Federal cuts threaten AmeriCorps program

For more than 10 years, the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference's stewards have built and maintained trails, removed invasive species and prevented an untold number of hikers from hurting themselves.

"We've plotted it out on a graph, and during the times when the trail stewards are on duty, the need for EMS [emergency medical services] is almost completely eliminated," said Hank Osborn, a Philipstown native who is director of programs for NYNJTC.

This is most noticeable at Breakneck Ridge, he said. Before the Trail Conference assigned stewards to the trailhead, local first responders assisted with two or three rescues every weekend.

That may change this season because of cuts to AmeriCorps by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, although a federal court on Thursday (June 5) issued a preliminary injunction to prevent them. The initiative typically provides stipends for living expenses for about 50 volunteers to assist the Trail Conference each spring. Essentially a domestic version of the Peace Corps, the 30-year-old program also offers educational funding for volunteers, such as financial aid for college and the repayment of student loans.

This year, the Trump administration cut funding right before the stewards were scheduled to begin, Osborn said. Volunteers around the country were told to pack up and go back home. State grants have allowed NYNJTC to retain about half of its original crew, and the Trail Conference has launched a fundraising campaign to keep the rest. A matching grant of up to $50,000 is in place through Saturday (June 7), which is National Trails Day.

The money raised so far will provide stipends for stewards at Breakneck every weekend through mid-October, Osborn said. The lower section is closed because of construction of the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail's Breakneck Connector, scheduled to open in 2027. But the upper sections are open, and stewards will be stationed at the flagpole after the first ascent and at key intersections of the Ninham, Wilkinson and Undercliff trails.

"They'll continue to greet visitors, teach Leave No Trace principles and help people figure out the best routes to take so that they don't accidentally stumble into the construction zone," he said.

At the Breakneck trailhead, the stewards made sure visitors knew what they were getting themselves into - a rocky, steep ascent. If they arrived ill-prepared, such as by wearing flip-flops or not having water, stewards directed them to a more appropriate hike. "They keep people who shouldn't be going up Breakneck from ever getting hurt or lost," Osborn said.

Usually, Breakneck stewards spend their weekdays on trail maintenance. But with fewer stewards, the crew instead will help with rebuilding trails at Harriman State Park damaged in the July 2023 storms.

Despite the partial closure at Breakneck, Osborn expects a busy season. "With all of these changes at the federal level, it appears that the need for nature and to get out into the woods for people is more important than ever before," he said.

To donate to the National Trails Challenge, see dub.sh/trails-challenge. For information on volunteering, see nynjtc.org/trail-crews.