2023Accomplishments / 2024 Goals 2023Accomplishments / 2024 Goals
The 235-mile New England Trail (NET) includes portions of four largely contiguous trails: the Mattabesett,MenunkatuckandMetacometTrailsinConnecticutandpartsoftheMetacometMonadnock Trail in Massachusetts. Designated as a national scenic trail in 2009, and marked withblueblazesinConnecticutandwhiteinMassachusetts,theNEThassomethingwonderful tosharewitheveryone.
The principal trail stewards of the NET are the staff and volunteers of the Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA) in Connecticut and the Western Mass Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) in Massachusetts They are assisted by the National Park Service (NPS) in managing, protecting, restoring and caring for this scenic New England treasure. For more information, including guides and maps, please visit www.newenglandtrail.org.
View from the trail on the traprock ridgeline. - Henk Margaret
NEW ENGLAND TRAIL
Total Trail 235 miles
Caring for the Trail
132 CTVolunteers
41 MAVolunteers
173Total Volunteers
Giving Time to the Trail
6,880 volunteer hours
Valuing Volunteer Time
$218,784
Hike50 & Hike100 Challenge
100 + Participants
47 Challenges Completed
3,852 miles hiked in 2023
Exciting Happenings in 2023
The NETis now a Unit of the National Park System! Of the six national scenic trails under the administration of the National Park Service, three were recognized as units and three, including the NET, were not.This new designation will ensure equal treatment and opportunities for the NET, including the possibility for increased resources and support.
The NEThosted KatherineAndrews as our second Community VolunteerAmbassador, in a year-long conservation internship.They assisted with many outreach and capacity-building projects for the trail, including preparations for the re-launch of ourArtist-in-Residence program.
Land Conservation
TrustforPublicLand,inpartnershipwiththeNationalParkServiceand U.S.FishandWildlifeServiceconserved200acresalongtheNETin Southwick,MA.Theproperty,andabout1/3ofamileofthetrailitself, willbemanagedaspartoftheSilvioO ConteNationalWildlifeRefuge
TheSouthwickpropertyhostsasignificantrangeofwildliferesources
ThepropertyincludespartofProvinMountain,astretchofthetraprock ridgelinerunningfromthecoastofConnecticuttotheMountHolyoke range Theserarelandscapeshostsceniccliffs,wetlands,andvernal poolsaswellasanabundanceofrareplantcommunitiesinunique microclimates.
wwwnewenglandtrailorg wwwnps
FundingforthislandpurchasecamefromtheLandandWater ConservationFundwithadditionalsupportfromtheNationalPark Foundationandprivatefundraisingefforts.
2023ACCOMPLISHMENTS
ENGLANDTRAIL
NEW
gov/neen
Hike 50 Challenge patch.
Enhancing the NET Experience
Mapping and research of culturally significant sites along the MAportion of the trail is underway.Tribal Consultant, Jay Levy, is continuing documentation of the trail’s Indigenous history. Levy is also interviewing Native experts and planning interpretive hikes.
An interactive storymap of these sites and stories has been developed for the NET website and is being enhanced with new information from MA.
Blazing a Trail- 2024 Goals
We are working to develop innovative projects, programs and partnerships to enhance the trail experience, to cultivate an enduring network of trail volunteers and partner organizations, and to ensure that the NETis accessible, inclusive and relevant for all.
These goals include:
Continuing Indigenous site survey work in MA
Re-launching ourArtist-in-Residence program
Releasing the NET’s Foundation Document
Developing a new trail reporting and inventory system
Improving overnight accommodations for long-distance hikers
Implementing aTransit toTrails study in MA
Launching an inclusive hike series in CT& MA
“One of my favorite experiences was seeing the Long Island Sound for the first time from one of the ridges in southern CTand realizing that I was seeing the end of my journey.” -Abigail M. of Windsor Locks, CT
“I love hiking on the NET.There is such a variety of areas to explore!The trail varies so much from season to season.”
-Patricia E. of Holyoke, MA.
“The NET... has so many miles to explore at your own pace!”
-Stephen K. of Somerset, MA.
Aerial view of newly protected trail property in Southwick, MA.Highlights Hike Challenge
CFPA and AMC young adult Trail Crews working to improve the NET for hikers.
In Massachusetts,AMC's ProfessionalTrail Crews, joined by the HolyokeTeenTrail Crews, spent six weeks resurfacing a popular shared section of the NETand Robert FrostTrail leading to the summit of Mount Norwottuck.The project is part of a two phase MassTrails Grant, in partnership with Kestrel Land Trust and Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR). In 2024, crews will construct infrastructure to improve existing treadway, minimize erosion and improve the longevity of the trail and the hiker experience. AmeriCorps crews spent two weeks at the Robert FrostTrail constructing three boardwalks and a footbridge. HolyokeTeenTrail Crews spent six weeks building bridges, boardwalks, maintenance patrols, and closing off social trails.
In Connecticut, CFPA’s Connecticut Woodlands Conservation Corps (CWCC) worked on projects at various locations along the NET.These projects included a substantial trail relocation in Berlin, installing timber crib steps and an elevated bog bridge in Middletown.The crew also worked on the Lone PineTrail, a major connector to the NETin Guilford, where they built an 8-step stone staircase.The crew loved the variety of project types, learning new skills, camping for 8 days at a time and soaking up the scenery along theTrail.
NETVolunteers installed a moldering privy at the Richardson Zlogar Cabin in Northfield, MA. Volunteers committed long hours during their weekends to the construction of the privy, working collaboratively towards its completion.A handful of severe storms provided many opportunities for adopters to take care of blowdowns on the trail. In November, the adopters congregated at the annual fall gathering to celebrate their success over the last year.
Connecticut’s volunteer Rock Stars continued work on stone staircases and retaining walls at Giuffrida Park in Meriden to better stabilize the trail and discourage erosion. Volunteers also joined our CWCC team over a series of work parties to re-build footbridges and to relocate sections of trail to more sustainable locations.
TRAIL CREWS: MIRIAM MAISTELMAN New England National Scenic Trail Planner Appalachian Mountain Club mmaistelman@outdoors org 413 835.4591
CLARE CAIN Trails Director Connecticut Forest & Park Association ccain@ctwoodlands.org 860.346 8733
VOLUNTEER PROJECTS: ANDREW LONG TrailAdministrator National Park Service ne@nps.gov 413.351 8182
CFPAand the Berlin LandTrust collaborated on construction of new bog bridging just north of Lamentation Mountain. VolunteerTrail Managers worked together and independently to clear brush, install signs, cut blowdowns, paint blazes, and keep the trail in great shape for our hikers.