A Community of Practice Looks Back and Ahead:

Alpine Stewardship Activities in the Northeast

A grant report for the project entitled:
Alpine Stewardship Programs in the Northeast: Site Observations and Practitioner
Interviews

Jill Weiss, PhD

Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Fall 2020/Winter 2021 v.17 1/24/21jw
Contents
Contact Information ................................................................................................................................ 4
Grant Dates: ............................................................................................................................................ 4
Covid-19 .................................................................................................................................................. 4
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 5
Purpose and Need ............................................................................................................................... 5
Participants ......................................................................................................................................... 6
History of Project ................................................................................................................................. 6
Connection to the Waterman Fund Mission ......................................................................................... 6
Connection to Academic Research ....................................................................................................... 7
Methods.................................................................................................................................................. 7
Data collection cycle and timeline........................................................................................................ 7
Project Schedule .............................................................................................................................. 8
The Questionnaire ............................................................................................................................... 9
Interviews.......................................................................................................................................... 10
Observations ..................................................................................................................................... 10
Findings................................................................................................................................................. 10
Updated Site Descriptions ................................................................................................................. 11
Updates to Practice ........................................................................................................................... 11
Field Educators and Approach Methods ......................................................................................... 11
Terms of Employment.................................................................................................................... 11
Training, Reporting, and Assessment ............................................................................................. 12
Number of Contacts ....................................................................................................................... 12
Trends ............................................................................................................................................... 13
A Community of Practice ................................................................................................................... 13
Other Results of this Research Project ............................................................................................... 14
Discussion ............................................................................................................................................. 15
Project Accounting ................................................................................................................................ 17
Appendices............................................................................................................................................ 19
Appendix A – Questionnaire .............................................................................................................. 19
Appendix B - Link to data spreadsheet. .............................................................................................. 20
Appendix C – List of Interview Participants ........................................................................................ 21
Appendix D - Interview Guide ............................................................................................................ 22

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Appendix E – Site Overviews .............................................................................................................. 25
Appendix F - Trends ........................................................................................................................... 48
Stewarding as Career Step ............................................................................................................. 48
Leadership Changes ....................................................................................................................... 48
Whole System Initiatives................................................................................................................ 49
Cairns and Rock Stacking................................................................................................................ 50
Human Waste ................................................................................................................................ 51
Technology .................................................................................................................................... 51
“Other” – Things to watch out for.. ................................................................................................ 53

3
Contact Information
Jill Weiss, PhD
Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies
SUNY College of Environmental Forestry
jiweiss@esf.edu

Mailing and Phone during Covid -19: Official Contact Information:

217 Cambridge Street SUNY College of Environmental Forestry
Syracuse, NY 13210 Environmental Studies - Baker Lab 224
347-743-7959 1 Forestry Drive
Syracuse, NY 13210
315-470-6871

Grant Dates:
Awarded: February 13, 2018
Data Collection Completed: February 10, 2020
Data Analysis: Ongoing
Report Date: January 24, 2021

Covid-19
While the reporting was impacted by Covid-19 because of my increased workload and responsibilities
at SUNY-ESF, these data and this report does not include information from 2020. It is my intention to
add questions about Covid-19 impacts in the next data collection. Based on my observations and data
collected with my RUEADK 2020 project, recreational usership was way up and more new hikers joined
the population. https://www.esf.edu/communications/view2.asp?newsID=8805#.X5tFjrTJTEM.link

4
Introduction
This report summarizes the project: “Alpine Stewardship Activities in the Northeast: Site Observations
and Practitioner Interviews,” supported by the Waterman Fund during the 2017 RFP Round. Alpine
Stewards are field educators and trail maintainers that protect the ecology of alpine and sub alpine
ecosystems while preserving the psychological, spiritual, and cultural connection humans have made
with mountains. Alpine Stewardship in the Northeast is a Community of Practice that has created
communication infrastructure that will ensure resilience in the system.

This grant period covered the typical data collection about practice, but also included interviews of
managers and stewards and site observations and tours.

Purpose and Need

Hiking trails that lead through alpine and subalpine plant communities in the Northeast United States
are numerous, beloved, largely un-gated, and understudied. The past decade has seen a marked
increase in hikers, possessing varied and sometimes new motivations, resulting in braided and eroding
trails. Meanwhile, severe weather events related to climate change are scouring the same areas. The
organizations and individuals that maintain these paths is struggling to keep pace. Alpine stewardship,
the active and passive management of trail users in the alpine zone has been in practice for decades in
this area and is holding the line and even rescuing some areas from runaway damage.

This research is for and about organizations in the Northeast who engage in conservation and education
for sub alpine and alpine summits. It is a snapshot of activity, philosophy, and management. The needs
and wants of the participants guide the research design. The goals of this project are to collect ‘best
practice’ information from alpine stewardship programs of the Northeast, and further formalize network
ties through information sharing and discussion.

The ASANE Project has been collecting data on this practice from ten stewardship programs in four
states since 2010. This longitudinal study collects even year data during the following odd year, so far
resulting in five data sets over ten years. Data are collected through form submissions, observations,
and semi-structured open interviews with site coordinators, stewards, and allies of the practice. The
research characterizes alpine stewardship and the philosophies that drive it, as well as foster
communication infrastructure within this community of practice. The latter promotes knowledge
transfer and institutional memory – extremely important as leadership and hiker behaviors shift across
the system.

The grant proposal outlined two main objectives resulting from outreach and academic research. Over
time, these recast into five practical and academic goals: (1) Update the Site Overviews; (2) update
practices; (3) academically confirm the network of stewardship sites as a Community of Practice (CoP);
(4) generate a robust list of trends in recreational user behaviors, and (5) share the research through
manuscripts, new projects, conference presentations and other settings.

5
Participants
The Alpine Stewardship Activities in the Northeast (ASANE) Project has me, Dr. Jill Weiss, as the Principal
Investigator. Students in Dr. Peter Palmiotto’s Monadnock Ecological Research and Education (MERE)
Project at Antioch University New England and my student research group at SUNY-ESF provided
additional support.

Research Participants include most of the sites that have participated in ASANE since 2010.
Geographically, north to south:
• Baxter State Park
• Acadia National Park
• Maine Appalachian Trail Club
• Green Mountain Club
• Randolph Mountain Club –The US Forest Service/Appalachian Mountain Club Alpine
Stewardship Volunteer Program
• Dartmouth Outing Club, Moosilauke Stewardship
• Welch-Dickey/Welch Ledges
• Adirondack Mountain Club High Peaks Summit Steward Program –
• Antioch University New England/Monadnock Ecological Research and Education (MERE) Project

Research of these sites included observations, review of public records and interviews from program
managers, stewards and educators, agency representatives, and allies associated with the sites and their
stewardship programming.

History of Project
This project was inspired by interviews for a pilot study on the Adirondack High Peaks Summit Steward
Program (HPSSP) conducted in the fall of 2010 by Jill Weiss. Interviews with practitioners including Julia
Goren, Coordinator of the HPSSP, and Kathy Regan, one of the founders, described a particular sort of
field-based environmental education that combines interpretation, science education, research, trail
maintenance, safety, and public relations. Most appealing was the philosophical underpinning of this
work. Alpine stewardship strikes a balance between an egalitarian and ecologically based land ethic. I
was further encouraged to make this a long-term study by the participants, who consistently report they
benefit from the updates.

Connection to the Waterman Fund Mission

This study is guided by the belief that excellent management of the alpine zone will require
understanding of the ecology – yes, but also the philosophies and intent of the people that share these
special landscapes. This project supports the Waterman Fund’s objective of strengthening the human
stewardship of the open summits, exposed ridgelines, and alpine areas of the Northeast by connecting
the people who directly manage or support the care of popular alpine areas. This project will support
ongoing information sharing and contribute to the social research agenda of this practice.

6
Connection to Academic Research
This project’s strengths are in its prac�cal applica�ons, but it does have overlap with several academic
topics:
• Alpine plant phenology, restora�on, and conserva�on
• Recrea�on and Natural Resource Management
• Environmental Educa�on and Interpreta�on
• Environmental Communica�on
• Networked conserva�on and the required communica�on infrastructure.
• Communi�es of Prac�ce
• Recrea�onal User Behavior and Intent

Methods
Alpine Stewardship Activities in the Northeast (ASANE) is a long-term study of ten sites in four states:
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. During observations, interviews, and surveys,
information is gathered in the following sectors: Education and Public Contact Protocol, Scientific Study
and Research, Trail Work and Restoration, Volunteer Programs, and Communications. At the request of
the participants, I also collected information on steward recruitment, pay, uniforms and management.
Additions to this study period were observations at the sites and inquiry about what participants wanted
to find about recreational users.

During this Waterman grant project period, I was the primary data collector. Additionally, Erica
Kamerzel, a graduate student from AUNE, conducted covert and overt observations for me at Baxter
State Park and Adirondack Park in the summer of 2019. Breanna Hummel (ESF ’21) continues to assist
with data analysis.

Data collection cycle and timeline

After a few years of data collection (2014), we realized that changes and innovation occur incrementally
with this population, and yearly data collection would not yield more valuable information than biennial
collection. We decided that during odd years, the previous even year data would be collected. This also
gives organizations a chance to report on a fully completed season.

Because of the additional goals of the project, observations and some interviews took place in the
summer of 2018. Starting in the spring of 2019 the questionnaires went out, followed by more
interviews and observations through the fall of that year.

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Project Schedule
Participant
Prep and
Transcription; review and
protocol Outreach Interviews Observations Reporting
development
Analysis fact
checking
2018
Jan
Feb
Mar X
Apr X X
May X X
Jun X I J
Jul I J X
Aug X
Sep X P X
Oct X P X X
Nov
Dec
2019
X X
Jan
Feb X X P, I
Mar X X
Apr X X P
May X P
Jun P E
Jul X I J, E X
Aug I J, E X X
Sep X P X X
Oct X P, I X X NEASG
Nov X X
Dec X X
2020 IASNR*
Jan
to Waterman
Grant Report
Sep X X
Participants’
Report
pending
2021 X X
Jan

P – By Phone
I - In Person
J - Jill Weiss conducted both covert and overt observation.
E - Some covert observations conducted by graduate student Erica Kamerzel, Antioch University New England in ADKs (6/27-
29/2020) and Baxter State park (7/30-8/1/2019).
* - International Association for Society and Natural Resources; An international conference scheduled for Cairns, Australia, but
recast on line due to Covid-19.

8
The Questionnaire
We used an MS Word Document questionnaire administered via email. See Appendix A for a copy of a
typical data form.

General Contact Information.

We collect the name, title, email, phone and mailing address of the respondents as well as organization
information. This is relatively stable year to year, but people do change positions. Sometimes a second
contact is given especially if the program is shared by more than one office/ agency. It is essential that
this information is kept up to date, and that position changes are noted.

# Contacts / season/ year.

Practically all sites are collecting this number, but because of the differences in programs (number of
staff, length of season, contact points, etc.), this is not necessarily an oranges to oranges comparison.
Still this allows us to track trends of usership year to year at each site and across the region in general
terms. We are working on a calculation to compare this information more closely.

The Field Educators.

The general terms we use to describe practitioners. Known As lists the titles used at each site. This
designation is important for it differentiates them from trail crews and researchers who may occupy the
same space. Background requirements are required education, training, certifications, interests and
experiences the sites look for in hiring the field educators.

Terms of Employment.
The educators are usually seasonal employees, Appointment duration and Schedule helps us compare
coverage site to site. Variations year to year here may reflect increased traffic or funding changes. We
ask that these points and Pay be reported as weekly so sites can compare and arrive at fair
compensation packages. Housing is of interest for the same reason, but also because these locations are
tourist destinations and housing pressures impact available workforce.

Training, Reporting, and Assessment.

Handbook, # of Training Days, and Forms, Reporting and Assessment gives us a picture of organizational
structure, capacity, emphasis, and tradition between sites. This can vary year to year based on funding
and other pressures. We have also seen cross training between sites and information sharing leading to
changes in programming and management.

Visitor Contact.
Central Message is based on interviews held in 2010-11. They are stable, but may shift to respond to
trends and changes in staffing or management. Approach Philosophy information was collected at the
same time; each site categorized into four types (as described in the 2011 report). Respondents have
added notes or provided more information. Regarding Uniforms and Support Materials: during each
data collection, we ask for this information as well as photos of uniforms, badges and other things the
organizations use to identify themselves. We also ask for photos of trends, damage, signage, passive
management, and restoration.

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Excel sheet with tables
MS Excel spreadsheets for each data collection have been placed together in an MS Excel Workbook.
Each year is color coded. We have entries through 2018. See Appendix B for link to file location.

Figure 1 Screenshot of Workbook.

Interviews
During this research period, I conducted 19 open or semi-structured, open-ended interviews totaling
more than 20 hours of recordings. Interviews allowed respondents to expand on their questionnaire
answers, tell us about changes in their organization and region, and discuss emerging trends. Appendix C
presents a list of interviewees. See Appendix D for a copy of the interview guide.

Observations
During the summer of 2018 and 2019, we made several visits to each site for observations. In many
cases, I received tours of sites. These were unstructured and unrecorded. These experiences clarified
information provided through the other modes, and allowed me to observe recreational users, stewards
and trail crews in action.

Findings
An enormous amount of data was collected during this project period, and analysis is still underway. I
am limiting findings for this report to the grant proposal’s charge: updating information from the sites
regarding contacts, characteristics and practice; a presentation of trends; and evidence of CoP activity.

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Updated Site Descriptions
As you will learn in the Trends section, all sites underwent some sort of leadership or programmatic
change in the past five years. The good news is that all but one of the sites continues to do stewardship
work in some form.

I have included an excerpt from the in-progress Participant’s Report, which will become a website as
time allows. Appendix E presents the Site Overviews. Each site has an entry that outlines characteristics
and program updates. The contact information was accurate as of February 2020. I learned recently that
positions at Baxter State Park and the Green Mountain Club were vacated; those are noted in line.

