Spotlight: Coronavirus Task Force

The first Wisconsin Rovers trip of 2020. The crew replaced the Spring Creek Bridge and followed all of the new guidelines. (above and right)

Photo: Bob Leedle

Spotlight: Coronavirus Task Force Valerie Bader, Director of Trail Development

As with everywhere else in on establishing a framework for trail the world, the Coronavirus leaders to make good decisions about significantly impacted the how NCT volunteers could safely North Country Trail and its volunteer consider hikes, trail projects and events community over the past several over the 2020 field season. months. Projects and maintenance days The “Volunteer Responsibly” were postponed, chainsaw and Crew guidelines include the following Leader training events were cancelled, recommendations: and events and hikes put on hold indefinitely. NCT volunteers adapted to these changes, even with increased • Minimize the spread by staying home if you feel sick Trail visitation almost everywhere • Focus on projects rather than across the Trail. In May and June, NCT public hikes or events locales began to reopen and individual • Limit group size to 10 or fewer land managers began to welcome group participants projects on the Trail, so NCTA was met with the new challenge of providing guidance for volunteers to return to work safely with Coronavirus still • Maintain six-foot distance between volunteers and trail users impacting our Trail communities. • Use face coverings when physical

NCTA established a 16-member Task distancing isn’t possible Force to help address best practices and guide discussion and decision making. • Practice good hygiene The Task Force is composed of Chapter • Clean tools between use and and Affiliate leaders, volunteers, avoid sharing National Park Service and U.S. • Keep projects local and avoid Forest Service partners, NCTA Board shuttles representatives and Association staff. The Task Force focused initial efforts • Avoid conflict

Allegheny National Forest Chapter takes a break and puts on their masks when physical distancing isn't possible.

Photo: ANF Chapter

More information and the full guidelines document can be found on NCTA’s Trail Alerts web page. The Task Force will continue to meet regularly over the coming months and re-evaluate the guidelines based on changing conditions across the Trail. Many thanks to this great group of people who have jumped into engaging conversations and challenging decisionmaking to keep NCT volunteers safe, happy and healthy.

VOLUNTEER GUIDELINESVOLUNTEER GUIDELINES

The North Country Trail Association provides these guidelines as framework for Trail The North Country Trail Association provides these guidelines as framework for Trail Leaders to make smart decisions based on our collective knowledge and best practices. Leaders to make smart decisions based on our collective knowledge and best practices. Participants are expected to adhere to these guidelines for the safety and health of our Participants are expected to adhere to these guidelines for the safety and health of our volunteers and Trail community. Your safety is the #1 priority.volunteers and Trail community. Your safety is the #1 priority. Visit northcountrytrail.org for additional information.Visit northcountrytrail.org for additional information.

MINIMIZE the spreadMINIMIZE the spread FOCUS ON PROJECTSFOCUS ON PROJECTS keep it smallkeep it small

Stay home if you feel sick. Stay home if you feel sick. Minimize contact with anyone Minimize contact with anyone outside your household. outside your household.

KEEP DISTANCEKEEP DISTANCE

Prioritize trail projects, and Prioritize trail projects, and do not host public hikes and do not host public hikes and events.events.

use ppeuse ppe

Limit group size to < 10 Limit group size to < 10 and consider breaking into and consider breaking into smaller work groups.smaller work groups.

practice good hygienepractice good hygiene

6 ft.6 ft.

Maintain a six-foot distance Maintain a six-foot distance (two Pulaskis) between (two Pulaskis) between volunteers and trail users.volunteers and trail users.

care for toolscare for tools

All volunteers must use All volunteers must use face masks when physical face masks when physical distance isn’t possible.distance isn’t possible.

TRAVEL SAFELYTRAVEL SAFELY

Wash hands frequently. When Wash hands frequently. When soap and water is unavailable, soap and water is unavailable, use hand sanitizer.use hand sanitizer.

AVOID CONFLICTAVOID CONFLICT

NORTHCOUNTRYTRAIL.ORGNORTHCOUNTRYTRAIL.ORG

Avoid sharing tools. Clean all Avoid sharing tools. Clean all tools before and after use, tools before and after use, disinfect between projects.disinfect between projects. Keep projects local, Keep projects local, and avoid carpools and avoid carpools and shuttles.and shuttles. Keep interactions positive Keep interactions positive and focused on information and focused on information sharing, not enforcement.sharing, not enforcement.