2019 conference archive | Workshops: HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCES
Every MassTrails Conference endeavors to provide hands-on workshops to help you build your trails skills, knowledge, and confidence. We have an exciting line up this year that you won't want to miss out on.
Registration for Workshops is additional to your conference registration as have associated fees and limited capacities.
Registration for Workshops is additional to your conference registration as have associated fees and limited capacities.
Re-Opening an Abandoned Trail
Thursday, October 31, 2019 | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Full Day)
DESCRIPTION: Join the local Leominster Trail Stewards in re-routing a critical trail connection in a local woodland setting. As a member of the work crew, participants will examine the reasons why one would re-route a trail, the need to create the new trail and close off the old trail, the process of making the new trail more sustainable, more accessible, and more enjoyable. Tasks will include pin flagging the new route, cutting and clearing the trail corridor, constructing the trail tread, blazing the new trail, and talking about signage needs and user amenities. This hands-on, full-day workshop will be hosted by experienced local trail volunteers and professional trail contractor, Dick O’Brien of Conservation Works. Participants should dress appropriately for weather with long pants, work boots and heavy duty work gloves. Please bring your own lunch, water, and snacks and be ready to learn a lot and have some fun in the woods.
INSTRUCTORS:
DICK O'BRIEN - Partner, Conservation Works
THE LEOMINSTER TRAIL STEWARDS - An all- volunteer group providing stewardship and care to Leominster's trail network
LOCATION: Meet at: Barrett Park, 40 Barrett Parkway, Leominster, MA 01453
LOGISTICS: Meet at location. Be prepared to work outdoors in the woods, bring rain gear if appropriate for the day's weather. Participants should also bring their own lunch, water, and snacks.
COST: $10
CAPACITY: 25
INSTRUCTORS:
DICK O'BRIEN - Partner, Conservation Works
THE LEOMINSTER TRAIL STEWARDS - An all- volunteer group providing stewardship and care to Leominster's trail network
LOCATION: Meet at: Barrett Park, 40 Barrett Parkway, Leominster, MA 01453
LOGISTICS: Meet at location. Be prepared to work outdoors in the woods, bring rain gear if appropriate for the day's weather. Participants should also bring their own lunch, water, and snacks.
COST: $10
CAPACITY: 25
Stone Splitting and Setting Scenarios on Rock Walk Trail
Thursday, October 31, 2019 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (half day, morning)
DESCRIPTION: Take part in a hands-on workshop on splitting and moving stone for trail purposes and view the final product – stunning stone work in the woods. This workshop will take place on the Rock Walk Trail at Rollstone Hill Quarry in Fitchburg, hosted by the Student Conservation Association. This workshop can be labor intensive and will require participants to wear proper clothing (i.e. long pants, work boots, work shirt, work gloves).
INSTRUCTORS:
DAVE CIERNIA - Conservation Service Coordinator, Student Conservation Association
ERIN DUMONTELLE, RAYLA PUTNAM, SAM SPENCE – SCA Alumni
STUDENT CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION, MASSACHUSETTS AMERICORPS
LOCATION: 9am - Meet at: Memorial Middle School Parking Lot, 615 Rollstone St, Fitchburg, MA 01420
LOGISTICS: Meet at Memorial Middle School, travel from there to work site. Remember to bring your own water and snacks.
GEAR: Participants must bring their own work gloves, work pants, and work boots. Hardhats, eye protection and ear protection will be provided, though participants are welcome to bring their own.
COST: $10
CAPACITY: 12
INSTRUCTORS:
DAVE CIERNIA - Conservation Service Coordinator, Student Conservation Association
ERIN DUMONTELLE, RAYLA PUTNAM, SAM SPENCE – SCA Alumni
STUDENT CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION, MASSACHUSETTS AMERICORPS
LOCATION: 9am - Meet at: Memorial Middle School Parking Lot, 615 Rollstone St, Fitchburg, MA 01420
LOGISTICS: Meet at Memorial Middle School, travel from there to work site. Remember to bring your own water and snacks.
GEAR: Participants must bring their own work gloves, work pants, and work boots. Hardhats, eye protection and ear protection will be provided, though participants are welcome to bring their own.
COST: $10
CAPACITY: 12
Wetlands for Beginners
Thursday, October 31, 2019 | 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Half Day, Afternoon)
DESCRIPTION: Learn general techniques for identifying wetlands in Massachusetts from finding available online resources, who to call for assistance, and what to watch for in the field, We will review typical permit triggers, the various permit pathways, and some design techniques and strategies that can assist with reducing impacts. Attendants are encouraged to share their wetland project experiences and lessons learned. Together we will develop best management practices and minimization/mitigation techniques to assist others through the wetland permitting journey. This will be a hands on workshop with a classroom and field component! Come ready to get dirty and to share your project experiences.