Updates to Practice
Field Educators and Approach Methods
Increase in use of Leave No Trace (LNT) Principles. While LNT has been in the background as a key
educational touchpoint for over a decade., more sites are explicitly saying they align with LNT and
adding it to their materials. In 2019 the Adirondacks was a “hot spot” site designated by the Leave No
Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. The Center conducted strategy sessions and data collection in the area
to create a recommendations report that echoes many of the concerns of participants in the report and
the Waterman Board have about recreational use and limits of acceptable change. No other major
cultural changes. Minor site-specific changes may be found in the Site Overviews. In an effort to
examine diversity in stewarding, ASANE is considering in inquiring about diversity training and racial
make up of crews.

Terms of Employment
The number of stewards per season, the length of season and pay has increased during the study period.

Weekly Steward Pay Over Time

2018 MERE

2016 HPSSP (ADK)

Study Years

DOC
2014
VASP(AMC)
2012 GMC
2010-2011 MATC
ANP
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
BSP
$US per Week

Figure 2 Weekly Pay for Stewards 2010 to 2018.

Figure 1 illustrates the effect of information sharing. During each data collection, managers report that
hearing about the pay at other sites has caused them to reconsider pay and benefits for their stewards.
As described in Trends, over time and coupled with winter employment, stewarding has become a viable

11
career step rather than a break in a CV. See Site Overviews and the spreadsheet for site-specific
changes.

Training, Reporting, and Assessment

All sites engage in some sort of data collection and program assessment. As of 2018, several sites have
brought tablets and other sorts of electronic reporting to the practice. HPSSP and BSP are still engaged
in photopoint monitoring, and all sites have increased their photo record keeping. Site have an
increased presence on social media, yielding a new metric for public contacts. Please see Site Overviews
and spread sheet for site-specific activities.

Number of Contacts

Number of Contacts per Organization from 2012 to 2018

90000
80000
70000
60000
50000
40000
30000
20000
10000
0
Year 2012 Year 2014 Year 2016 Year 2018

BSP ANP MATC GMC VASP DOC HPSSP MERE

Figure 3 Number of Contacts Side by Side 2012-2018.

Figure 4 Year to Year Number of Contacts by Site 2010-2018.

Figure 3 and 4 present number of contacts per year at each site. While these tend to be the data points
asked for most, this information does not say much about the state of usership or the efficacy of
stewardship practice.

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First, it took a while to convince all sites to collect this sort of data as illustrated by the gaps in earlier
years. Second, each site collects contact numbers differently based on the characteristics of their
program and site (approach everyone or not, multiple park entry points, etc.) This is most obvious in
Figure 3, where the GMC seems to be outpacing all other programs. While they do great work, they
count every adult, baby, and dog they see, whether they have a conversation with them or not, leading
to an outsized contact number. Third, it has been my position that it makes more sense to look at year
to year numbers by site (Figure 4). However, the results of this study period show that almost all sites
changed the number of stewards, the hours and length of season they work, and the type of outreach
they count, possibly resulting in a dip in contacts. For example, Baxter changed to counting only
“meaningful exchanges” (Figure 4). The result is charts that do not reflect what we know is a steady
increase in recreational users in the Northeast.

My team and I are committed to figuring out a better approach for this data point. For now, I say the
real value in the data lie in the continued participation and networking of the sites and the trends they
report.

Trends
Interviews and observations yielded a robust list of trends:
• Stewarding as Career
• Leadership changes, Whole System initiatives
• Cairns and Rock stacking
• Human Waste
• Technology
• Front Country Stewardship

...plus a short list of emerging topics. These are fully discussed in the Trends section of the Participant’s
Report, found in Appendix F.

A Community of Practice

Figure 5 NEASG Attendees at Baxter State park in 2015.

As I found in my research of Regional Conservation partnerships in New England, “networked

conservation creates a mosaic of knowledgeable persons highly engaged in the conservation of the

13
resource in question” (Weiss, 2016, p. 4). 1 The Alpine Stewardship in the Northeast (ASNE) Network, as I
now coin it, is an excellent example of collaborative conservation at its best. Further, over the past 10
years this group has formed a community of practice. A community of practice (CoP) is a group or groups
of people who share concern or passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they
interact regularly. 2 Such a network of people can share and store more information than any one
individual can, and together, function like a supercomputer.

At this point, I shift the narrative to include myself. There is no question that I have “gone native.” Along
with you all, I act as both hub and spoke in this network, depending on the circumstance. I claim that we
want to be a community of practice because they are well studied with established characteristics and
instruments for measurement. This will increase opportunities for assessment and present pathways for
development.

One CoP characteristic we have is our awareness of each other, through which we have increased
knowledge sharing and collaboration. For example, the plant biologists in this community have been
able to support and build on each other’s work at a level of intensity that would not be possible if the
network did not exist. Additionally, there is also transdisciplinary sharing between the research
community and the stewardship programs. Our shared trainings and biennial gatherings are further
evidence of a CoP at work. These brief but intense interactions every few years have very high-quality
knowledge transfer at the center.

Collaboration research suggests that such a contact schedule sparks more innovative problem solving
within the community. We enrich knowledge as we share it. 3 Furthermore, much of the practice involves
what is known as tacit knowledge - knowledge that is hard to quantify or requires side-by-side- or
hands-on learning for transfer. 4 Collaborative conservation relies on normalized pathways of
communication—communication infrastructure. 5 Year after year, I have seen members of this
community go that extra step to reach out to others or invite participation. Normalization of this
communication infrastructure will further strengthen this network.

Other Results of this Research Project

The following studies, abstracts, conference presentations and grant applications are a direct result of
this research:
• “A Community of Practice Looks Back and Ahead: Alpine Stewardship Activities in the Northeast
(ASANE) Project at 10 years.” 2019 Northeast Alpine Stewardship Gathering, Lake Placid, NY,
October 2019.
• Appointment to the High Peaks Strategic Planning Advisory Group (HPAG6), charged by the NYS
DEC Commissioner to collaboratively provide advice to DEC on how to balance critical issues

1 This material and a related conversation on knowledge transfer in conservation networks may be found in my dissertation:
Weiss, J. L. (2016) "Collaboration in Conservation Networks: Regional Conservation Partnerships in New England" Dissertations
& Theses. 288. https://etd.ohiolink.edu/apexprod/rws_olink/r/1501/10?p10_etd_subid=116396&clear=10
2 Wenger, E., McDermott, R., Snyder, W., (2002) Cultivating Communities of Practice. Harvard Business School Press: Boston

(MA).
3
Briske, D. D. (2012). Translational Science Partnerships: Key to Environmental Stewardship. BioScience, 62(5), 449–450.
4
Perera, A., Buse, L., & Crow, T. (2007). Forest landscape ecology: transferring knowledge to practice. Springer; Simonin, B. L.
(1999). Ambiguity and the process of knowledge transfer in strategic alliances. Strategic Management Journal, 20(7), 595–623.
5
Ibid. See Weiss, above.
6
https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/119187.html

14
 associated with increased public use in the High Peaks Region of the Adirondacks in order to
protect the area's natural resources for future generations. November 2019 - January 2021.
• “A Community of Practice Looks Back and Ahead: Alpine Stewardship Activities in the Northeast
(ASANE) Project at 10 years” research accepted and presented at the 2020 International
Association for Society and Natural Resources (IASNR) International Symposium for Society and
Resource Management (ISSRM), June 2020.
• SUNY-ESF/Baxter State Park Project:
o A partnership with the BSP and my students to investigate hiker behaviors. BSP staff worked
with EST 353 7 and EST 604 8 classes via Skype to explore park history, hiking trends and
management challenges. EST 353 students located theoretical frameworks in psychology that
may explain problematic behaviors and wrote recommendations on how to apply the theories
to improve behaviors. EST 604 picked up where the UG’s left off: They reviewed current
instruments and protocols in use at the park; devised and interview guide; began preliminary
planning and IRB work for a focus group to guide formation of a questionnaire. Project was to
culminate with an in-person survey at the Park in summer of 2020, but has been paused due to
Covid-19.
• Invited to the Franconia Notch Working Group summer 2020 Meeting.
• Recreational User Perspectives on Use and Management in the Adirondacks.
This project is an in-kind partnership between the Adirondack Council, SUNY-ESF and The
Adirondack Mountain Club. The purpose of this study is to characterize recreational users of the
High Peaks Wilderness Complex, understand their familiarity with the area, and gain their
perspective on management practices that address user capacity. Summer 2020; Preliminary
report available.
• McIntire-Stennis (USDA) 2021 RFP:
Managing the New Hiker: Characteristics, Perceptions, and Behavior Trends among Alpine Trail
Users in the Northeast. Under review. It is our hope that funding from this source will help us
follow up on some of the questions raised in this project.
• Northeastern States Research Cooperative 2021 RFP:
Soundscapes as Bellwether: Understanding the Relationship between Recreational User
Experience, Hiking Facility and Natural Community Features. Application in process.

... plus several manuscripts in progress.

Discussion
Over ten years the study has revealed trends in management, recreational use, system sustainability,
and ecological conditions. Through information sharing and events like the Northeast Alpine
Stewardship Gathering (NEASG), the network spreads promising practices for management of both
recreational users and ecological areas.

7 EST 353 Behavior Change and the Environment, Undergraduate

8 EST 604 Survey Design for Environmental Social Science, Graduate

15
This study has transformed participants into research partners, yielding hours of in kind contribution
and improved data richness and accuracy. Our process has raised awareness of the significance of
communication and culture within ecological stewardship programs, and sparked discussion about
improving information sharing across the network. My central findings:

• Alpine Stewardship in the Northeast is a unique culture rooted in tradition yet takes
opportunities to innovate.
• Knowledge sharing is desirable; Homogenization is not.
• Passive management techniques contribute to recovery of plant communities;
• Yet, person-to-person contact still considered the most effective effort for protecting these
resources.
• Programs accomplishing quite a bit with very little capacity and/or funds

This report highlights practices and trends that have implications for trail management and education.
New partnerships, both within and outside the community, are forming to usher in changes in whole
system visitor management and possibly use culture. It is evident that the missing piece of the picture is
empirical data on hiker motivations, preparedness, and perception of the alpine zone and these
practices. In effect, this research sets a social research agenda for alpine stewardship and recreational
use in the Northeast US.

Thank you so much for your patience during these challenging times. Every bit of my life is different than
it was when I applied for this grant in 2017. Choosing to focus on the positives of this work, my
participation in the NYS DEC ADK High Peaks Strategic Planning Advisory Group (HPAG) this past year
and my tenure track role at SUNY ESF has positioned me to better support the work of stewards and
explore recreational use with a larger professional network, communications bullhorn, and hopefully
more financial support.

I thank you again for your continued support of my our work.

Best, Jill W

Jill Weiss, PhD

Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

16
Project Accounting
The central reason for the grant is to cover travel expenses. I was able to obtain free lodging most of the
time, but I was not able to avoid vehicle mileage or lodging for the grad student. This table summarizes
spending:
Date Start Finish Total miles
for trip
2018
6/15/18 Home, Syracuse, NY Free lodging, Brant Lake, NY 158
6/16/18 Free lodging, Brant Lake, NY ADK Trailhead visit loop (Keene 136
Valley, Cascade, ADK Loj) and back
to Free Lodging, Brant Lake, NY
6/17/18 Free Lodging, Brant Lake, NY Home, Syracuse, NY 157
7/25/18 Home, Syracuse, NY Free Lodging, Schroon Lake, NY 158
7/26/18 Free Lodging, Schroon Lake, NY Mt. Monadnock Park Toll Road, 163
Jaffrey, NY
7/26/18 Mt. Monadnock Park Toll Road, Antioch University NE, Keene, NH 14
Jaffrey, NY
7/26/18 Antioch University NE, Keene, NH Holiday Inn Express, Lincoln, NH 117
$149.57 before tax.
7/27/18 Holiday Inn Express, Lincoln, NH Franconia Notch Trailhead Areas 4
7/27/18 Franconia Notch Trailhead Areas Rey Center, Waterville Valley, NH 26
(via Tripoli Rd)
7/27/18 Rey Center, Waterville Valley, NH Welch-Dickey Trailhead, Waterville 7
Valley, NH
7/27/18 Welch-Dickey Trailhead, Waterville Mad River Coffeehouse, Campton, 7
Valley, NH NH
7/27/18 Mad River Coffeehouse, Campton, Free lodging, Stowe, VT 104
NH
7/28/18 Free lodging, Stowe, VT Toll Road Mt. Mansfield, Stowe, VT 9

7/28/18 Toll Road Mt. Mansfield, Stowe, VT Home, Syracuse, NY 264

Total miles 2018 1324

X 2018 mileage rate ($0.545) =
$721.58
2019

6/27/19 (Erica K) Gilsum, NH Lake Placid, NY (Mt. Marcy trip) 169

6/29/19 (Erica K) Lake Placid, NY Gilsum, NH 169

17
 7/18/19 Home, Syracuse, NY Franconia Notch, NH 372
Free Lodging with AMC
7/19/19 Franconia Notch, NH Baxter State Park, ME 238
Free Lodging with BSP
7/23/19 Baxter State Park, ME Acadia National Park, ME 159
Pass and Seawall and Blackwood’s
Campgrounds $104.

