What is the Adopt-a-Trail Program?
The Ozark Trail Association is powered by volunteers like our many trail adopters who form the core of our volunteer program. The Adopt-A-Trail program provides opportunities for hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers, equestrians, and outdoor enthusiasts alike to adopt and maintain a segment of the Ozark Trail. There are 14 sections of the Ozark Trail that span over 400 miles of trail across Missouri. Each section of the Ozark Trail is split up into segments for adoption that typically range from 1.5 miles to 5 miles in length.
What do adopters typically do?
Adopt-A-Trail volunteers are expected to go on at least three outings a year (or more!) to trim back vegetation growing into the trail corridor, remove sticks and debris from the trail surface, and submit regular reports on trail conditions and work accomplished. Other tasks may include trash clean-up and replacing missing trail markers. Additionally, you can work with us to host a volunteer outing or maintenance event on your trail segment. Adopters are not permitted to use chainsaws (unless they hold a current chain sawyer certification card from the U.S. Forest Service) or to construct trail reroutes without official approval from the land manager.
A Mega Good Time
Imagine nearly 200 people hitting the woods on a Saturday to work on the trail. That’s an OTA Mega Event! And as the name says, it’s extra special in a whole lot of ways. Our Mega Events happen twice each year, in the spring and fall. Along with the good feeling that comes from creating a new piece of the Ozark Trail, you get lunch, a delicious evening barbecue, free camping, live bluegrass music, prize raffles, a blazing bonfire, and more.
We’ll ask you for just one thing at your next Mega Event: “Stay safe. Have fun. And build trail!”
Come and Get Dirty With Us
The Ozark Trail Association offers many work events (see events list here) throughout the year. On some outings we work on creating new trail. Some events are focused on maintaining existing trail. If you clear a patch of ground in Missouri and leave it for a few weeks, it quickly becomes overgrown again. And since we live in a state where thunderstorms and high winds are frequent, we organize events that include certified chainsaw operators clearing downed trees and other debris blocking the trail. You can help here by acting as a “swamper” and removing the material cut by the “sawyers.” If you are so inclined, you can become a certified sawyer yourself, qualified to safely operate a chainsaw and help us in this vital job to keep the trails open and accessible.
