North Zone Trail Crew
Hundreds of miles of trails in the Monongahela National Forest and no dedicated crew to maintain them. Your donation helps change that.
Clearing the Path for Thriving Communities
If you’ve spent any time exploring the magnificent Monongahela National Forest, you know its sheer scale is as impressive as its beauty. With 894 miles of multi-use trails and 200 developed recreation sites spanning over 920,000 acres, the MNF is an unparalleled resource across our entire region.
But here’s the truth: maintaining the largest recreation asset in WV is a constant, significant challenge.
Mountains of Maintenance
Responsibility for trail maintenance falls to a limited number of recreation-focused Forest Service employees, none of whom are dedicated solely to trail maintenance.
Our land managers rely heavily on amazing volunteer groups and partner organizations, who donate hundreds of hours to keep these trails open. They do heroic work, yet the scale of the need across the entire Forest vastly outpaces what current resources can handle. The result? A growing backlog of unmaintained trails.
It’s an equation that simply doesn’t balance: something had to change.
Replication and Collaboration
Three years ago, a major win arrived: the MNF and partners secured Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) funding to contract a dedicated trail crew in the Mon’s South Zone (the Snowshoe Highlands Area Recreation Collaborative or SHARC model). This crew has been transformational in improving the user experience there.
Building on this success, the Mon Forest Towns Partnership (MFTP) and the USFS, long-time collaborators in leveraging the Forest for economic development, set their sights on the North Zone.
A Quick-Hit, High-Impact Strategy
The maintenance on many North Zone trails has been deferred for years. So, for this pilot, we’re starting smart:
- First Pass Focus: The crew will cover ground quickly, performing a “first pass” focused on widening corridors, enhancing drainage, and clearing downfall to ensure trails are passable.
- Big Goals: We believe a three-person team can clear 3-5 miles per day, with the ambitious goal of improving 300 miles—over half of the North Zone’s total mileage—in the first season!
This first pass isn’t just about clearing; it’s also about cataloging. The crew will identify sections that need more extensive, heavy-duty rehabilitation (such as treadwork, rock armoring, or reroutes) for subsequent seasons, giving us a clear, actionable roadmap.
The Hope for a Sustainable Future
This pilot crew is a launchpad, not a finish line. Beyond simply addressing the backlog, we are actively building a sustainable program that contributes to the regional economy by creating high-quality, skilled jobs.
Our long-term vision is to cover every remaining mile, expand our suite of services, and build a program so robust that we can serve other recreation and conservation needs and land managers in the region. We’re not just fixing trails; we’re planting the seeds for a sustainable recreation economy.
Great news: the USFS is providing half of the required funding for this crucial pilot through their Title II funding opportunity.
Now, it’s our turn. MFTP is committed to raising the other half through grants, partnerships, and community support. To kick this off, we are launching a fundraising campaign specifically to meet this need! Your investment will directly fund:
- The maintenance and stewardship of North Zone trails and recreation sites.
- General organizational support to continue cultivating sustainable recreation economies across the entire region.
Trails have a profound impact on communities, offering benefits that extend far beyond recreation. They enhance public health, boost local economies, and contribute to environmental conservation. Your donation is an investment in our forest and communities. Consider supporting our work today
North Zone Trail Crew FAQ
My organization or I are interested in making a larger contribution. Who should we contact?
Whether you represent an organization or are an individual looking to make a significant gift, we’d love to connect. Reach out directly at donate@monforesttowns.org to talk about partnership and major donor opportunities.
Will the trail crew continue work past 2027?
Yes, that’s the goal. The 2027 season is a pilot, and if successful, we intend to grow the program into a permanent, annually operating trail crew. Follow our newsletter for updates on the program’s progress and future seasons.
What parts of the forest will this program cover?
In the initial 2027 season, we’ll focus exclusively on the North Zone of the Mon Forest, which includes the Greenbrier and Cheat-Potomac Ranger Districts – near our towns of Parsons, Thomas, Davis, Petersburg, Elkins, Franklin, Seneca Rocks, and Durbin.
What about existing volunteer work and USFS staff?
This program is about filling gaps and complementing ongoing work, not replacing it. Volunteer groups and our dedicated USFS recreation staff remain the backbone of trail stewardship across the Monongahela National Forest. If you’re interested in volunteering, connect with the dozens of local groups in the area, join an MFT Action Group, and follow our social media pages for the latest on volunteer events and trail training days.
What happens if you don’t reach the 2027 funding goal?
If we fall short of our $50,000 goal, MFTP and the USFS will work together to determine the best use of funds raised, whether that’s a scaled-down crew, targeted maintenance on the highest-priority trails, or another approach that puts every dollar to work for the forest.
Will "X" Trail be fixed?
The exact priority order for trail work is being shaped in collaboration with our Forest Service partners. Follow our newsletter and trail reports for the latest information.
When will donor rewards be delivered?
Donor rewards will be sent at the end of the campaign in July. For in-person pickup, we’ll contact you directly with more information. Reach out to info@monforesttowns.org with any questions.
Who will be hired for the trail crew, and how can I apply?
Applications for qualified trail crew staff will be released once program funding is secured. Follow our newsletter and social media pages for the latest updates.
Can I make a recurring monthly donation?
Yes, and it’s one of the best ways to support the program’s long-term success. A recurring gift helps us plan ahead and build a sustainable trail crew program beyond the initial 2027 season. You can set up a monthly donation through our campaign page.