7/26/19 Acadia National Park, ME Free lodging, Stowe, VT 314

7/29/19 Stowe, VT Free lodging, Brant Lake, NY 110

7/30/19 Brant Lake, NY Home, Syracuse, NY 157

7/30/19 (Erica K) Gilsum, NH Baxter State Park, ME (Obs trip) 386

Camping fees and pass: $91.
8/2/19 (Erica K) Baxter State Park, ME Gilsum, NH 386

8/16/19 Home, Syracuse, NY Lake Placid, NY 207

Meeting ADK Loj
Free lodging in area
8/17/19 Lake Placid, NY Home, Syracuse, NY 207

10/25/19 Home, Syracuse, NY Lake Placid, NY 199

NEASG
Lodging paid by SUNY-ESF
10/27/19 Lake Placid, NY Home, Syracuse, NY 199

Total mileage 2019 3272

X 2019 rate ($0.58) = $1897.76
2018 mileage cost 721.58
2019 mileage cost 1897.76
Total mileage cost 2619.34

Lodging and passes cost*: 344.57

Total Cost $2963.91

*Please contact me if you need itemized receipts for the lodging and the passes.

18
Appendices
Appendix A – Questionnaire

Tour of current instrument.

To the right appears the first
page of a data collection
instrument from the last round.
The top part identifies the
respondent and provides
instructions. nnn

Update all dates

Replace with your contact

information

Column 1 has the data points

(described below)

Column 2 has the data collected

from the last round

Column 3 is where you will ask

respondents to enter this season’s
data and or corrections

19
Appendix B - Link to data spreadsheet.
Excel workbooks do not translate to PDF’s very well. In place of that, I am providing a link to the
spreadsheet as it stands. 2018 data is entered; 2020 data has yet to be collected.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1cuq90b0k5p2hf7/ASANE%20Data%20Workbook%20Updated%20FALL%2
02019%20jw%20Shared%20With%20Waterman%201-19-21.xlsx?dl=0

Please do not distribute this link. Anyone can contact me for information.

20
Appendix C – List of Interview Participants

Thank you to the following people for sharing their time and knowledge with this project.

Cristin Bailey
Ilana Copel
Bob Drescher
Marc Edwards
Leah Elliot
Elise Goperlund
Carl Herz
Patrick Hummel
Seth Jones
Maddy Kroot
Stephanie Ley
Willow Nilsen
Peter Palmiotto
Kyra Salancy
Holly Sheehan
Kim Votta
Kayla White

21
Appendix D - Interview Guide
J.Weiss/ SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Interview Guide vers. 6/27/19 (updated from 4/3/11 version)

Note: This is an interview guide for a survey of alpine stewardship in the Northeast US. Please do not reproduce or share this
document. The nature of semi-structured/ open-ended interviews is that we may take these questions in a different order, add
or remove themes or diverge from this path completely, depending on the live exchange between the interviewer and
interviewee. If you have questions, please call Dr. Jill Weiss at 347-743-7959 or 315-470-6871.

Part 1 - Introduction and Overview

Pre recording > explanation of procedure

– Start recording –

PI: It is [date] at [time]. This is Jill Weiss with SUNY ESF, and I am here with...
Interviewee: [says name]
PI: Your title and affiliation...?
Interviewee: [response]
PI: This interview is for research regarding alpine stewardship work in the Northeast. This is a semi structured, open-ended
interview, which means I have a list of questions about hiker outreach and stewardship activities I intend to ask, but our
discussion themes may diverge from this path based on your responses. Your participation in this interview is completely
voluntary, and we can stop the interview and recording at any time you choose, with no penalty to you.
Thank you for agreeing to this interview. By agreeing to proceed, you confirm that you are at least 18 years old and you consent
to be recorded. Do you still agree to proceed?
Interviewee: [response]

(Remainder of text is script for PI)

This is Dr. Jill Weiss of SUNY-ESF. I am here with __<interviewee name>___ of __<Organization/Affiliation>___ in
__<Geographic Location>____ to discuss alpine stewardship and the passive and active management of trail users.

Please share the mission statement and describe this organization.

What staff positions do you have?

What volunteer positions do you have?

Can you describe how [organization] first became involved with stewardship?

Where do you stewards work or reach the public? (Service Locations)

What is a typical schedule?

Part 2 - Education/Public Contact Protocols

Do your stewards interact with the public?

About how many contacts per season does your program have?

Is the practice standardized in any way?

Do you cite Leave No Trace Principles?

Are you familiar with Authority of the Resource techniques?

Please describe the typical interaction between one of your stewards and the public.

22
What is a typical feedback you get from the public?

Do you conduct trainings?

Do you share trainings with any other organization?
Any certifications? (CPR, WFA, etc.)
Is there a handbook?
(Expand) Anything else?

Part 3 -Trail Work and Restoration

Does [organization] conduct trail work? Describe.

Do you engage in passive management techniques such as signage, brushing, scree walls, bog bridges, string fencing, etc.?
Please describe.

Are these techniques effective at your site? Expand.

Is <Organization> engages in ecological restoration? Describe.

(If so) Do you collaborate with other organizations or universities for this work?
Describe.
Do any big projects stand out that you want to tell me about?

Part 4 - Scientific Study and Research at Your Site

Any past, current research?
Planned?

Any ecological or social research affiliations?

Describe.

Any studies nearby, related, or by other organizations engaged in trail stewardship that you wish to emulate?
Is there a study would like to see a graduate student undertake?
Would <Organization> have financial or in kind support for that?

Part 5 - Communications

Can you describe your communication program and strategy, if any?

How would you describe your public visibility?
Do you want more/less?

What is your primary method for sharing information with the public? (e.g. news articles, website, etc.)
Describe.

Part 6 - New Research Planning

Since 2010, I have been monitoring the 10 sites in this study. We now know more about the activities of alpine stewardship
practitioners and how they perceive the value and success of their work. I have also heard many anecdotes about new drivers
of trends in hiker behavior. This year I am starting to plan the next phase of the research project, and I would like your input.

I wonder how hikers respond to these techniques and how they perceive the efforts that go into stewarding these well-loved
places.

23
What would you like to know about trail users?

What would you like to hear from trail users?

Can you confirm or refute the following trends at your site:

Trekking pole damage

Cairn removal, reconfiguration or building.
Human waste on the trail/ in sight of the trail/ not buried correctly.
Object additions or tributes (e.g. “peace rocks”).
Object or nature artifact removal (e.g. taking a stone as a memento)
About groups:
What number of people would be considered a “very large group” at your site?

Are very large groups a trend at your site?

Are there any other trends you would like to tell me about?

I have heard about new, outside drivers that may cause surges of people at particular sites. Have any of the following affected
your site:
Peak or trail lists – new or old (e.g. 46ers in the ADKs)
Recent article promoting a route or a trip (e.g. Outside magazine feature)
Commercial promotion featuring a trail or place (e.g. REI suggests a hike on a particular weekend)
Web post by and athlete or influencer showing an accomplishment (e.g. ultra runner tweeting about finishing the AT)

Is there anything else you would like to say about these subjects?

Part 7 - Open

What else should I know about your program and work?

[open]

Thank you!

-- end interview/ recording --

24
Appendix E - Site Overviews
This is an excerpt from the Participant’s Report that is in progress.

Baxter State Park

Baxter State Park (BSP) is located on eleven
unorganized townships in north-central Maine.
The southern edge of the Park is about 18 miles
from Millinocket and the eastern edge is about
24 miles from Paten. The Park is a large public
trust. Beginning in 1931 and ending in 1962,
Percival Baxter, ac�ng as a private ci�zen,
purchased 28 parcels of land totaling 201,018
acres, and gi�ed them in Trust to various Maine
legislatures. Baxter atached communica�ons to
the gi�s specifying how the parcels were to be
managed. The management of the Park is an
extension of the Trust Communica�ons and the
Figure 6 Knife Edge.
Authority acts as the final arbiter in the
interpreta�on and applica�on of the Trust
Communica�ons. The Park is now around 215,000 acres. The Park is home to Maine’s highest mountain,
Katahdin.
BSP is separate from the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands and has its own governance responsibili�es,
funding and management system. The overarching management body is the Baxter State Park
Authority, which is comprised of the Atorney General of the State of Maine (who interprets the deed of
trust), the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and the Maine Director of Forestry. They make
policy based on the deeds of trust.
Katahdin has the largest collec�on of rare and endangered
species in the state of Maine. The Bigelow Sedge Meadow
provides important habitat. Species of note include the
Katahdin Arc�c buterfly (Oneis polixnes katahdin), Northern
bog lemming (Synaptomys borealis), and the American pipit
(Anthus rubescens). 60,000 people visit the Park annually: of
that, 30,000 hike Katahdin. On a nice August Saturday, one
would find 60 to 100 people on the summit midday.
Climbing the peak, regardless of skill level, is the goal of
almost every visitor to the Park. The Authority operates the
Park through a Park Director (new in 2018 Eban Sypitkowski)
and administra�ng staff, including a Chief Ranger, Park
Naturalist, Business Manager and Resource Manager. BSP
has several advisory commitees regarding forest
management, opera�ons, research, and
investment/development. Stewardship ac�vi�es are
managed by the Park Naturalist, assisted by the Interpre�ve
Figure 7 Summit Steward and a found friend at Specialist.
Chimney Pond.
As of 2019, BSP has divided tasks for their Wilderness
Educator Interns. 2 Interpreta�on/Educa�on Interns, that concern themselves with providing

25
educa�onal programming in the park and outreach to
schools and camps, and 2 devoted 3-month Alpine
Outreach posi�ons, known as Summit Stewards. The
season runs roughly May through October, with the
alpine work star�ng in June. They work 40 hours per
week including weekends and holidays, with two days
off. Housing is included; Interns camp at the Chimney
Pond Campground when “up high” and in staff
housing when “down low.” From Chimney Pond, they
hike up and down Katahdin and visit other heavily
used sites such as Table Land, Knife Edge, Baxter Peak
and the Great Basin, interac�ng with hikers as they
move along. Interns have 3 to 4 weeks of training with Figure 8 BSP Stewards atop Katahdin.
con�nued training and follow-up throughout the
season. Training includes hikes to trails and peaks, natural history, plant iden�fica�on, Bird training with
ME Audubon monitoring protocol, Leave No Trace (LNT) two-day training course wilderness first aid,
search and rescue and fire suppression. There is a detailed handbook used during training, and Students
can access it with a small computer they carry. Interns are responsible for weekly repor�ng they
complete on their computer and check-in with supervisor. Repor�ng includes an Alpine Mountain Patrol
sheet for each day of patrol, Alpine Plant Watch sheets once a week a Loon count, SOAP (subjec�ve,
objec�ve, assessment, plan) Notes and Incident Reports. In addi�on, they complete end of season
reflec�ons and feedback about the posi�on.
BSP has a trail crew whose focus is keeping the tails safe and accessible. Recent violet weather has
washed out many bridges, pu�ng a strain on the short season. Stewards are considered educators and
do not perform trail work. However, they do collaborate with other park staff to maintain and monitor
string fencing, and there is photographic evidence that it is working. BSP also employs other passive
management such as alpine zone signage, scree walls, and paint blazes along with their wayfinding
signage. As pictured the alpine area signs are feeling some wear and tear and will be addressed during
upcoming research projects.

Figure 9 Tracking the success of string fencing.

Restora�on falls outside of Park mandates. Governor Baxter wished that “everything to live out its life
cycle naturally without interference from man.” BSP features a 29,000+-acre Scien�fic Forest
Management Area. This and the other parts of the Park have very specific regula�ons about ac�vi�es
that alter nature. On the research front, outside inves�gators must submit a detailed proposal to the

26
scien�fic research commitee. If approved, researchers coordinate closely with staff on protocols, for
housing (due to the Park’s remote nature), and other arrangements. In the past, Park staff has
conducted some air quality monitoring, and there was a lichen study conducted by Allison Dibble.
Currently, BSP par�cipates in Alpine Plant Watch, for which they collect plant informa�on at five sites
and note the plants bloom �mes. As of 2019, students working with Dr. Jill Weiss at SUNY-ESF are
helping the Interpre�ve Specialist with researching hiker preparedness and signage efficacy.
BSP has an informa�ve website that was recently
redesigned. Unfortunately, this informa�on competes
with other non-official sites and blogs that don’t
always provide the most accurate or helpful
informa�on. In the Park, bulle�n boards provide
hiking and camping informa�on, and adver�se in-park
educa�on programs. Visitor Centers have handouts on
various topics such as history, wildlife, and geology. At
this wri�ng, the park is embarking on a new signage
redesign for kiosk areas.

Figure 10 Endemic signage in the alpine zone.

Vitals
Baxter State Park
64 Balsam Dr.
Millinocket, ME 04462

Marc Edwards, Park Naturalist

marc@baxterstatepark.org
207-731-2637

Elise Goplerud, Interpre�ve Specialist

elise@baxterstatepark.org
Fall 2020: Interpre�ve Specialist TBD
207-731-4458

Website: www.baxterstatepark.org
Also on Facebook

Mission:
To protect the resources and preserve the wilderness experiences in Baxter State Park.

