• Massachusetts Forests and Parks in Crisis
• Coleman Chapter Trails Challenge
• AMC Trail Resources

The AMC maintains and protects over 1,400 miles of trails in the Northeast, including 258 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Learn more about our region's trails and how you can help protect them.

Massachusetts Forests and Parks in Crisis

Although Massachusetts is the sixth smallest state in the nation, it has the ninth largest forest and park system in the country, making the state an especially attractive place to live. More than 12 million visitors a year seek out Massachusetts' forests and parks to bring mental and physical health to their lives, enjoying swimming holes and fishing streams, sunsets and wildflowers, quiet hikes, and peaceful bird-watching.

Lack of funding and a decreasing number of staff working to accommodate an increasing number of visitors have placed Massachusetts forests and parks in jeopardy. Specifically:

• Chronic misuse of parks and damage to natural resources are occurring as a result of inadequate staffing.
• Deteriorating facilities, owing to a $100 million backlog in routine maintenance and infrastructure improvements, potentially jeopardize public health and safety.
• Shrinking visitor services (parks closing earlier in the year, school programs being cut, fewer lifeguards on duty) have resulted from an 11 percent cut in the Department of Environmental Management's budget from 2001 to 2002.

Join AMC in the Coleman Chapter Trails Challenge

The Coleman Chapter Trails Challenge has been set up to encourage AMC members to adopt new trails segments outside of those currently maintained by the club. Since 2005, 185 miles of trails have been newly adopted by AMC members throughout the region. New adopters and current trail maintainers will be eligible for a range of rewards from t-shirts and dinner to complimentary lodging at AMC Destinations.

There are currently trails at Douglas State Forest and Wachustt Mountain State Reservation that need adopting.

For more information on trail adoption opportunities or to arrange training in your area contact Don Hoffses at dhoffses@outdoors.org 617-523-0655 Ext. 358.

Appalachian Mountain Club Trail Resources