INSTRUCTOR:
ALE ECHANDI - Ecological Scientist with BSC Group, Inc.
LOCATION: Meet at: Barrett Park, 40 Barrett Parkway, Leominster, MA 01453
LOGISTICS: Meet at location and bring your own water and snacks
COST: $10
CAPACITY: 25
INSTRUCTOR:
ALE ECHANDI - Ecological Scientist with BSC Group, Inc.
LOCATION: Meet at: Barrett Park, 40 Barrett Parkway, Leominster, MA 01453
LOGISTICS: Meet at location and bring your own water and snacks
COST: $10
CAPACITY: 25
Safer Chain Saw Operation for Trail Stewards - Day 1 of 2
Thursday, October 31, 2019 | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm (full day, 2 day session)
DESCRIPTION: Come away with a greater appreciation for what it takes to safely and effectively use chainsaws as tools for trail clearing and maintenance. Workshop participants will get a solid foundation in the basics of chain saw operations, and the dynamics of trees. Focus will be on preplanning, ergonomics, and body positioning. This workshop is designed for both the experienced sawyers as well as for people who have never used a saw.
INSTRUCTOR:
WALKER KORBY - Owner, Terramor, LLC and Certified Treecare Safety Professional
LOCATION: Meet at: Doyle Community Park and Center, 464 Abbott Ave, Leominster MA 01453
LOGISTICS: Meet at location and bring lunch, water and snacks
COST: $50 (note: this is a two day session; fee covers both days)
CAPACITY: 14
INSTRUCTOR:
WALKER KORBY - Owner, Terramor, LLC and Certified Treecare Safety Professional
LOCATION: Meet at: Doyle Community Park and Center, 464 Abbott Ave, Leominster MA 01453
LOGISTICS: Meet at location and bring lunch, water and snacks
COST: $50 (note: this is a two day session; fee covers both days)
CAPACITY: 14
Pine Hill Trail - Rock Work Crew
friday, november 1, 2019 | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm (full day)
DESCRIPTION: Join the volunteer reconstruction crew rebuilding new treadway, rock steps, edge rocks, and drainage features at Wachusett Mountain State Reservation's Pine Hill Trail. This hands-on, full-day workshop is a great way to literally roll your sleeves up and learn about rock work on trails. You'll learn how to use rock work tools such as the Griphoist Highline wire system, and hammer drill that make moving large stone easier while reducing ground disturbance in the process. Tools, hard hats, and all the equipment necessary will be provided. Participants should dress appropriately for weather with long pants, work boots and heavy duty work gloves a must. Bring your own lunch, water, and snacks. You're going to work up an appetite!
INSTRUCTOR:
STEVE CROWE - Trail Work Leader and Volunteer Project Coordinator for the Pine Hill Trail Restoration Project
LOCATION: Meet at: Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, Visitor Center, 345 Mountain Road, Princeton, MA 01541
LOGISTICS: Meet at location and bring your own lunch, water, and snacks
COST: $10
CAPACITY: 10
INSTRUCTOR:
STEVE CROWE - Trail Work Leader and Volunteer Project Coordinator for the Pine Hill Trail Restoration Project
LOCATION: Meet at: Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, Visitor Center, 345 Mountain Road, Princeton, MA 01541
LOGISTICS: Meet at location and bring your own lunch, water, and snacks
COST: $10
CAPACITY: 10
Safer Chain Saw Operation for Trail Stewards - Day 2 of 2
friday, november 1, 2019 | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm (full day, 2 day session)
DESCRIPTION: Day 2 is a continuation of chain saw safety and preparedness. By the workshop's end, you'll walk away with an increased confidence in tree felling as well as techniques to help keep you and all those in the immediate surroundings safe throughout the process.
INSTRUCTOR:
WALKER KORBY - Owner, Terramor, LLC and Certified Treecare Safety Professional
LOCATION: Meet at: Doyle Community Park and Center, 464 Abbott Ave, Leominster MA 01453
LOGISTICS: Meet at location and bring lunch, water and snacks
COST: $50 (note: this is a two day session; fee covers both days)
CAPACITY: 14
INSTRUCTOR:
WALKER KORBY - Owner, Terramor, LLC and Certified Treecare Safety Professional
LOCATION: Meet at: Doyle Community Park and Center, 464 Abbott Ave, Leominster MA 01453
LOGISTICS: Meet at location and bring lunch, water and snacks
COST: $50 (note: this is a two day session; fee covers both days)
CAPACITY: 14