27
Acadia Na�onal Park
Acadia Na�onal Park is managed by the Na�onal
Park Service, and is one of 61 Na�onal Parks in its
care. It is around 73 square miles or 47,000 acres,
and is described on its website as: “Comprised of a
cluster of islands on the Maine coast, Acadia is
within the broad transi�on zone between Eastern
deciduous and Northern coniferous forests, and
hosts several species and plant communi�es at the
edge of their geographic range.” The Park covers
much of Mount Desert Island and neighboring
islands off the Atlan�c coast of central Maine, plus a Figure 11 Endemic Bates cairn.
por�on of the Schoodic Peninsula on the mainland.
In 2018 there were 3.54 million visitors to the Park.
Such a number requires a huge commitment to both passive and ac�ve stewardship by all Park
divisions, and pa�ence on the part of educators. Some common issues include hikers and campers off
trail/durable surfaces, dogs where prohibited or off leash, and the public taking or disturbing rocks from
cairns, seawalls, and summits.
Park work is carried out by five NPS work divisions: Resource Management, Visitor and Resource
Protec�on, Interpreta�on, Administra�on and Maintenance. Each division has a Chief. All report to the
Superintendent, assisted by the Deputy Superintendent.
Un�l 2017 the stewarding program was found within Resource Management, directed by Charlie Jacobi,
Visitor Use Specialist. Well known to the alpine stewardship community, Charlie re�red from his NPS
role, but the legacy and posi�ve impacts of his trail management research and innova�on lives on.
Upon his re�rement the Ridge Runners and Cadillac Summit Stewards programs merged under one
seasonal coordinator funded by the Friends of Acadia, and housed within NPS ANP’s Interpre�ve
Opera�ons Office. As a federal agency, Acadia Na�onal Park is prohibited from raising funds for itself.
Friends of Acadia (FOA) is a nonprofit that
takes on this task, and the stewards are
hired through their funding. All of the
educators are known as Summit Stewards
and follow the combined tradi�ons of the
previous programs and leadership, as well as
addressing new visitor educa�on needs in
the park.
Stewards maintain cairns on trails, close
trails with brush, provide Leave No Trace
(LNT) educa�on to visitors, and monitor
visitor use (counts, traffic, surveys, etc.).
Four Stewards are hired for Summer and
Fall; four for summer only. Four STEWARDs
and one Rec Tech are hired for 10 weeks,
mid-June through late August. The job is
99% day work, but occasionally they will stay
Figure 12 Crowds on Gorham. over for visitor monitoring or remote
sites/projects. Schedules are planned so at

28
 least three stewards are on each day, and about one or two
days per week, everyone is on duty for special projects.
With the larger team they can cover all areas of the park,
which is important during the very crowded summer months.
Two days a week are on Cadillac Mountain, one of those days
is a later shi� to cover sunset on the mountain. The other 3
days of Summit Steward’s work week they can be found on
any trail in the park. Mountains frequently visited by Summit
Stewards are Gorham Mt, Beehive, Precipice, Sargent Mt,
Acadia Mt, and Beech Mt.
There is no handbook, but various resources are shared
throughout the training, which is roughly 15 days, and
includes some Park-wide trainings and light trail maintenance
techniques. Stewards also learn about Park history, fauna
and flora – with special aten�on to alpine plants. They
par�cipate in the two-day LNT training, get oriented to trails
and sites, and prac�ce interpreta�on and visitor contact
Figure 13 Steward maintains trail with a view.
techniques that emphasize the Authority of the Resource.
Each day out, stewards complete a patrol log that
summarizes ac�vi�es, work, number of LNT contacts, number of cairns (built or destroyed), missing or
damaged signs, problems or unusual ac�vity, and large groups. Stewards use a map on the form to
iden�fy loca�ons. This is a great help for planning and management. Stewards post a general status
report weekly. This informa�on is shared with Friends of Acadia as well.
The Hiking Trails Foreman manages trail work and trail crews. Stewards have some overlap in training
for techniques for cairn building, brushing, basic trail maintenance and quick fixes and occasionally work
on special projects. Acadia employs several exclosure and passive management strategies. There is
some signage and ongoing experimenta�on for more, but there is some resistance here (as well as
other sites) about its aesthe�c merit. Other passive techniques include rope and stones, cairns (as
wayfinders), and scree wall (as trail guidance not restora�ve).
A variety of scien�fic study occurs at Acadia, including social science, recrea�on ecology, educa�on
techniques, efficacy studies, trail inventories, and soil cover, site management. Stewards have
conducted social science and visitor use
surveys in the past. Recently ANP hired a social
scien�st (at his wri�ng, Adam Gibson) for the
park. It is our understanding that he has been
working with the Bar Harbor and ANP
Transporta�on Plan. Other researching
ins�tu�ons include University of Vermont (Bob
Manning), Virginia Tech (Jeff Marion), and
University of Maine (John Daigle and others).
Acadia Na�onal Park has an extensive official
and standardized website that is part of the
larger Na�onal Park Service website. Visitor
Centers and bulle�n boards at trailheads and
Figure 14 Signage, Brushing, and exclosure technique. campgrounds also share LNT and conserva�on
informa�on. Acadia enjoys an excellent

29
rela�onship with local media, for the Park drives the local economy. Print sources include The Mount
Desert Islander and Bar Harbor Times (weeklies), and the Bangor Daily News. One may also hear and
see stories on TV and radio through Boston Network Television, and Maine Public Radio. Acadia’s
stewardship work has been ac�ve in the media with PSAs. ANP, BSP and several other Maine
organiza�ons came together to produce “Leave No Trace in Maine,” and educa�onal DVD.

Vitals
Acadia Na�onal Park
PO Box 177
Bar Harbor, ME 04609

Na�onal Park Service

Kathy Grant, Lead Interpreta�ve Opera�ons Specialist
Kathy_grant@nps.gov
207-288-821

Website: www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm

Mission of NPS:
“…to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein, in such manner and by such means as
will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future genera�ons.”

Mission of ANP:
The management of Acadia Na�onal Park today is driven by the mission of the Park, which was spelled out in the 1992
general management plan: “The Na�onal Park Service at Acadia Na�onal Park protects and preserves outstanding scenic,
natural, scien�fic and cultural values for present and future genera�ons their programs, facili�es, and services. It also
provides programs and opportuni�es for non-consump�ve, resource-based recrea�on and educa�on for an increasingly
urban popula�on.”

Friends of Acadia
Seasonal contact:
Stephanie Ley, Summit Steward Coordinator
summitsteward@friendsofacadia.org
207-288-8711

Permanent contact:
Paige Steele, Conserva�on Projects Manager
paige@friendsofacadia.org
207-288-3340

Website: www.friendsofacadia.org

Mission:
“Friends of Acadia preserves, protects, and promotes stewardship of the outstanding natural beauty, ecological vitality, and
dis�nc�ve cultural resources of Acadia Na�onal Park and surrounding communi�es for the inspira�on and enjoyment of
current and future genera�ons.”

30
Maine Appalachian Trail Club
The Maine Appalachian Trail Club (MATC)
maintains the Appalachian Trail from Katahdin
to Maine Highway 26 in Gra�on Notch – 267
miles; and over 40 miles of related side trails.
The Club is an all-volunteer, nonprofit
corpora�on that was organized on June 18,
1935, to assume responsibility for the
management, maintenance and protec�on of
the Appalachian Trail (AT) in Maine. Except for
in Baxter State Park, the MATC is responsible
for trail design, construc�on, and
maintenance, for monitoring ac�vi�es in the
AT corridor, and for basic public informa�on
and educa�on regarding the Trail in Maine Figure 15 Ridgerunner at Saddleback.
north of Gra�on Notch. The MATC is not a
hiking or ou�ng club. It exists solely for the protec�on and perpetua�on of the AT. The MATC is not
affiliated with, nor is it a part of, the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC). However, like AMC, MATC
coordinates management ac�ons with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) and the landowners.
The ATC sponsors a Hundred Mile Wilderness educator managed by MATC. MATC has an Execu�ve
Commitee (Board) with six officers, five “Overseers of Trail” (a.k.a. District Overseers) and eight
addi�onal board members. This group par�cipates, along with members, in 15 commitees. A Club
Coordinator is the only paid employee and is half �me. Seasonal staff includes Ridgerunners (RRs), Base
Camp Coordinator(s), and the Trail Crew. Volunteer Trail Maintainers cover much of the day-to-day trail
maintenance.
The field educators in this organiza�on are called Ridgerunners (RRs). There are four posts, running
roughly May to October. The schedule is either 10 days on 4 days off, or 5 days on 2 days off. All RRs are
on duty for holiday weekends. They put in a full day, but mornings and late a�ernoon/evenings are
when hiker contact is most important, so RRs may take personal �me midday. The two RRs posted at
campsites (Horns Pond, Piazza Rock) must be nearby and available in the late a�ernoon or evening to
greet campers, check in expected groups and do programs. RRs patrol one of four designated areas;
three include summits. They are primarily Leave
No Trace (LNT) educators. They share flora, fauna,
trail, and safety knowledge and they record the
number of contacts. RRs provide a daily
management presence deterring environmental
impact, vandalism, injuries and illegal fires,
lessening the need for emergency personnel. They
have contact with around 10,000 visitors per
season. Visitors to the Maine sec�on of the AT
vary wildly in experience and number. For
example, at Gulf Hagas, a popular canyon, one
may see a trail overrun with inexperienced hikers,
while at Abol Bridge numbers may dwindle to a
single thru-hiker per day. At posts where they
Figure 16 MATC Ridgerunners tidying up a cairn. manage campsites, they check in registered
groups, and conduct LNT workshops.

31
 MATC has a Ridgerunner handbook plus several reference
pages on their website regarding campsite, privy and trail
maintenance. They started using Fas�ield Mobile Forms
in 2017. New RRs are brought together for a five plus-day
training in June that involves a 3-day pack-in with
volunteers and the site supervisor. During this trip, they
set up the Horns Pond camp, review all procedures and
prac�ce the job. There is another mid-season training
Figure 17 Alpine training at Saddleback. (where they mix the compost toilets) and a late-season
mee�ng to wrap up. This organiza�on provides educa�on
about and the protec�on of alpine zones and high use areas through its ac�vi�es, but “alpine
stewardship” is not an explicit focus.
Several dis�nct par�es handle trail maintenance. All trail work is carefully assessed and planned by the
NPS and ATC who share informa�on with the Volunteer District Overseers (a.k.a. Trail Overseers). Each
has one of five sec�ons, and manages the work done in their sec�on by the Volunteer Trail Maintainers.
Trail maintenance is not part of the RRs job. They are educators. However, they will work to keep the
trail clear and passable, and occasionally join a trail maintainer or crew on a task. Other than signage,
and standard blazing, passive management techniques are not in use above treeline.
MATC does not par�cipate in alpine restora�on and only below the treeline if it is part of a trail repair
project. Scien�fic study is not part of the MATC mission. However, Ridgerunners have assisted with
research such as an angler study for ME Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and a ci�zen science project
regarding alpine birds for the VT Center for
Ecostudies. The Club Coordinator is aware that
some universi�es conduct research along the
route and the ATC does undertake studies
periodically.
MATC has a very informa�ve website that lists
coming events, job pos�ngs, maintenance
informa�on for RRs, volunteer opportuni�es and
membership informa�on. There is an in-house,
seasonal newspaper known as “The MAINEtainer.”
MATC may also appear in the Bangor Daily News
Figure 18 From Bigelow on the AT.
as part of a feature or in “The Register,” an ATC
online publica�on.

Vitals
Maine Appalachian Trail Club (MATC)
PO 7564
Portland, ME 04112

Holly Sheehan, Club Coordinator

coordinator@matc.org
207-518-1779

Website: www.matc.org

Mission: The MATC "exists solely for the protec�on and perpetua�on of the Appalachian Trail" in Maine.

32
Green Mountain Club
The Green Mountain Club (GMC) is a nonprofit, membership
based, hiking club and a resource for hikers visiting the Long
Trail, Appalachian Trail and the Green Mountains in Vermont.
Started in 1910, GMC maintains the entire Long Trail, which
runs the length of Vermont, as well as many access trails.
GMC is an advocacy and education organization that shares
low impact trail practices, safety skills and multiple guides
and publications to enhance the hiking experience. GMC has
protected more than 78 miles of the Long Trail system and
25,000 acres of backcountry land. Plant species of note
include Boott’s rattlesnake root (Prenanthes boottii), black Figure 19 View from Camel's Hump.
sedge (Carex atratiformis), and highland rush (Juncus trifidus).
Organizational partners include the University of Vermont, Stowe Mountain Resort, Vermont
Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Appalachian
Trail Conservancy, and private landowners. Alpine visitorship centers around the peaks near the
Waterbury Center, VT Headquarters. Because of the Toll Road and the Gondola (together moving over
25,000 users per year) that run up from the Stowe Mountain Resort, visitorship on Mt. Mansfield skews
heavily towards the non-hiker. Hiking is more strenuous on Camels Hump and Mt. Abraham, so
experience ranges from novice hiker up to very experienced and thru-hikers.
Paid staff germane to this report includes one Director of Field Programs, one Field Assistant, 6-8
Caretakers and Summit Caretakers, and several Interns. GMC has a 40-year tradition of hiker contact on
summits. As described by Dave Hardy in 2011, “GMC is alpine stewardship minded, but its central focus
is on the Long Trail and the hiker experience.” GMC began this field education practice with a pilot
program of “Ranger Naturalists” on Mt. Mansfield and Camels Hump. Now called “Summit Caretakers”
(SCs), hiker education for the alpine zone continues. SCs are hired for a May to October season, while
caretaking takes place year round on other parts of the Long Trail. As of 2018, it was noted that the
hiking season is starting earlier. GMC uses volunteers for
coverage, but considering starting their caretaking season earlier.
SCs are posted at Mt. Mansfield, Camels Hump, Mt. Abraham,
Taft Lodge, the Mt. Mansfield Visitor Center, plus a few other
high elevation posts on the Long Trail. New SCs have a one-week
orientation that includes a LNT awareness training,
demonstrations on visitor contact, and an orientation hike to the
alpine zone on Mansfield with natural history and plant ecology.
They also do a search and rescue overview with the local squad.
Caretakers employ hiker education and backcountry stewardship
in order to minimize and counteract the effects of trail overuse. A
low-key, one-to-one educational approach is utilized. In addition
to protection of the fragile high-elevation areas, duties include
providing information to hikers about the Long Trail System and
about natural history, collecting trail use data, preparing reports,
and trail maintenance. SCs follow an irregular five-day week that
always includes weekends and holidays. Tools and equipment are
provided. Indoor days off housing is provided for all field staff,
Figure 20 Summit Caretaker on Mansfield
ridge securing string.
and they stay at designated tents and cabins while on duty. SCs
supply their own food and other incidentals. The Visitors Center

33
in the old radio tower building at the top of Mt. Mansfield has had some display improvements, but the
condition of the building is poor, and it is uncertain if this will be the site of an upgraded center as
discussed as far back as 2011.
GMC is an early adopter and innovator of passive
management above the tree line, and employs several
techniques including string fencing, bog bridges
(vegetation spreads underneath), scree walls, paint
blazing, and signage. Cairns are minimized, as loose rock is
scarce and precious for soil retention in Vermont alpine
areas. Restoration is not part of their mission. However,
recovery and growth of plant community area occurs
through their trail management techniques.

