25
miles
in
three years
f.a.q.
Do
I need to sign up?
Where will we meet?
What do I wear?
What do I bring?
What about safety?
How long will I be out there?
What is the work like?
Will we encounter snakes and scorpions?
What tools will we be using?
May I bring my dog?
How about children?
On what days can I volunteer?
How far in advance must I sign up for an event?
What if it rains?
Where will we meet?
What do I wear?
What do I bring?
What about safety?
How long will I be out there?
What is the work like?
Will we encounter snakes and scorpions?
What tools will we be using?
May I bring my dog?
How about children?
On what days can I volunteer?
How far in advance must I sign up for an event?
What if it rains?
Do
I need to sign up?
While drop-ins are welcome, we need to have sign-ups
for each work event in order to plan the crews and order
enough lunches.
back to top
Where will we meet?
We will meet at pre-determined locations for carpooling
to the work site. Meeting locations will depend on the
section of trail being built. When carpooling, do not leave
items of value in your vehicle.
back to top
What do I wear?
Because we'll be working with hand tools in terrain that
is sometimes rough, work-appropriate clothing is
required for your safety: gloves, long pants and boots.
We also recommend a hat and long-sleeved shirts for
protection from the sun. We'll have some extra gloves,
but not enough for everyone, and not as comfortable as
your own might be.
back to top
What do I bring?
You should bring water and a snack if you think you'll
get hungry before lunch. We'll have some water and will
provide all tools, as well as lunch at the end of the work
session. A small pack to carry water bottles,
sunscreen, wallet and personal items is a good idea.
back to top
What about safety?
Everyone will receive a safety talk before the work
starts, and crew leaders' first responsibility is to
make sure volunteers are not risking injury to
themselves or others. Crew leaders are certified in
First Aid and CPR, and have communications and
contingency plans in case there is an injury or medical emergency. If you have a medical
condition, be sure to let your crew leader know. In addition, we are working with local fire departments to have an EMT on hand at the larger work events.
back to top
How long will I be out there?
We'll work until lunch time, and then you can either go home or -- and this is a change requested by some of our volunteers -- have the option to continue to work a couple more hours. Depending on transportation time, you should be back in Tucson by 1 or 2 p.m. if you leave after lunch.
back to top
What is the work like?
Trail construction varies with the terrain. On flat or gently sloping land the work is primarily clearing a narrow path (about three feet) and pruning or removing vegetation. (Some vegetation will be replanted.) On steeper terrain, it is necessary to cut a "bench," a small road, into the hillside. This is more labor-intensive, and requires the use of picks and pick-mattocks as well as digging bars to remove large rocks. Regardless of the terrain, you will not be asked to do any work you aren't comfortable doing, and your strength, fitness and energy will be considered in work assignments. We want our volunteers to enjoy their trail building experience, and the amount of effort you put into it is up to you. You may find a crew leader recommending that you take a break or get a drink of water.
back to top
Will we encounter snakes and scorpions?
It's possible, but not likely. Snakes, who may be out and about in October, March, April and May, don't like to be around human activity, and will quietly move away to more peaceful surroundings. In our safety talks at the beginning of the work event we'll go into detail about any possible hazards, and how to minimize your risk.
back to top
What tools will we be using?
The most common tools used to build trails are the pick-
mattock — a pick with one end that is flat and around
three inches wide — and the McLeod, a firefighting tool
that is like a wide hoe on one edge and a rake on the other. Rock bars are used to unearth and move rocks,
and pruning tools — nippers, loppers and small saws —
are used for vegetation. Shovels are also used for
revegetation and moving dirt. Wheelbarrows are used to
transport dirt, plants for revegetation and water, which
may be needed to help shape and pack earth berms or
for transplanted vegetation.
back to top
May I bring my dog?
We discourage dogs on trail work events. They need to
be on a leash, and it's not practical to hold a leash while
building trail. In some places it's possible to find a shady
spot to tie a dog, in others it's not. So please leave your
dog at home, and bring it back to romp on the trail
after it's built.
back to top
How about children?
Children who are old enough to help with the work are welcome
to join in. Children must be 12 years of age, and must stay
with a parent or guardian during the event.
back to top
On what days can I volunteer?
You can sign up for any date. We intend to have sponsors for every date, and individual volunteers are welcome at all work events.
back to top
How far in advance should I sign up?
