Adopt-A-Trail
There is a great deal of satisfaction and pride
in knowing that you and your friends are responsible for a segment
of trail. All that's required is that you go on three outings a
year to trim back limbs and brush, remove small branches and
deadfall, and report major problems to
Robert Smith, the OT Adopt-A-Trail Coordinator.
Additionally, you can work with our volunteer coordinator to hold
work parties if your trail segment needs treadwork, waterbars, foot
bridges or rerouting.
What is the Adopt-A-Trail Program?
The Ozark Trail Association’s Adopt-A-Trail Program is a volunteer program providing
opportunities for hikers, bicyclists, equestrians and lovers of the outdoors to maintain
a portion of the Ozark Trail.
Who can adopt a trail?
School and youth groups, scout troops, church, community and service organizations,
businesses, families, individuals or groups of individuals can adopt a trail.
Anyone with an interest in trails and the outdoors is welcome to help maintain this
beautiful Missouri resource.
What can volunteers do?
Adopt-A-Trail volunteers assist the Ozark Trail Association in maintaining the Ozark
Trail. Activities include keeping the surface free of sticks, rocks and other debris,
pruning small limbs from the trail corridor, cleaning waterbars and drainage ditches,
and in cutting back encroaching vegetation to maintain a trail corridor.
Other responsibilities include litter clean-up, maintaining the trailhead area, replacing
missing trail signage and reporting vandalism and ATV damage.
Will I be trained?
Yes. However, the form of your training will depend upon your experience and the needs of
the section you chose to adopt. It is suggested that you sign up for one of our weekly
maintenance or trail-building outings to learn more about how to maintain your trail.
At that outing, an experienced trail-builder will work with you and insure that you acquire
the skills you need.
What is not included in the duties of an Adopt-A-Trail volunteer?
The most notable task not associated with an AAT volunteer is the use of a chainsaw.
Chainsaws may only be operated by a Forest Service certified sawyer. The AAT volunteer should
only note locations where fallen trees (or damaged trees hanging over the trail) are located.
Report this information to the AAT coordinator, and the site will be listed for a future visit
by qualified sawyers.
You also may not reroute trail. Any changes of this kind must be approved in advance by the
landowner.
What should I do next?
Much of the Ozark Trail has already been adopted. However, a list of the remaining orphans can be viewed by
clicking on the 'Our Orphans' link on the left side of this screen. If you wish to co-adopt a section of trail,
click on the 'Adopted Trail' link. You can identify segments of trail which are available for co-adoption,
either by working with the present volunteer/volunteers or working individually. Once you have decided upon a
section of trail, fill out an Adopt-A-Trail Interest Form, and the OT Adopt-A-Trail Coordinator will contact you to formalize the Volunteer Agreement.
What tools are needed?
Generally, the only tools you will need are loppers (long-handled garden pruners will be
sufficient), a bow saw, and a pair of good gloves. If specialized tools are needed, they can
be obtained from the land steward, which will generally be the U.S. Forest Service. The
Adopt-A-Trail Coordinator will work with you to insure that you have adequate tools.
How often should I conduct maintenance outings?
It is expected that you will conduct maintenance three times each year. It is very important
that one of these outings be done in the late spring to clear the trail of encroaching
vegetation. You will probably want to visit again in early fall to do light maintenance and
then again in mid-winter for your more strenuous work.
Need More Information?
If you would like more information, please contact our Adopt-A-Trail coordinator,
Robert Smith.
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Safety First |
Be careful out there! Don't do trailwork alone, carry a
first aid kit, and adhere to the OTA safety tips. Radios
can be made available on certain sections of the trail-- contact
your land steward. |
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Priority Issues |
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A different kind of adoption:
The adoption process has gone well, and we currently have only 30 miles of orphaned trail.
If the remaining orphans are not to your liking, you might want to consider co-adopting a
segment of trail which has already been adopted. To co-adopt, you need only conduct maintenance once or
twice each year (one of those visits must be done between May 1 and August 30). Segments eligible for
co-adoption are highlighted in red.
For more information about the co-adoption process, or for help in deciding which segment is right for you,
contact Robert Smith at otadopt12@gmail.com.
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