Figure 21 New puncheon (a.k.a. bog bridge) on SCs are encouraged to participate in the Northeastern
Mansfield. Alpine Flower Watch. State Botanist Bob Popp (VT Fish
and Wildlife) monitors rare plants on Mansfield and
Camel’s Hump. Other research varies; it includes birds (geo- location, banding, etc.), butterflies and
other insects, vernal pools, baseline and long term monitoring of soil, air, water, plants, and animals,
alpine plant inventories, and photopoint studies. Besides the University of Vermont Natural Areas
program, which is a partner of GMC, other ecological researching organizations include the Vermont
Center for Ecostudies (bird monitoring), Vermont Monitoring Cooperative, Charles Cogbill and other
individuals. As of 2018, The VT Trails and Greenways Council had conducted an economic impact
analysis and in 2019 the VT Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation conducted a Statewide
Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) Survey, which will inform resource allocation goring
forward.
GMC enjoys attention for multiple regional media outlets. GMC has a very informative website,
publishes countless guides and is active on Facebook. Their in-house quarterly is called the “Long Trail
News.”
Vitals
Green Mountain Club
4711 Waterbury-Stowe Rd.
Waterbury Center, VT 05677

Keegan Tierney, Director of Field Programs

k�erney@greenmountainclub.org
802-244-7037 x20

Ilana Copel, Field Supervisor

Fall 2020: Field Supervisor TBD
802-244-7037 x118

Relevant websites: htp://www.greenmountainclub.org (GMC); htps://www.uvm.edu/environmentalprogram/uvm-natural-

areas (UVM Natural Areas); htps://fpr.vermont.gov/ (VT Dept. of Forests, Parks & Recrea�on);
htps://www.stowe.com/the-mountain/more-op�ons/sustainability.aspx (Stowe Mountain Resort - Environmental Efforts)

Mission:
The mission of the Green Mountain Club is to make the Vermont Mountains play a larger part in the life of the people by
protec�ng and maintaining the Long Trail System and fostering, through educa�on, the stewardship of Vermont's hiking trails
and mountains.

34
Randolph Mountain Club
Founded in 1910, The Randolph Mountain Club (RMC)
maintains a network of nearly 102 miles of hiking trails
in the Presidential and Crescent ranges in the White
Mountains. RMC is a nonprofit trail club with around
800 members as of October 2011. RMC has a Board of
Directors with 15+ members and many active
committees. Paid seasonal employees include a field
supervisor, trail crew and two caretakers. Around 15%
of the trail system is about 3000 feet, and leads to the
peaks of Star King, Madison, Adams, and Jefferson. The
RMC section of the White Mountains is rugged and
remote in places, but trailheads are available all along
Route 2. This means a great variety of hiker experience
and preparedness. RMC is concerned about the well-
being of these hikers but also the protection of the Figure 22 Caretaker mixing the compost toilet.
resource and at-risk species from human impact and bootleg campsites.

This club has a lower profile than the other organiza�ons in this study. Its volunteer board and members
focus on trails, not educa�on of hikers, but their Caretakers (CTs) have influence on the hikers with which
they interact. There are two CT posts, one at Crag Camp (three season) and the other a Grey Knob (four
season). CTs may be hired for one season and/or stay on for several. It is a full-time job the covers all
weekends and holidays. For the most part, CTs follow a ten days on, four days off schedule. Their
primary job is to protect RMC facilities, the trail, and collect fees from overnighters. During the day, CTs
will take a variety of routes through the RMC trail system at stop at the two other camps, the Log Cabin
and The Perch to ensure the well-being of visitors, do some RMC public relations and provide hiker
education. CTs see up to 4000 visitors per year. The summer CTs get a three-day orientation with the
trail crew, club members, and partner organizations to be oriented to the trails, Lodge, camps,
composting toilets, safety procedures, rules, and regulations. CTs keep a log at the camp; usually post a
blog, and complete forms related to incidents, retail
sales (shirts, etc.) and fee collection. LNT and alpine
zone education is part of the conversation, but not
the central message.

RMC has a professional trail crew that undertakes

large projects, mainly below the treeline, but with
new projects on popular routes to 4000 footers,
they expect to interact with the public more and
more. Volunteers are an important part of regular
trail maintenance across the system and provide
support to this crew with special workdays. Passive
Figure 23 Caretaker view from RMC camp. management above treeline consists of path and

35
arrow signs, brushing, scree and cairns. There is also the
alpine zone signage at Grey Knob and RMC’s distinct
wayfinding signage throughout the system.
RMC has a very detailed website that is geared towards
record keeping (lists, blogs, pictures) and informing its
members of activities. They have increased their social media
presence and are adopting technologies like card readers and
membership software to improve operations. They sell
publications and maps of the area through their website and
at the camps as a fundraising strategy. The “Randolph
Mountain Club Newsletter” is their biannual news
publication.

Vitals
Randolph Mountain Club
PO Box 279
Gorham, NH 03581
Figure 24 RMC Trail.
Note: The Board and Chair roles of RMC rotate regularly. As of Summer,
2019:

Bob Drescher
Chair, Trail Commitee
drescher_wp@tds.net

Carl Herz
Camps Commitee
cherzx87@gmail.com

Website: htps://www.randolphmountainclub.org/index.html

Mission:
The purpose of the Randolph mountain club is to promote enjoyment of the Randolph, New Hampshire area through hiking,
trail development, upkeep of camps and shelters, and sharing the collec�ve knowledge of its members.

36
USFS - AMC- ATC Volunteer Alpine Stewardship Program (VASP)
The Volunteer Alpine Steward Program (VASP) is a
partnership between the US Forest Service (USFS), the
Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), and the Appalachian
Trail Conservancy (ATC). In the case of Mt. Washington,
VASP also collaborates closely with New Hampshire
State Parks and Mt. Washington Auto Road. VASPs work
centers on Franconia Ridge between Litle Haystack and
Lafayete and on Mt. Washington trails above tree line.
Franconia Ridge forms the backbone of the Franconia
Range, which connects the major summits along part of
circuit hike with spectacular views. This area hosts
around 1.8 miles of alpine zone along its ridge, and is
extremely popular for hiking, but because of the Figure 25 VASP at work!
trailhead’s adjacency to I-93, a State Park Campground,
and a Park Visitor Center only a few miles away. Species of note include pincushion plant (Diapensia
lapponica), mountain cranberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) and alpine bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum). Mt.
Washington is the highest summit in the Northeast, also has alpine zone areas, and is extremely popular
for hiking, because of its drama�c characteris�cs, but also because of easy access via the Mt.
Washington Auto Road and the Cog Railway, and proximity to Mt. Washington State Park. Species of
note and primary issues are similar to Franconia Ridge.
Primary issues are visitors off trail and ignorance of LNT principles. The “Alpine Stewards” focus their
efforts on popular summit cone trails and not on the summit itself (which is covered with facili�es and
parking, and is overseen by on-site state park staff). The stewards educate the public about the fragile
nature of the alpine ecosystem by approaching hikers in a non-confronta�onal manner, increasing
awareness of hiker impact, and answering ques�ons about the trail and the ecology. Stewards also
monitor research plots and record plant phenology data for six alpine species, and perform light trail
maintenance, primarily repairing cairns and scree walls. In recent years, the corps of volunteers has
between 20 and 30 members. Stewards sign up for weekends in advance. There is a commitment to two
weekends per season, and the weekend s�nt is Friday a�ernoon
to Sunday a�ernoon. On Franconia, one Steward is based at
Greenleaf Hut and the other camps at Liberty Springs Tentsite.
On Mt. Washington, the Steward is based at Pinkham Notch
Visitor Center/Joe Dodge Lodge, and has the op�on of riding free
on the Auto Road to access trails above treeline faster than
hiking up each day. At each of their overnight facili�es, Stewards
may deliver evening programs or provide informal outreach as
they engage with guests during and a�er meals.
AMC’s Outdoor Program Centers Volunteer Coordinator, with
support from USFS and ATC liaisons, primarily manages VASP.
There are three Lead Stewards who par�cipate in a fall VASP
leadership mee�ng with those AMC, USFS, and ATC staff and
assist with the spring training weekend. New stewards atend
spring training each of their first two years. Experienced
Figure 26 VASP volunteer with hiking nuns stewards return to training at least once every three years and
2017. are welcome to return annually, as many do. The training

37
weekend focuses on Leave No Trace, alpine ecology, alpine trail
maintenance, hiker engagement, plant phenology data
collec�on, and other topics. Stewards are also required to hold
current Wilderness First Aid and CPR cer�fica�ons. VASP
par�cipates in Mountain Watch in partnership with the AMC
research department. In the past, they have par�cipated in air
quality, visibility and photopoint studies.
Professional and volunteer trail crews and trail-adopters do the
majority of trail work on Franconia Ridge and Mt. Washington.
Stewards repair scree walls, remove false cairns, and perform
other light trail work that aids passive management of alpine
zone.
Figure 27 VASP steward participating in
AMC and USFS have several avenues for communica�ng with the Mountain Watch phenology study.
public. Outside of direct contact, VASP does not engage in public
outreach or communica�on. Periodically, they appear in AMC's in-house publica�on called “AMC
outdoors” and there is a page about VASP within the AMC website.

Vitals
Appalachian Mountain Club
AMC Highland Center at Crawford Notch
White Mountain Na�onal Forest, U.S, US-302,
Breton Woods, NH 03575

Kyra Salancy
Outdoor Program Centers Volunteer Coordinator
ksalancy@outdoors.org
603-278-3820

Websites: www.outdoors.org (AMC) www.fs.fed.us (USFS)

Missions:

USFS
The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and produc�vity of the Na�on’s forests and
grasslands to meet the needs of present and future genera�ons.

AMC
The Appalachian Mountain Club promotes the protec�on, enjoyment, and understanding of the mountains, forests, waters,
and trails of the Appalachian region.
Volunteer Alpine Steward Program (VASP)
We promote protec�on of the alpine zone through on-site educa�on about fragile alpine vegeta�on, Leave No Trace
Principles, and low-impact trail tending. We encourage our fellow hikers to become caring stewards of this unique and fragile
land while experiencing the mountain adventure.

38
Welch Ledges
Welch Mountain is a prominent rocky peak that forms
the western wall of the narrow gateway to Waterville
Valley from which the Mad River flows. A short
distance to the Northwest is the exposed summit of
Dickey Mountain. There are many outstanding views
of the surrounding countryside that can be seen from
open ledges and rock outcrops along the Welch Dickey
Mountain trail. Welch Mountain is one of five places
in New Hampshire that jack pine survives. According
to NH Natural Heritage, the site is technically ‘sub Figure 28 L-R: Guy Waterman, SRCA Crew Member, Dick
alpine rocky bald,’ and the granite dome on Welch, Fortin, SRCA Crew Member on Franconia Notch training for
known as the Ledges, is the primary stewardship site. the Welch program, 1991.
These trails are popular, especially with the locals.
One can expect to see 100 to 200 hikers on a good weekend. Novice hikers go as far as the ledges, and
more experienced hikers con�nue on to the loop. Trampling the alpine plants is the central issue at this
site. Species of note include Appalachian sandwort (Minuartia glabra) and, Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana).
Welch-Dickey’s trail system is under the authority of the White Mountains Na�onal Forest. Most trail
work/ improvements below treeline have been undertaken by paid hiking club crews and volunteers
with USFS cost-sharing.
Restora�on work in 1991 and 1992 focused on delinea�ng soil “islands” with stone and brush in order
to protect outcrop communi�es from hiker trampling and erosion. In 2005, the “islands” were
consolidated in larger “restora�on units” and delimited largely with brush. In addi�on, some areas were
“brush-packed” (brush was piled in restora�on areas) to both discourage hiker trampling and provide
micro-habitats for outcrop recovery. In 2007 brush was removed from brush-packed areas because of
concern over possible changes in soil chemistry as a result of leaf and woody debris. Low log barriers
were placed to delimit restora�on area. Review of brush-packed sites in 2008-2011 show a substan�al
expansion of outcrop community vegeta�on in severely impacted areas. This suggests further study of a
combined brush-packing and brush removal regime for outcrop community restora�on.
Stewardship at the site originated in 1988 through a partnership between the Sandwich Range
Conserva�on Associa�on (SRCA) and the White Mountain Na�onal Forest. Trail crew members were
rotated on the mountain during weekends. In 1991- 92, an An�och New England Graduate School
master’s student, Dick For�n, was hired by SRCA to be a dedicated “Summit Steward.” The program was
modeled a�er GMC's “Ranger Naturalist” program and u�lized a non-confronta�onal/ passive
interac�on with public; reminding hikers to stay off plant communi�es; educate about the unique
ecology. Dick conducted plant community sampling during this period,
and Informa�on kiosks and signage were installed.
The stewardship was revived by Mr. For�n with support from the USFS
and the Waterman Scholarship Fund for the 2005 season. Chris Hilke,
another An�och student, was hired as the steward in 2005-2006. Nat
Scrimshaw, through the Margret and H. A. Rey Center (now called the
Rey Cultural Center) supported the stewardship 2006-2008. This
included hiring another An�och student as a dedicated steward for the
2007 season. Chris completed his An�och University New England
Master’s thesis project on the site during that �me in 2007. Other
Figure 29 Chris Hilke, c.2005.
people associated with this site at that �me: Rebecca Oreskes (USFS,

39
Waterman), Laura Waterman, Dan Newton (WVAIA), Dick For�n,
Jennifer Preiss (USFS), Nat Scrimshaw, Tom Wessels (AUNE).
The prac�ce was revived around 2010 by Kim Vota, the
Execu�ve Director of the Rey Center at the �me. The Welch
Ledges Educa�on and Stewardship Program involved stewards
who educated trail users about hiker impacts, collected data,
and protected the fragile plant communi�es on the Ledges. We
have no data from this program later than 2014. During 2017-
2018 the Rey Center underwent a restructuring, and stewarding
was not included in their 2018 or 2020 strategic plans. Leah
Elliot, current Execu�ve Director, was interviewed for this report
in 2018. She explained that stewarding is beyond their
organiza�onal capacity at this �me. One or more partners with
exper�se and funding would be required to being the prac�ce
back to the Rey Center.
To our knowledge, there is no organized stewardship program at Figure 30 Stewarding Session with Rey
the Ledges at this wri�ng. If you are aware of stewarding or program, 2013.
educa�on programs run by other organiza�ons or agencies at
this site, please contact the author of this report.
As of 2020 this site is dropped from our ASANE research as the
protocols require a partnering organiza�on and stewardship
ac�vity.

