Spruce Mountain in Jay to see a Week of Conservation Corp Trail Training
April 9, 2012
SPRUCE MOUNTAIN IN JAY TO SEE SECOND WEEK OF TWO WEEK TRAIL TRAINING
Two week training program brings new riverfront hiking trail and prepares statewide Conservation Corps team leaders
Jay – The Maine Conservation Corps (MCC) and trail building consulting firm Off the Beaten Path, led by Jed Talbot of Turner, are beginning their second week of training and service work at the Spruce Mountain Conservation Area of the Androscoggin Land Trust (ALT). Located in Jay, along the Androscoggin River opposite the Otis Mill complex, the area includes 126 acres of land managed by ALT that is also adjacent to the Spruce Mountain Ski Area owned by the communities of Jay, Livermore and Livermore Falls.
“This project, a combination of training and service work, has provided an excellent opportunity for our Trail Trainers,” says Bryan Kalleberg, Program Coordinator for the Maine Conservation Corps.
The Trail Training program is a ten week program in which MCC offers the best training and preparation for future Team Leaders as they prepare for the upcoming work season, in which they have a 12 week summer session and a 12 week fall session. During this two week session at Spruce Mountain, both the “hard” and “soft” skills necessary to lead a trail crew are provided as the leaders prepare to lead 4-6 member teams on projects that literally take them throughout the State of Maine.
This partnership with ALT, with specialized training provided by Jed Talbot of Off the Beaten Path, has provided the perfect opportunity for training and service work, and in return ALT will have received professional trail work on a new trail segment along the river.
“We are excited that MCC chose to work with ALT along the Androscoggin River in Jay for this project,” says Jonathan LaBonte, director of ALT. “There is so much potential for opening up new hiking trail corridors to complement the miles of multi-use trails in the Jay/Livermore Falls region, and this partnership continues that effort.”
The Androscoggin Land Trust protects important natural areas, traditional landscapes, and outdoor experiences within the Androscoggin River watershed by promoting stewardship and supporting a network of public and privately held conservation land. We currently conserve nearly 4,850 acres of land, including over ten miles of riverfront along the Androscoggin River.
The mission and objective of the MCC program is to offer members an opportunity to experience a different way of living, learning and serving. Serving with the MCC also enhances their personal development and ability to serve their community by accomplishing significant conservation and environmental service projects which will protect and restore natural resources and public lands
ATTACHED PHOTO: From left to right: Tyler Fogg, Trail Trainer; Jedediah Talbot, Off the Beaten Path, Trail Work and Trail Training; Trail Trainers Jennifer Wachtl, Joshua Moore, Tyler Keniston and Augusta Reilly; and Trail Training Instructor Alice Webber.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE ON SITE THIS WEEK: CALL Bryan Kalleberg at 207-215-3696