by Matt Konkle
Managing Editor
Where there are campsites and trails, there is often trash as, unfortunately, not every piece of refuse makes it into a disposal area.
For the popular New Hampshire section of the White Mountain National Forest, this is especially true after a long summer season.
So, thanks to a Quadratec ’50-for-50’ Trail Stewardship Initiative Grant, nine volunteers recently headed into the forest to make a difference.
They gamely overcame a particularly rain day and removed 200 pounds of trash from campsite and trails around Intervale, while also installing some updated kiosk signage at the area entrance.
Additionally, the group moved some boulders at several over-trafficked trailheads to restrict access and hopefully let nature regain some balance.
In all, the volunteers improved over nine miles of trail for the day.
”Tread Lightly! was super organized, skilled, enthusiastic, and not above any task,” said Cristin Bailey, Saco Ranger District Trails Manager. “The signs TL! made for us are beyond our expectations and it was fun to see them get installed during the project. I would highly recommend any land manager to host the Northeastern TL! group. Everyone had a blast, and we got a lot done on the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire and Maine. Can’t wait for the next project.”
This White Mountain National Forest Improvement project was the 10th of 50 trail and public land restoration events Quadratec will help sponsor in each state by April 2024.
So far, through its supported projects, the 50-for-50 Stewardship Grant has accumulated 4,516 volunteer hours with a total value of $134,672, pulled away 78,155 pounds of trash and improved 452 miles of trail.
Quadratec’s ’50-for-50’ stewardship grant fund helps project managers pay for equipment, fees, volunteer support, food, fuel, signage and other miscellaneous costs.
Quadratec has been a supporting partner of Tread Lightly! for more than 20 years, and a longtime fundraiser for Tread Lightly!’s stewardship programs. The company has also promoted Tread Lightly! and other trail restoration efforts through its Quadratec Cares ‘Energize the Environment’ program.
Clubs and individuals are required to be active, supporting members of Tread Lightly! to be eligible to apply for ’50-for-50’ grant funding. To learn more about the Quadratec ’50-for-50 program, visit Quadratec's 50 for 50 Trails Stewardship Grant Initiative.
Recommended Reading:
Quadratec, Tread Lightly! ’50-For-50’ Public Land Cleanup — Maggie Valley, North Carolina
Quadratec's 50 State, 50 Trail Stewardship Initiative Reaches Halfway Mark