Vitals

If you have ideas for different models and/or capacity to help

bring stewarding back to this very busy hiking spot, please
contact Leah at the Rey Center.

The Rey Cultural Center (formerly Margret and H.A. Rey Center) Figure 31 2013 Welch Ledges Education and
13 Noon Peak Rd. / PO Box 286 Steward Program patch.
Waterville Valley, NH 03215

Leah Elliot
Execu�ve Director
leah@thereycenter.org
603-236-3308

Website: www.thereycenter.org

Mission (2018):
The Rey Cultural Center honors the Reys’ spirit of curiosity and discovery by increasing understanding of and par�cipa�on in
art, science and nature through programs for youth, adults and families.
Please visit their website to view the full strategic plan.

40
Dartmouth Ou�ng Club/ Moosilauke Stewardship
Dartmouth College owns 4600 acres on and around Mt.
Moosilauke (4802 feet). Moosilauke is the 10th highest peak in
New Hampshire, and a popular hike because the trails are well
maintained and there is no charge for parking. Dartmouth has
had a presence on Moosilauke since the 1920’s. Ac�vi�es on
the property centers on the Dartmouth Ou�ng Club (DOC)
Moosilauke Ravine Lodge. The Lodge, rebuilt in 2017, offers
accommoda�ons and meals to students, alumni and others.
They also host groups and conferences. The Lodge is o�en a
star�ng point for hikes up Moosilauke, and the new layout
features more educa�onal informa�on. The Lodge and trails are
Figure 32 The new Moosilauke Ravine
the responsibility of the Assistant Director of Outdoor Programs Lodge.
reports to the Dir. and Deputy Director of outdoor programs. As
of the 2019 data collec�on, the posi�on for Program Coordinator of the Outdoor Programs Office was
added. This role supervises stewarding.

Stewarding began here around 2003 with the help of the Waterman Fund. At the �me, trampling of
vegeta�on and rock the� was a big problem. The stewardship mission is to protect the alpine vegeta�on
while promo�ng the history and culture of the mountain. Field educators at this site are known as
“Alpine Stewards.” At this repor�ng we learned that stewarding is no longer a task of the Lodge Crew.
There is a paid summer Trail Crew and stewarding is part of their task rota�on. There are 8
crewmembers. They try to have a Steward at the summit 5 days per week: always including weekends
and heavy use days, where they interact with the public and remind visitors to stay on the rocks. They
share natural history informa�on or field guides as share info, maps, and guidebooks. Stewarding only
takes place during the summer season. Trailwork in other seasons is completed by volunteers.

Prac�cally all DOC programs are a volunteer student effort. The

ou�ng clubs and related ac�vi�es run with a ‘spirit of service’
and ‘shared responsibility’ philosophy. Very few leadership,
coordina�on and work posi�ons are paid. That said, addi�onal
volunteer and service opportuni�es are presented to the
Dartmouth community year-round. Some�me in the recent years
the Dartmouth Ou�ng Club has redesigned their website to
make it more user friendly. It is s�ll a place for informa�on and
links to the dozens of student run clubs, trip schedules, and
reports.

Restora�on is not part of the DOC mission, but trail crews have
engaged in erosion control projects on the summit that allow for
plant recovery. There is a limited amount of passive
management at Moosilauke above the tree line. Some bog
bridges below, brushing, and signage as you enter the alpine
zone. Cairns are used for wayfinding. String fencing has not been
Figure 33 The summit of Mt. Moosilauke.
used since some�me before 2010.

41
Moosilauke is the site of several research studies. One of note was started in 1986 and is on Forest
Dynamics. Researchers Dr. David Peart (Dartmouth College) and Dr. Peter Palmioto (An�och University
New England) have been monitoring permanently marked sites on the East and West aspect. The US
Forest Service and Bob Capers of University of Connec�cut have also been conduc�ng research.

Vitals
Dartmouth Ou�ng Club
Robinson Hall, Rm. 121
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH 03755

Willow Nilsen
Program Coordinator of the Outdoor Programs Office
willow.nilsen@dartmouth.cdu
603-646-2427

Rory Gawler, Assistant Director of the Outdoor Programs Office

rory.c.gawler@dartmouth.edu

Ravine Lodge Manager/Crew

moosilauke.ravine.lodge@dartmouth.edu
603-646-1607
In season contact Moosilauke Ravine Lodge manager 603-764-5858

Websites: www.dartmouth.edu (Dartmouth College)

htp://www.dartmouth.edu/~doc/moosilauke/ (Dartmouth Ou�ng Club - Moosilauke page)
htp://doc.dartmouth.edu/wiki/Dartmouth_Ou�ng_Club (Dartmouth Ou�ng Club Wiki)
Facebook page &Twiter account

Mission:
The purpose of the Dartmouth Ou�ng Club shall be to further, through camaraderie in the out-of-doors of a diverse and
inclusive membership, the educa�onal objec�ves of Dartmouth College and its principal of community, by s�mula�ng an
apprecia�on of nature and environmental stewardship, a knowledge of the fundamental cra�s of outdoor living, the crea�ve
use of leisure �me, and above all, the development of such personal traits as ini�a�ve, integrity, tolerance, self-reliance, and
leadership.

Figure 34 Typical plant community on Moosilauke.

42
Adirondack High Peaks Summit Steward Program (HPSSP)
The Adirondack Park was created in 1892 by the State of
New York and is one of the largest publicly protected
area in the contiguous United States. Park encompasses
approximately 6 million acres, nearly half of which
belongs to all the people of New York State and is
constitutionally protected to remain “forever wild” forest
preserve. The remaining half of the Park is private land
which includes settlements, farms, timber lands,
businesses, homes, and camps. One unique feature is the
presence of alpine ecosystems located on the highest
Figure 35 The 2018 Crew.
mountain summits. These alpine areas contain plant
species found nowhere else in the state. Above tree line, there is 173 acres of fragile alpine habitat,
spread across 21 mountain summits. Heavy hiker use is degrading these environments, and it has been
necessary in recent years to more strictly regulate access and use.

The High Peaks Summit Steward Program (HPSSP) is a partnership between the Adirondack Mountain
Club (ADK), the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), and the
Adirondack Chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and was founded by active members of the
Adirondack hiking and botany community around 1989. In 1989 thirteen people met to discuss what
was called “The Crisis in Summit Stewardship”—the damage inflicted upon rare plant species in the
alpine zone by increasing numbers of the recreating public. Groups represented included ADK, the
Green Mountain Club, the Adirondack Conservancy (now the Adirondack Chapter of The Nature
Conservancy), the New York Natural Heritage Program, the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and the Adirondack 46ers. The meeting was called by Prof. Edwin
“Ketch” Ketchledge, whose tireless efforts on behalf of the Adirondack alpine zone had already included
cataloging the rare vegetation and the damage it was sustaining, as well as beginning the work of
restoration. It was decided that the best way to protect the remaining alpine ecosystem was to have
people stationed on the summits, educating hikers to stay on the solid bedrock and off of the fragile
alpine plants and soils. The Adirondack High Peaks Summit Stewardship Program was born from this
meeting. It took a collaborative effort to get the program off the ground. ADK, the Adirondack
Conservancy and the NYSDEC agreed to partner to
hire, train, support, and supervise the stewards. The
46ers provided additional funding, and the New York
Natural Heritage Program provided some of the
scientific expertise needed. The following June,
1990, the first two summit stewards, headed up
Algonquin Peak and Mt. Marcy to begin the work of
educating hikers about the fragile alpine plants.
Since that time, over 100 other individuals have
worked as summit stewards, interacting with well
over half a million hikers mainly on Marcy,
Algonquin, Wright, Cascade and Colden.
Figure 36 Summit of Giant on Labor Day
(photo Vin Maresco).

43
 Their “Alpine Stewards,” or “Stewards,” are an
educational and interpretive presence on
summits with alpine vegetation. There is a full-
time coordinator that works out of the ADK’s
Adirondak Loj and reports out to the partner
organizations. They hire around five stewards
per year. Stewards are housed at ADK's Heart
Lake Property, and hike from there to their
backcountry posts, and are out for about for five
days at a time. Stewards visit each peak with
alpine vegetation at least once a season. The
Figure 37 Example of rock packing and scree wall technique used posts include Mt. Marcy, Algonquin, Cascade, Mt.
by HPSSP. Colden, and Wright Peak. While on duty they
educate the public about fragile alpine
communities, conduct biological inventories and monitoring, and work on alpine restoration, and light
trail maintenance.

There is a detailed handbook and two and a half-week training occurs each May. They review
Adirondack ecology, geology, botany plus other relevant natural and cultural history, interpretation
training, Authority of the Resource Technique, LNT Training, Wilderness First Aid, radio protocol, and
hand tool training. They also hike several of the summits to learn the routes, train on trail work
techniques, and practice greeting visitors. HPSSP had twenty-five active volunteers in the 2018 season.
Volunteers usually give a few days over the course of the season.

ADK has a distinctly separate leadership and crew for trail work. However, stewards are trained to assist
in trail clearing (blowdowns, etc.) and other maintenance of areas on their route, plus maintain cairns,
brushing in undesignated trails to close them off, rock packing, blazing, string fencing (with posts), and
scree walls in the alpine zone. The latter is part of restoration work on some summits. Several
restoration efforts have been made in the High Peaks, including Whiteface, Marcy, Algonquin, and
Colden. Active restoration is defined here as an application of a mix of red fescue, Kentucky bluegrass,
fertilizer, and lime. The non-native grasses stabilized the soil, but died off after a couple of seasons,
allowing alpine species to grow back.

Several restoration efforts have been made in the High Peaks: (1) Whiteface has had active restoration
through the early 90s (including bringing grass seed, fertilizer and lime mix), scree walls; (2) Marcy had
some active restoration (grass seed, fertilizer mix), but those efforts ended in the 80s and has had
passive restoration (scree wall, string fence, rock packing), since; (3) Algonquin had more active
restoration than Marcy, but ended at the same time and has had passive restoration since; and (4)
Colden had restoration sites but mostly has had some passive restoration.

Active restoration is defined here as an application of a mix of red fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, fertilizer,
and lime. The non-native grasses stabilized the soil, but died off after a couple of seasons, allowing
alpine species to grow back. The HPSSP is involved in photopoint monitoring study, or systematic re-
photography, since 1999 at points first shot in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. From this study, we’ve found that
peaks that have a regular summit steward presence are seeing a much greater increase in the amount of
vegetation versus peaks that do not have that regular summit steward presence.

44
Furthermore, we have seen no statistically
significant change in vegetation from 2009 to
2015 despite our contact numbers doubling.
This means summit stewards are holding the
line despite high use. They are also interested in
quantifying the effects of their program, so
methods such as attitude surveys are under
consideration, and interested in collaborating
with other orgs to investigate efficacy of
stewardship practices. HPSSP also participates in
Mountain Watch and does other work with the Figure 38 ADK expanded their visitor center and added
NY Natural Heritage Program and the SUNY classroom yurts, and a new snack bar/wash house building.
Schools looking at changes in population of rare
alpine plants.

Information about alpine stewardship is found within ADK’s website, and the “Alpine Alert” note is
included in all their guidebooks. The program has been listed in local papers (Adirondack Daily
Enterprise, Lake Placid News) and covered by local radio (North Country Public Radio). “Adirondac” is
ADKs bimonthly magazine. In recent years, ADK has increased its social media presence.

Vitals
Adirondack High Peaks Summit Steward Program (HPSSP) Websites:
c/o Adirondack Mountain Club www.adk.org (ADK)
PO Box 867 (Adirondak Loj) htps://www.adk.org/protect/volunteer/summit-
Lake Placid, NY 12946 stewardship-program/ (HPSSP)
www.dec.ny.gov (NYS Dept. Environmental
Kayla White, Summit Steward Coordinator Conserva�on)
chiefsteward@adk.org www.nature.org ,
518-523-3480 x18

Seth Jones, Educa�on Director A special thanks to Kayla White who wrote content for this
seth@adk.org section. It has been edited back here because of space
constraints. The full version will be available in the web version of
518-523-3480 x 19
the report.

HPSSP Mission: ADK Mission:

To protect New York’s alpine habitat through educa�on, trail work, …Is a member directed, non-profit organiza�on dedicated to
and research. responsible recrea�on and stewardship of NYS forest preserve,
wild lands, and waters.

NYS DEC Mission: TNC Mission

…to conserve, improve and protect New York's natural resources
and environment and to prevent, abate and control water, land
and air pollu�on, in order to enhance health, safety and welfare of
the people of the state and their overall economic and social well-
being.
…to preserve the plants, animals and natural communi�es that
represent the diversity of life on Earth by protec�ng the lands and
waters they need to survive.

