Adopt-a-Trail
The GFLTC Adopt-A-Trail Program is under the direction of the GFLTC Council in Heber Springs, Arkansas. The program is designed to offer community volunteer opportunities for protecting and maintaining the trails infrastructure and surrounding natural resources, including flora and fauna. Volunteers can be individuals, families, organizations, clubs, special interest groups, or businesses that work together with GFLTC to keep trails clean, well-groomed and safe for hikers, bikers, and runners. Volunteers may choose to participate in the Adopt-A-Tail program on a regular maintenance plan or through one-time work events planned and organized by the GFLTC.
The GFLTC Adopt-A-Trail Program is designed for all levels of skill and ability. The primary focus is always on safety first and foremost. Therefore, individual volunteers should carefully consider personal physical limitations and only sign up for trail maintenance work that is compatible with their abilities. Each volunteer level comes with specific responsibilities and maintenance guidelines.
Friends of the Trail
This volunteer level is designed for individuals who use the trail on an occasional or regular basis for recreational purposes. Maintenance responsibilities are compatible with good citizenship of picking up litter and tossing small debris (twigs and small branches) off the trail while walking and enjoying nature. There is no sign-up necessary and all trail users are encouraged to carry a trash bag to collect litter and dispose of it in proper trash receptacles along the trail.
No sign-up is necessary for this level of community service and can be done any time throughout the year.
Bronze Level Volunteers
This is an entry-level volunteer opportunity for individuals who want to work independently on their own maintenance schedule. Individual volunteers at this level may work any section of the trail system at any time but they report their volunteer hours and work completed online. A volunteer at the Bronze level may also chose to participate in special trail maintenance events organized by GFLTC to earn volunteer hours.
Responsibilities may include:
- Removing small tree limbs and organic debris that are obstructing the trail
- Operating a personal hand-held or backpack leaf blower
- Inspecting trail features for obstructions and reporting issues
- Monitoring trail surface conditions and reporting problems and safety concerns via an online reporting form
- Submitting volunteer hours and description of work online.
Silver Level Volunteers
This level of volunteer opportunity is ideal for clubs, special-interest groups, and businesses. It is similar to the responsibilities of the Bronze level, but allows a volunteer group to officially “adopt” a specific half-mile section of the trail for monthly, year-round maintenance. At the Silver level, each adopting group must have a designated coordinator who organizes and reports work details and volunteer hours online to the GFLTC.
Responsibilities include all responsibilities of Bronze level plus the following:
- Submitting an adoption request for a specific section of the trail to the GFLTC. (Assignment is made by the GFLTC based on availability and need.)
- Committing to year-round, all-seasons maintenance for a minimum of one year.
- Assigning a group coordinator who organizes monthly maintenance on adopted section of the trail and reports work details, volunteer names, and work hours.
Gold Level Volunteers
This level offers individuals and businesses an opportunity to make donations of money, labor, and/or building materials for the maintenance and improvement of the Greer’s Ferry Trail system. Examples of improvements could include special trail features like:
- Trail benches
- Picnic shelters
- Fitness equipment
- Land
- Wildlife viewing platforms
- Historical markers and signage
- Equipment designed for trail maintenance
If you are interested in making a non-monetary donation, contact us.
If you are interested in making a large monetary donation, please consider sending a check to avoid processing fees, or you can opt to cover the online fees on our donation form (3rd section of the form).