Work events have been reaching the limit of 50 as far head as three weeks,
so if you really want a specific date register well ahead of time.
At the latest you should sign up by Monday of the week before the event
to allow planning and ordering lunches.
back to top
What if it rains?
Unless it's a downpour or lightning is present, work will
go on. If there's a chance of showers, bring raingear. It's also a good idea
to put a towel and spare shoes and socks in the car.
back to top
While drop-ins are welcome, we need to have sign-ups
for each work event in order to plan the crews and order
enough lunches.
back to top
Where will we meet?
We will meet at pre-determined locations for carpooling
to the work site. Meeting locations will depend on the
section of trail being built. When carpooling, do not leave
items of value in your vehicle.
back to top
What do I wear?
Because we'll be working with hand tools in terrain that
is sometimes rough, work-appropriate clothing is
required for your safety: gloves, long pants and boots.
We also recommend a hat and long-sleeved shirts for
protection from the sun. We'll have some extra gloves,
but not enough for everyone, and not as comfortable as
your own might be.
back to top
What do I bring?
You should bring water and a snack if you think you'll
get hungry before lunch. We'll have some water and will
provide all tools, as well as lunch at the end of the work
session. A small pack to carry water bottles,
sunscreen, wallet and personal items is a good idea.
back to top
What about safety?
Everyone will receive a safety talk before the work
starts, and crew leaders' first responsibility is to
make sure volunteers are not risking injury to
themselves or others. Crew leaders are certified in
First Aid and CPR, and have communications and
contingency plans in case there is an injury or medical emergency. If you have a medical
condition, be sure to let your crew leader know. In addition, we are working with local fire departments to have an EMT on hand at the larger work events.
back to top
How long will I be out there?
We'll work until lunch time, and then you can either go home or -- and this is a change requested by some of our volunteers -- have the option to continue to work a couple more hours. Depending on transportation time, you should be back in Tucson by 1 or 2 p.m. if you leave after lunch.
back to top
What is the work like?
Trail construction varies with the terrain. On flat or gently sloping land the work is primarily clearing a narrow path (about three feet) and pruning or removing vegetation. (Some vegetation will be replanted.) On steeper terrain, it is necessary to cut a "bench," a small road, into the hillside. This is more labor-intensive, and requires the use of picks and pick-mattocks as well as digging bars to remove large rocks. Regardless of the terrain, you will not be asked to do any work you aren't comfortable doing, and your strength, fitness and energy will be considered in work assignments. We want our volunteers to enjoy their trail building experience, and the amount of effort you put into it is up to you. You may find a crew leader recommending that you take a break or get a drink of water.
back to top
Will we encounter snakes and scorpions?
It's possible, but not likely. Snakes, who may be out and about in October, March, April and May, don't like to be around human activity, and will quietly move away to more peaceful surroundings. In our safety talks at the beginning of the work event we'll go into detail about any possible hazards, and how to minimize your risk.
back to top
What tools will we be using?
The most common tools used to build trails are the pick-
mattock — a pick with one end that is flat and around
three inches wide — and the McLeod, a firefighting tool
that is like a wide hoe on one edge and a rake on the other. Rock bars are used to unearth and move rocks,
and pruning tools — nippers, loppers and small saws —
are used for vegetation. Shovels are also used for
revegetation and moving dirt. Wheelbarrows are used to
transport dirt, plants for revegetation and water, which
may be needed to help shape and pack earth berms or
for transplanted vegetation.
back to top
May I bring my dog?
We discourage dogs on trail work events. They need to
be on a leash, and it's not practical to hold a leash while
building trail. In some places it's possible to find a shady
spot to tie a dog, in others it's not. So please leave your
dog at home, and bring it back to romp on the trail
after it's built.
back to top
How about children?
Children who are old enough to help with the work are welcome
to join in. Children must be 12 years of age, and must stay
with a parent or guardian during the event.
back to top
On what days can I volunteer?
You can sign up for any date. We intend to have sponsors for every date, and individual volunteers are welcome at all work events.
back to top
How far in advance should I sign up?
Work events have been reaching the limit of 50 as far head as three weeks,
so if you really want a specific date register well ahead of time.
At the latest you should sign up by Monday of the week before the event
to allow planning and ordering lunches.
back to top
What if it rains?
Unless it's a downpour or lightning is present, work will
go on. If there's a chance of showers, bring raingear. It's also a good idea
to put a towel and spare shoes and socks in the car.
back to top
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