45
Monadnock Ecological Research and Educa�on Project
The 3,165 �. Mount Monadnock is at the center of
Monadnock State Park, located in southern New
Hampshire, about 90 miles northwest of Boston, MA.
NH Parks and Recrea�on has the management
contract on the thousands of acres of protected
highland that surround it, but several par�es share
the ownership of the landscape. In addi�on to having
aesthe�c, recrea�onal, and economic importance,
Mount Monadnock is ecologically diverse. Mount
Monadnock’s open summit is an excellent example of
the subalpine rocky bald natural community as
defined by the New Hampshire Division of Forests
and Lands, and there are several exemplary forest
Figure 39 The busy summit.
communi�es on the hillsides below. The Mountain's
steep al�tudinal grade, la�tudinal posi�on between
two ecoregions, a fire-induced �mberline, and other condi�ons contribute to an abundance of plant
communi�es. In fact, all three of New Hampshire's biomes, alpine tundra, boreal forest, and eastern-
deciduous forest, are found on the mountain. These biomes include plant communi�es that typically
occur at more northern la�tudes and higher al�tudes. For instance, the high-eleva�on spruce-fir forests
on the mountain's upper slopes replicate lowland forests at more northern la�tudes. The rocky balds
are home to communi�es found at higher eleva�ons in the White Mountains. Species of note include
Appalachian fir clubmoss (Huperzia appalachiana), boreal bentgrass (Agrostis borealis), highland rush
(Juncus trifidus), and mountain sandwort (Arenaria Montana).
The mountain is “2nd most climbed” in the world. Ten thousand visitors over Columbus Day weekend,
for example, is not unusual. The majority of visitors are recrea�onal or novice users from within 2-3
hours driving distance. MERE Stewards usually make at least 1000+ contacts per season. Their primary
issues are hikers off trail/ bushwhacking, unprepared hikers, and large group impact. Dogs were
historically an issue, but no longer allowed in the park.
Mount Monadnock’s loca�on, high use, and unique natural atributes prompted Peter Palmioto and
graduate students from An�och University New England (AUNE) to begin the Monadnock Ecological
Research and Educa�on Project (MERE) in 2007. MERE’s alpine mission is to “enhance the visitor
experience while maintaining integrity of the mountain.” MERE has a director (full-�me AUNE faculty)
and a part-�me staff funded through federal work study and small grants, that includes a project
coordinator, educa�on coordinator, volunteer coordinator, and two to four summit stewards/educators
(pending funding). MERE’s educators are known as “Summit Stewards” or “Stewards,” and perform both
patrol and educa�on tasks. They interact with public in a friendly way, educate about the alpine plants
and human impact, and assist park manager in emergencies. It is a day job and Stewards average
around one day per week that requires strenuous hikes to Mt. Monadnock Summit or the Virginia Falls
Site (top of most-used trail). They focus on days with large groups (300+ students), holidays and
weekends. During inclement weather, Stewards put in office �me researching and preparing
educa�onal materials. Some Stewards do school visits as well. MERE coordinates closely with the Park
Manager, but unfortunately, there has been a lot of turnover in that posi�on over the past 10 years,
which has been disrup�ve in terms of communica�on, rela�onship building, and ins�tu�onal memory.
MERE has a Summit Steward handbook; review and training varies depending on when the new
Steward starts. Some stewards atend a formal training at the invita�on of the ADK HPSSP. These

46
 stewards train others. New stewards review park policy and emergency procedures
with the Park Manager. Stewards work with the park’s volunteer program, which is
now a few years old and focuses on trail adop�on, maintenance, and park cleanup.
Trail work is managed by NH Parks and implemented by the Society for the
Protec�on of NH Forests, community service groups, visi�ng volunteer trail crews
and individual volunteers. At this �me MERE Stewards do not do trail work. Passive
management above the treeline includes some park created blazing and other
wri�ng painted on rocks (done years ago). MERE has experimented with scree wall
and signage in partnership with the park.
An�och University New England (AUNE) is the only ins�tu�on at work on the site. Research includes
plant Monitoring (Adopt-A-Crevice-Community with Keene High School), ice storm damage analysis
(permanent sampling points in map preview below),
some experimental restora�on studies, and a planned
photopoint study. Graduate students have conducted
user studies in the past, and one managed a redesign
of the visitor center exhibits a few years back.
MERE has a website nested within the larger AUNE
site. It is informa�ve and provides an overview of the
organiza�on and the social and ecological condi�ons
of Mt. Monadnock, and their current educa�onal and
research ac�vi�es. MERE has an excellent rela�onship
with the local paper, the “Keene Sen�nel,” and o�en
appears in their environmental sec�on “River Record.”
Figure 40 At a MERE Meet the Mountain Day.

Vitals
MERE
c/o An�och University New England
40 Avon St.
Keene, NH 03431

Dr. Peter Palmioto, Director of MERE

Chair of Environmental Studies Department at AUNE
ppalmioto@an�och.edu
603-283-2338

Websites: www.an�ochne.edu (AUNE)

MERE: htps://www.an�och.edu/new-england/resources/centers-ins�tutes/monadnock-ecological-research-educa�on-
project-mere/
Monadnock State Park: htp://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/monadnock-state-park.aspx
NH Forest Society: htps://forestsociety.org/home

Mission:
The Monadnock Ecological Research and Educa�on (MERE) Project was ini�ated in 2007 by Professor Peter Palmioto and
graduate students in the Environmental Studies Department at An�och University New England …to promote informed use
and foster apprecia�on of Mount Monadnock through ecological research, monitoring, and educa�onal outreach.

47
Appendix F - Trends
This sec�on is an excerpt from the Par�cipant’s Report. It is a round up old and emerging trends, shi�s
in the prac�ce and developments reported since 2011 with special emphasis on material collected
during 2018-2019 interviews.

Stewarding as Career Step

Monitoring the working condi�ons of the stewards has
been a valued part of the study because through
sharing of this data, managers have been able to make
improvements based on what they observe at other
sites. Yet, the system works under the assump�on that
stewarding is seasonal work pieced together with
other work to form a living wage over a year. Wages
were not mee�ng this target when I began looking at
this system in 2010, but there have been some
Figure 41 Steward monitoring traffic at Cadillac 2018. posi�ve changes. First, stewards do not sleep in their
cars anymore. When I first started data collec�on
there were several instances where stewards on their off days had no housing. We should be glad this
problem is resolved. Pay has increased across the system, although there are some low spots.
Individuals may be penalized career-wise if the scheduling of the season does not match up with spring
or fall opportuni�es and commitments, or if they cannot ar�culate the relevant transferrable skills of
stewarding for poten�al employers. A few programs are developing career pathways for stewards within
their organiza�ons. Perhaps that is a signal that it is �me to adjust our assump�ons about this job. It can
be a posi�ve step on a career path rather than a punishment or a summer off. Stewarding is a skilled job
that requires a lot of training. If employment condi�ons are not atrac�ve, stewards do not return.
Training new people each season puts a drag on already taxed resources. Formerly neglected, strategies
for reten�on and year-round employment are emerging.

Leadership Changes
Consistent leadership in both land management and programming areas are important to this prac�ce.
In the past three years, every single site in the study has experienced leadership changes. New
leadership can bring fresh perspec�ves, energy, and skill set, but there are unavoidable costs. In one
case, Monadnock State Park has had six different park managers since 2007. This means the stewards of
An�och’s MERE program must broker access and support for their work in the park almost every other
year. At several other sites, en�re leadership teams have changed having various impacts on the
stewarding at those sites. IN the case of the Dartmouth Ou�ng Club at Moosilauke, stewarding
responsibili�es were shi�ed to the trail crew, actually resul�ng in more stewarding days, and just
recently new management staff were hired. Some of this is objec�vely good news, but there is a price.
The enthusiasm and the talents of the new people does not mi�gate the renego�a�on of roles, the �me
loss, and tacit knowledge loss. As shared earlier in this report, alpine stewardship relies on the sharing

48
of non-quan�fiable knowledge and skills. In short, we engage in prac�ces that cannot be taught over
the phone or in a spreadsheet. Side-by-side learning takes �me, exper�se, and ins�tu�onal memory.
“RECENT”
LEADERSHIP
OR
MANAGEMENT
Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
CHANGES
FS-
ADK
BSP ANP MATC GMC RMC AMC DOC W-D MERE
VASP HPSSP

Whole System Initiatives

Another patern we are seeing across the Northeast is whole system
ini�a�ves. This past year the University of Vermont administered
the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recrea�on Plan (SCORP)
Survey. The SCORP’s goal is to “assess the provision and need for
outdoor recrea�on in [Vermont].” It guides policy programs and
funding. Held every five years, the survey ensures the State of
Vermont will have access to federal funding and can guide those
funds towards real use needs. The 2019 survey is now closed but you
can view and comment on the dra� un�l 12/12/19. 9 Just this year
Acadia Na�onal Park released a transporta�on plan and
environmental impact statement to address transporta�on, public
safety, infrastructure impacts and quality of visitor experience. This
process represents a major investment in the future of this well-
loved park. I encourage you to take a look. 10 The Adirondacks are at
the start of a comparable treatment. Community, organiza�onal and
ins�tu�onal stakeholders are working with the New York State
Department of Environmental Conserva�on to address safety, Figure 42 Stakeholders rank priorities at
economic, recrea�onal quality, and conserva�on concerns along the one meeting 2019.
Route 73/High Peaks Corridor. The Franconia Ridge Working Group
has been addressing trail management, overuse, and strategic planning for the Franconia Ridge area in
the White Mountains. The group is comprised of the USFS White Mountain Na�onal Forest, the
Waterman Fund, New Hampshire State Parks, New Hampshire Fish and Game, the Appalachian
Mountain Club, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and other individuals very experienced with the
area. 11 They organized their inves�ga�ons using the Visitor Use Management Framework (VUM),
developed by the Na�onal Park Service. The VUM “provides cohesive guidance for managing visitor use

9 https://fpr.vermont.gov/scorp
10 https://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=203&projectID=58482&documentID=94071
11
Dan Sperduto, Charlie Cogbill, Nat Scrimshaw, Scott and Barbara Monroe, and others; https://www.watermanfund.org/wp-
content/uploads/WatermanFundNewsletter2017-WEB.pdf

49
on federally managed lands and waters” and is designed to break this very complex job into dis�nct
steps. 12 At this wri�ng, some recommenda�ons for hiker outreach and data collec�on are in the pilot
phase. This leads me to men�on a new network, the White Mountain Trail Collec�ve that is comprised
of several dozen volunteer trail clubs and allies that support and maintain all the handmade trails in
New Hampshire. They are coming together to network, pool their resources, and advance their work.
Mat Coughlin, a trail consultant for the WMTC in 2019, presented at the Gathering. 13 The fact that all of
these are happening now says a lot about the past decade in terms of resource overuse. It will be
interes�ng to see what sorts of conversa�ons we will have 10 years from now.

WHOLE
SYSTEM Y Y Y Y Y Y
FS AMC ADK
BSP ANP MATC GMC RMC DOC W-D MERE
VASP HPSSP

Cairns and Rock Stacking

Rock cairns are used in many of our trail systems to
mark the trail above the treeline. While several
sites allow signage and blazing, just as many do
not. In the case of Acadia, there are also special
Bates cairns all over the park that are extremely
prone to tampering. 14 Cairns are essen�al above
the treeline, especially in the winter months where
snow, ice, and poor visibility may obscure the
route. New hikers may assume that cairns are
there for aesthe�cs, so it makes it easier to pull
rocks off them to make their own rock stacks.
Anecdotally, it seems that when people see rock Figure 43 Cairns on Mt. Washington 2019.
stacks, they want to make their own rock stack.
Rock stacking and cairn tampering violate Leave No Trace principles and some federal and state
regula�ons, depending on the site. They also put people and their poten�al rescuers, at risk. Based on
the data collected since 2011 and the 2018-2019 interviews, cairn tampering, and rock stacking is s�ll
on the rise in most places, but has leveled off at Baxter, and the RMC system. At Moosilauke the DOC
has mixed feelings on how or if to enforce because the stacking takes place in and around the
founda�on of the old hotel – not really a natural area. Monadnock does not have cairns and there is
litle material on the summit to work with so not an issue.

12
https://visitorusemanagement.nps.gov/VUM/Framework
13
https://wmtrailcollective.org
14
Besides the stewards keeping after them – a volunteer group known as the Walden Warriors adopts trails for cairn repair.

50
 CAIRNS/
ROCK         N/A
STACKING

FS
ADK
BSP ANP MATC GMC RMC AMC DOC W-D MERE
HPSSP
VASP

Human Waste
Human waste con�nues to be a problem. Anecdotally, human waste
presence, e�quete, and disposal has been a part of the conversa�on since
2010, it was at NEASG 8, where the staff at Baxter State Park presented a
poster on the poop problem. Since, human waste was men�oned in data
collec�ons for 2016 and 2018, and in the 2018-2019 interviews. Of the nine
par�cipa�ng sites, all report that waste is s�ll a problem, and four sites are
repor�ng an increase. While always a part of the Leave No Trace messages
shared in this network, and several sites and allies have created
Figure 44 Human waste at Franconia
videos and educa�onal materials, no site has reported an effec�ve Notch Station 2019.
method for addressing this problem.

