Adoption Levels
In order to get started all you need is a favorite trail and a desire to adopt that trail. There are various levels of participation that have been designed so that anyone and everyone can help the trail they love most. You can read more about the levels at the following link. In addition to the levels of trail adoption there is also a great variety of needs depending on the trail you might choose. Some trails desperately need trail work while others are more in need of cleaning trash or minimizing human impacts. You not only decide the trail you want to adopt but also get to determine what sort of work you’d like to do along the trail. As long as the work benefits the trail, it’s all good!
Check out the following levels of adoption for more specifics and if you are interested in signing up or hearing more, contact us and we’ll get back to you as quick as we can.
Choose Your Adoption Level
Level 1 - Trail Patrol
The First Level is called Trail Patrol and is open to anyone interested in hiking/riding their favorite trail and reporting back what they find. Trail Patrol can also include light trail maintenance and camp/trail cleanup. With Trail Patrol, you’re committing to hike/ride your trail twice during your yearlong obligation. Trail Patrol requires that you take a 2-‐hour class on the AAT documentation standards and FS protocol. Feel free to schedule your trail visits around your schedule just as long as they are done twice per year.
Both Trail Patrol and VWR adopters will be recognized on www.AdoptATrailLP.com, receive AAT t-shirts, an invitation to the annual AAT BBQ celebration and when possible have adoption plaques at the nearest trail-head to your adopted trail section.
| COMMITMENT | INVOLVEMENT | OBLIGATION | RECOGNITION | TRAINING | COST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Year | Individual or Small Team | AAT Training | None |
Level 2 - Volunteer Wilderness Ranger
The Second Level is called Volunteer Wilderness Ranger (VWR) and involves not only scouting your trail but also organizing at least one trail maintenance project along your section of trail. You’ll need to take the daylong Volunteer Wilderness Ranger Training class that will teach you Forest Service protocol, trail maintenance techniques, visitor contact and AAT documentation. VWR Adoption projects can be day projects or larger scale overnight projects depending on the location of your trail and what you hope to accomplish.
Both Trail Patrol and VWR adopters will be recognized on www.AdoptATrailLP.com, receive AAT t-shirts, an invitation to the annual AAT BBQ celebration and when possible have adoption plaques at the nearest trail-head to your adopted trail section.
| COMMITMENT | INVOLVEMENT | OBLIGATION | RECOGNITION | TRAINING | COST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Year | Individual or Small Team | VWR Leader Training | NONE |
Level 3 - Trail Support
The Third Level is called Trail Support and you can think of it like Habitat for Humanity but instead of building homes, you’re maintaining trails. In Trail Support you pick a favorite trail to adopt and AAT will match you with a VWR Leader who can help you work on your trail. The VWR Leader will take care of all the logistics, Forest Service paperwork, insurance requirements and will organize the trail project for your group of volunteers. Your organization provides the volunteers along with a small financial donation and AAT will supply a VWR Leader for your project. Trail Support is great for companies or organizations that want to give back to the forest but don’t necessarily have the time to become VWR Leaders. Trail Support projects can be great team-‐building activities where groups of co-‐workers or friends can spend a day or two working together to clear trails. Trail Support members are recognized with an AAT plaque you can hang in your office as well as t-‐shirts and a where available a plaque recognizing your contribution at the trailhead. The donation amount required for Trail Support is determined based on the needs of your trail project. Trail projects can be designed as a daytrip or involve an overnighter. Either way your group will have a great time while giving back to the forest.
The Third and Fourth adoption levels are designed for people or organizations who have a favorite trail but might not be able to get out there and do the work themselves.
| COMMITMENT | INVOLVEMENT | OBLIGATION | RECOGNITION | TRAINING | COST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Year | Individual, Corporate or Organizational Team | None | $$ Cost per day TBD |
Level 4 - Trail Sponsor
The Fourth Level of adoption is called Trail Sponsor. Trail Sponsor level adopters donate money to the AAT program so that their favorite trail can be maintained. AAT will pair the Trail Sponsor with the best Trail Organization to accomplish the needed work on their trail. That organization will organize and execute the maintenance of that trail and provide updates and information to the Trail Sponsor. The donation is tax-‐deductible and the Trail Sponsor will be recognized with plaques for both their home/business as well as at the trailhead.
The Third and Fourth adoption levels are designed for people or organizations who have a favorite trail but might not be able to get out there and do the work themselves.
| COMMITMENT | INVOLVEMENT | OBLIGATION | RECOGNITION | TRAINING | COST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | None | None | $$$$ Cost per day TBD |
As you see, anyone and everyone can adopt their favorite trail in the Los Padres and contribute to the upkeep and maintenance of that trail.
For more information, to sign up or if you have any questions, feel free to let us know at INFO@AdoptATrailLP.com