MATC Appalachian Trail Outreach Steward

The purpose of the Maine Appalachian Trail Club (MATC) is to build, maintain and protect a section of the Appalachian Trail in Maine, extending from Katahdin to Grafton Notch, at Maine Highway 26. This includes a system of shelters and campsites at proper intervals, to render accessible for hiking the wild region of Maine through which the Trail passes. Hundreds of community members donate roughly 15,000-hours annually; they adopt sections and remove downed and hazard trees, maintain waterbars, paint blazes, build bog bridges, repair shelters, cleanout firepits, remove trash, build and maintain backcountry toilets, monitor corridor lands, publish a newsletter, maintain a website and database, design trail projects, and more. MATC’s professional Trail Crew mitigates sedimentation and erosion by reconstructing degraded trail sections with stone stairs, step-stones, waterbars, and drainage ditches. Three seasonally employed Ridgerunners teach approximately 8,000 hikers/year low impact backpacking skills, how to protect native biodiversity and habitat, and to prevent forest fires. The MATC will host an AmeriCorps member, “The Appalachian Trail Outreach Steward”, focused on increasing health through trail work and recreational experiences on the Maine section of the Appalachian Trail. Outdoor experiences in Maine’s wilderness improves the public’s physical and mental health through exercise, and immersion in nature reduces stress, isolation and creates a sense of wellbeing. Our A.T. Outreach Stewards provide outreach, education and logistical support to high school, college and other groups including underserved communities.

The AmeriCorps member will focus on Statewide efforts on the Appalachian Trail and collaborate with multiple partners to strengthen, develop, and expand outreach strategies. They will recruit new groups and support existing groups in completing trail and stewardship work. The trail work will naturally include healthful recreation – hiking, backpacking, and camping on the rugged Appalachian Trail. Each trip will average about two full days of hiking, camping, and trail work, as well as pre and post trip planning, training, and evaluation. MATC will work in collaboration with other organizations doing this work (high schools, the AT Conservancy, Teens to Trails, and the Wabanaki Youth and Science), increasing learning, sharing, reach, efficacy, and efficiency. The member will focus on expanding participation and will connect participants with MATC’s network of skilled staff, field volunteers and committees, including Trail Maintainers, Corridor Monitors, Campsite, Boundary workers.

Already have a MyAmeriCorps account and want to apply for this specific role? You can find that listing on MyAmeriCorps here.