flagg presented the Adopter handbook and provided and overview of the program. Dexter Robinson discussed the database he has created to track our trail activities and reviewed recent enhancements to the FBH website. Ale Echandi (DCR) provided an update on DCR guidelines for trailwork including protection of endangered species in the Blue Hills. Don Hoffses from the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) reminded us of the benefits available under the Coleman Challenge. The classroom training concluded with a short video on trail maintenance and prizes for the lucky. You can obtain a free copy of the video shown at: http://www.fhwa.%20dot.gov/environm%20ent/rectrails/%20trailpub.%20htm
• Thanks to Jim Kaemmerlin for leading a hike to point out possible maintenance along the trail.

Park Serve Day Attracts Big Fish to the Blue Hills

• Governor Deval Patrick and Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) Commissioner, Rick Sullivan, attended the ParkServe event on April 25th to welcome volunteers. Each one praised the efforts of the Friends of the Blue Hills for their trail maintenance efforts.
• We conducted four work projects with 26 volunteers. Trailwork was focused on Border Path and enhancing the brook near the Trailside Museum.

Volunteer Focus: Joe Woodman

While we have many great volunteers, Joe Woodman is a star. Last year, Joe attended his first trailwork event on Park Serve Day and attended every event, except one, for the rest of the year. Each event, Joe stepped right in to each project with a smile. Every leader agreed that Joe was the one they wanted on their work party. When the call went out for Adopters later in the year, Joe volunteered to take on Hancock Hill Path. Check out the trail to see his handiwork. For the new year, Joe has already stepped up again to become a Section Leader (see below for more information) . Joe will be leading work projects in the near future. Please join me in thanking Joe for his commitment to the program. He is certainly a trailblazer we hope many will follow.

New Adopters Flock to the AAT Program

We set a goal of 15 new Adopters this year and we have already signed up seven so far. Since the last Trails Update, we would like to welcome five more Adopters:

• Ray Ajemian will be responsible for the section of Border Path – Marker 1175 to Unquity Rd.
• Anne & Torin Crissey adopted Wolcott Path – Marker 1141 to DCR HQ and the section of trail between Markers 2152 & 2162.
• Nick Georgantas has selected Hemenway Hill Path.
  Dave Humphreys will take Border Path – Marker 1100 – 1135 and Rotch Path.
• Win Burr has adopted Indian Trail a/k/a Fisherman's Trail.

Seeking Section Leaders for the AAT Program

As the program continues to add new Adopters, we desperately need Section Leaders to provide guidance and oversight to new Adopters. Each new Adopter is assigned a Section Leaders who will walk the Adopter's trail and discuss suggestions for work the Adopter should address. The Section Leader returns to the trail after the Adopter performs their maintenance and provides feedback to the Adopter.

Please contact Dexter Robinson or Greg Richards to discuss your interest in becoming a Section Leader. (See contact info below.)

Attend an Upcoming Work Event

Trail work events will be conducted on the following dates (all Saturdays, 9am – 1pm): July 11th, August 8, September 5, October 3.

Work parties meet at Houghton's Pond parking lot on Hillside Street. Lunch will be provided at the end of each event. Attendees should wear long pants, sturdy boots, work gloves and bring water, sun block and bug spray. We will provide all the tools and training.

FBH Outreach Committee Announces Work Dates to Remove Invasives

FBH is working with DCR to remove invasive species in the Reservation. Work dates are June 13th, 20th and 27th. Help is needed now to address these pesky weeds before they overwhelm the Blue Hills.

Please visit our website at http://www.friendsofthebluehills.org/ for more information. Send emails to info@friendsofthebluehills.org to register or call 781-828-1805.

Join FBHTRAILS Yahoo Group

To simplify our communications to trail volunteers, we have established the FBHTRAILS Yahoo group. You can join the group by visiting our website and going to the Trails Program homepage. Click on the Y icon to link to the Yahoo website. Follow the instructions and you'll be set in a matter of minutes. You will receive emails periodically to announce upcoming trail events and other program information. Future Trails Updates will be sent to the Yahoo group. We will be phasing out our present process of emailing the update through Outlook. Please contact Dexter if you encounter problems.

See You on the Trails!!

If you have not joined us for a trailwork event yet, you don't know what you are missing. Each event provides a chance to learn new skills and to meet new friends. There is plenty of time available to make a difference to the trail but also to chat things up with someone new. We even provide food at the end of the event to provide a light atmosphere to socialize. If you have enjoyed us at prior events, welcome back!! We are excited to get underway.

CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION

• Send us an email at mailto:trailwork@FriendsOf
• Visit our website at http://www.friendsofthebluehills.org/
• Dexter Robinson at 781.294.8840, email mailto:dexpcdoc@gmail.
• Greg Richards at 339.987.0891, email mailto:garichards02184@yahoo.com