HUMAN
WASTE         
FS
ADK
BSP ANP MATC GMC RMC AMC DOC W-D MERE
HPSSP
VASP

Technology
We can agree that certain types of technology are remarkable and even lifesaving when used in the
right way, but unfortunately, some technologies create a space for unpreparedness, which leads hikers
into dangerous situa�ons. All Trails (alltrails.com) seems to be the most popular way people get their
informa�on about their hike. While the website may offer prepara�on informa�on and user feedback,
most o�en the hiker just has the snapshot of their target trail and are not able to place themselves in a
larger area if condi�ons require a route change. These problems are amplified when users are out of cell
phone range. We atempted to confirm and explore this trend during the 2018-19 interviews that
included informal conversa�ons with hikers. We found that hikers were not carrying paper maps and
compass as back up. In one discussion, hikers were comparing different loca�ons’ wayfinding types.
Some said certain trail systems (Adirondacks and Randolph Mountain Clubs were among those
men�oned) were very confusing and they could not always figure out where they were. When they

51
were asked if they were able to find their loca�on on a map, all in this par�cular group, a mixture of
self-described novice and intermediate hikers, admited they did not carry a backup map or compass.
Correspondingly, when the same ques�on was posed to a self-described “solo peak bagger” they
defensively stated they did not need paper maps and listed out other back up technologies such as GPS
and a rescue beacon. Another heavily reported issue is rogue Facebook pages, Twiter feeds or Reddits
where users are distribu�ng informa�on about trails and challenges that may not fall within the
regula�ons of the sites or reflect actual condi�ons. People are also sharing hikes and runs through
Strava. This phone app tracks and shares routes and �ming informa�on to the Strava community, whose
culture is compe��ve. It is popular for trail runners and walkers who want to find abandoned or closed
trails. Conversely, it is useful for enforcement because authori�es can use the posted Strava route as
evidence that someone has been ac�ve in a closed area. All repor�ng sites claimed an increase and
problems related to these websites and apps. In a few cases, stewarding sites have reached out to page
owners to nego�ate changes or posted compe�ng pages and videos. This topic area is ready for
independent study.

ALL
TRAILS
Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

FB. ETC. Y Y Y Y Y Y NR Y Y
STRAVA,
ETC.
NR Y NR Y Y Y NR Y NR
FS
ADK
BSP ANP MATC GMC RMC AMC DOC W-D MERE
HPSSP
VASP

52
“Other” – Things to watch out for...
This sec�on is a catchall for waxing and waning trends worth monitoring for growth in the future.

Front Country Stewardship

Recent data collec�on revealed a steep increase in front country stewardship. Stewarding organiza�ons
such as Acadia’s Ridge Runners, now known as Alpine Stewards, and Monadnock’s MERE Summit
Stewards and others have done tabling at the trailheads and events for a while. We are seeing more of
that across the system at the trailheads but also in lodges, schools, and new visitor centers. External
partners and sponsors are star�ng to get involved. For example, the 46er Trailhead Steward Program
(TSP) is a joint effort between the 46ers, the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK), and the New York State
Department of Environmental Conserva�on (NYC DEC a.k.a. DEC). TSP’s mission is to support
sustainable use of the trails in the high peaks region of the
Adirondacks by providing educa�on about the DEC rules and
regula�ons alongside Leave No Trace principles. 15 Recently ADK has
added more learning spaces at the Adirondak Loj and Heart Lake
Center, and in 2016, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC)
expanded the Appalachian Trail Visitor Center in Monson, Maine. 16
It is at the entry of the Hundred-Mile Wilderness on the Appalachian
Trail (A-T). Here, a steward sponsored by the ATC and managed by
the Maine Appalachian Trail Club (MATC) is devoted to educa�ng
through-hikers on preparedness in the Hundred-Mile Wilderness,
Baxter and Katahdin e�quete and safety. Expect to see more efforts
where volunteer groups, towns and retail stores (such as REI),
Figure 45 Appalachian Trail Visitor
partner with organiza�ons to help educate hikers and promote trail Center Munson, ME 2019.
care, as discussed in the next sec�on.

FRONT
COUNTRY
Y Y N/A Y Y Y Y
FS
ADK
BSP ANP MATC GMC RMC AMC DOC W-D MERE
HPSSP
VASP

Retail Relationships and Sponsors

Retail chains such as L.L. Bean, Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) and local ou�iters have had
rela�onships with various stewarding organiza�ons over the years for promo�ons, gear rentals,
sponsorships and more. As EMS’s presence is fading regionally, REI (the Northwest’s Recreational

15 http://www.adk46er.org/trailhead-steward-program.html ; Leave No Trace Principles: https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/

16https://appalachiantrail.org/home/community/news/2016/06/20/newly-expanded-appalachian-trail-visitor-center-opens;
Additional partners: additional partner groups: Baxter State Park staff, Friends of Baxter State Park, Appalachian Long-Distance
Hikers Association.

53
Equipment, Inc. Co-Op) is cu�ng a larger figure, and is atending mee�ngs of various trail interest
groups, opening stores in New Hampshire and Vermont, and sponsoring programs. 17 Why does this
mater? It is well researched that hiking trails are regional economic contributors. 18 A ques�on worth
examining: do stronger partnerships between the organiza�ons that maintain and monitor trails and
commercial retail and tourism companies have any short or long-term benefits?

Dogs
We heard many more complaints in the
interviews about dogs off leash, misbehaving,
leaving waste or causing damage. It is true
that some of our sites do allow dogs to be off
leash, but they must be under control. Some
dog owners are not taking responsibility and
are making other hikers uncomfortable or
afraid. It was reported that compared to
other norm breakers, dog owners are the
most outraged when they are approached
about this problem. A simple Google search
yields tons of advice and products for keeping
dogs safe on the trail, but very litle about
which trails and spaces are compa�ble with
hiking dogs. This complex educa�on and
policy issue needs some aten�on. Perhaps
Figure 46 Trail Dogma Article, AMC 2013.
we can provide easier ways to find good
guidance and links to policy such as one of
AMC’s webpages en�tled Trail Dogma. 19

Music
Likely due to the prolifera�on of inexpensive Bluetooth speakers we heard more complaints about
music without headphones. 20 The problem highlights Leave No Trace concepts six and seven: respect
wildlife and be considerate of other visitors. These and other behaviors that break tradi�onal hiking
norms may signal that some new hikers may have trouble interpre�ng these ethical direc�ves at
unfamiliar sites or in backcountry se�ngs. This is an educa�on opportunity.

17 https://newsroom.rei.com/news/corporate/
18 https://doi.sciencebase.gov/doidv/doi-activity.html A report about economic contributions from the Department of the
interior, Recreation sector; Various stories on NH’s mountain economy: https://stateimpact.npr.org/new-
hampshire/?s=White+Mountains ; A meta-analysis from the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association:
https://conservationtools.org/guides/97-economic-benefits-of-trails .
19 https://www.outdoors.org/articles/amc-outdoors/trail-dogma-national-state-and-amc-rules-for-hiking-with-dogs
20 https://www.backpacker.com/stories/leave-no-trace-confessional-listen-closely

54
Microtrash and “Leavables”
Not litering, exactly, “leavables” are a class of items inten�onally
le� by trail users for variety of reasons. More and more common
along the A-T and the Long Trail, je�soning unwanted gear is a
growing problem. This popula�on and their former ranks also
engage in a prac�ce known as “trail magic,” in which impromptu
“hiker feeds” (trailside picnics) and surprise drinks or treats le�
for thru-hikers, which eventually atract wildlife and become
microtrash. 21 All sites reported an increase of microtrash in Figure 48 Trail magic on the A-T gone wrong.
recent years. While many have transi�oned to reusables, much of
what we use has small caps or seals, or wrappers that blow away. Some of the liter is uninten�onal.
One interviewee reminded me that trekking pole “feet”, used to protect the trail from damage, easily
come off in the mud unno�ced. Hiker feeds and unatended food. Peace or kindness rocks are a trend in
which people paint small rocks with designs or suppor�ve messages and leave them for others to find. 22
Well-inten�oned and not guided, the rocks appeared along
trails all over the Northeast. It appears that its peak was the
2017-18 season and we can expect the trend to fade, but not
the memory of how much work it created for stewards. I also
heard reports of invasive tributes like carvings or cement
structures. 23 In addi�on to managing the above, stewards
spend �me hiding and removing photos, keepsakes, dog
collars, and more – all of these things add up, are constant
reminders of other people, and erode the sense of solitude
wilderness promises. 24
Figure 49 Peace rocks.

LEAVE-
ABLES
      NR  
FS
ADK
BSP ANP MATC GMC RMC AMC DOC W-D MERE
HPSSP
VASP

21 http://appalachiantrail.org/home/explore-the-trail/thru-hiking/trail-magic
22 https://www.thekindnessrocksproject.com/
23 Note: It is lawful to scatter ashes of human remains at all sites, but some sites suggest, such as Acadia National Park, applying

for a free permit so they may assist with logistics.

24 The Wilderness Act of 1964. (2015, April 13). Retrieved December 30, 2019, from https://www.justice.gov/enrd/wilderness-

act-1964; Stankey, G. H., Lucas, R. C., & Lime, D. W. (1976). Crowding in parks and wilderness. Design and Environment, 7(3),
38–41. http://winapps.umt.edu/winapps/media2/leopold/pubs/39.pdf

55
Fastest Known Times/Redlining/ Proliferation of Lists
Prac�cally every trail in the Northeast has
associated hike or run comple�on �mes. “Fastest
Known Time” hikers are trying to do it faster.
Respondents shared anecdotes of such folks yelling
“out-of-the-way” or shoving past. It is not clear at
this �me, but this prac�ce may be spurring rogue
trail management such as reopening closed trails,
or addi�onal/non-sanc�oned blazing and signage.
While such behaviors are a breakdown in trail
Figure 47 One of the many "Lists" websites. e�quete, it speaks more about changes in hiker
mo�va�on. Besides going faster, many hikers want
the bragging rights of comple�ng a list. In New Hampshire, a hiker may be rushing by you because they
are “redlining.” Redlining is the prac�ce of hiking all of the trails described (and marked as red lines) in
AMCs White Mountains Guidebook. 25 First completed in 1991 by John Burroughs using the 25th edi�on
of the guide, the prac�ce increased in popularity around 2010, and by 2018, it was hard to avoid
someone who was trying to complete this or another list in the Presiden�als. 26 Examples include 4K
Every Day, New Hampshire Fire Towers, New England 3000 footers, 48/70 (comple�ng all 48 peaks a�er
your 70th birthday), 48 In One Winter, and many more. There are several similar challenges in other
states. The most famous is the 46ers in the Adirondacks. Unexpected new contributors to such lists are
retailers or towns trying to increase tourism in their area. Conflict ensues when they do not let the
managing agencies know that they are promo�ng a hike or three-peak challenge – so there is poten�al
for conflict there. The lists put hikers and their feet (and likely their poles and spikes) on all the trails in
all seasons and unfortunately, condi�ons. This con�nues to be an emerging management issue.

Trekking Poles and Microspikes (and Expanding Shoulder Seasons)

Our observa�ons lead us to consider these subjects together. In the earliest ASANE interviews in 2010
and through the 2015 Gathering, the alpine stewarding community expressed very strong concerns over
trekking pole damage. As of 2018, repor�ng of these concerns has vanished. In the 2018-19 interviews,
par�cipants claimed that trekking pole use was steady or even on an increase, but when pressed about
the damage, admited that they may have (1) become accustomed to the damage, or (2) the trails had
widened to accommodate their use. In most interviews, the prolifera�on of “Microspikes” (tm Kahtoola)
and related damage was raised and has increased by all accounts. Respondents lamented that (1)
hiker’s new ability to get to dangerous, icy areas, and (2) policing mud season. Almost all sites
responded longer seasons because of climate change, great difficulty reaching hikers to educate them
about damage. 27 This cluster of topics warrants further explora�on and monitoring.

25 https://redlineguiding.com/2017/08/redlining-the-white-mountains/
26 http://www.48x12.com/white-mountains-red-lining-finishers.php
27 Note: In the case of the Green Mountain Club, the new season pushing beyond their stewarding schedule.

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Fat Bikes and Other Increased Winter Use
Over the past three years, conversa�ons have increased about fat bikes (mountain bikes with big, wide
�res for snow and sand), especially in wet condi�ons. Biking on trails with knobbed �res can cause harm
to trail surfaces and vegeta�on, especially during thaw periods. Anecdotally, fat bikers are aware of
poten�al damage to trails and the e�quete is to stay off them during the wet season, but the rapid
growth in popularity of fat bikes, may mean Leave No Trace messaging may not be ge�ng to new users
or may not translate as easily for some users in the new sport. It should be noted that during the most
recent Gathering (2019) there was discussion about fat biking and the access it provides to previously
un-trailed and wild areas, impac�ng vegeta�on and wildlife. Fat bikes are representa�ve of increasingly
popular winter sports such as ice climbing and glade skiing that may not directly affect the alpine plants
but adds new voices to the access discussion. It makes managing peaks, trailheads and parking that
more complicated.

Goats!
This just in: Mere days a�er the 2019 Gathering where Kyra Salancy of AMC showed an image of a
packing pet goat on a hiking trail in the White Mountains, Na�onal Public Radio and Montana Public
Radio broadcast a story on the rising popularity of pack goats on backcountry hiking trails in Western
states. Reporters went on to state that “… Goats representa�ve of the larger unforeseen impacts
brought by the larger boom of outdoor recrea�on.” 28 Federal agencies are responding with regula�ons
for the prac�ce and 10 states are considering bans. For those of us interested in protec�ng fragile alpine
vegeta�on, this is concerning as the animals can and do eat all vegeta�on and may do so before their
owners realize what has happened.

Each one of these trends is exacerbated by increased use.

According to the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, spending on
outdoor recrea�on is outpacing the US economy and shows no
sign of slowing. 29 The ques�on is what should be done about it?
This space is ready for further explora�on through the capacity
and compa�ble ac�vi�es literature.

If you see any major shi�s in these trends or note new ones,
please contact me so I can query the group during the next data
collec�on, each odd numbered year. Figure 48 Rogue blazing on Cascade in the ADKs
2019.

28 https://www.npr.org/2019/11/10/777219377/as-backcountry-travelers-shift-load-to-goats-national-forests-eye-risks
29 https://www.bea.gov/data/special-topics/outdoor-recreation

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