Join us for a panel of presenters discussing establishing trails! We will have presenters speak on funding sources, wetlands permitting, and creating new trails on the lands of multiple landowners. Q&A session with our presenters and networking with fellow conservation partners to follow.
Presenters:
Dick O’Brien of Conservation Works and Leominster Trail Stewards will discuss funding opportunities available for potential trail projects. Dick serves as Chair of the Massachusetts Recreational Trail Advisory Board. He has worked as the Regional Director for The Trustees of Reservations, and as the Director of the Buck Hill Conservation Education Center. He has extensive experience as a conservation land manager with a broad range of hands-on skills and knowledge in the design and construction of sustainable and ADA accessible trails, development and implementation of land management plans, and visitor impact assessment and management.
Michele Girard, Associate Director and Education Coordinator at Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC), will discuss wetlands permitting for trails. Michele has been with the MACC for over 10 years. At MACC she supports the Executive Director with the Board’s general business and special projects, helps develop training programs and workshops, and organizes educational programs and conferences. Prior to joining the MACC staff, Michèle served as a conservation commissioner in her town and worked as the Assistant Conservation Administrator for the Town of Boxford. She also served a three-year term as a MACC Director.
Paul Funch, Chair and charter member of Groton Trails Committee, will discuss creating new trails on the lands of multiple landowners. He has worked to establish trails crossing lands owned by DCR, Groton Conservation Trust, Groton Conservation Commission, New England Forestry Foundation, Regional School District, etc. and has extensive experience establishing trails in Groton. Paul is also current Vice Chair of the Montachusetts Regional Trails Coalition and Advisor to Groton Conservation Trust’s Stewardship Committee. Paul organized and directed Groton Town Forest trail races for 15 years to fund Groton Trails Committee work and also obtained an MA Recreational Trails Grant to construct the John Tinker Trail, an accessible trail in DCR’s J. Harry Rich State Forest in Groton.
Refreshments will be served, please let us know you’re attending by registering. 30 spaces available.
Bookings
This event is fully booked.