Have You Thanked Your Local Trail Crew Lately?
A Season of Hard Work
From May through October, the Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) seasonal trail crew spends long days maintaining 60+ miles of trail and caring for over 27,000 acres of conserved land. They clear blowdowns, mow fields, reroute paths, and build bridges and bog walks—the essential work that makes hiking in the Berkshires possible. It’s hot, muddy, buggy, and physically demanding. But for BNRC’s seasonal trail crew, it’s also rewarding, full of humor, challenge, and growth.
Hayley Clapp
Hayley, a returning member of the trail crew, from Wallingford, CT, grew up hiking and birding with her dad. A graduate of Paul Smith’s College in Ecological Restoration, she has worked with lands trusts including Blue Hill Heritage Trust and Paul Smith’s College VIC. This summer at BNRC, she was proud of the complex bridge work at Three Mile Hill in Great Barrington:
“I really enjoyed the complexity and seeing the final product come together over time. We worked as a team to get them all done.”
Of course, not every day was so smooth.
“A funny and memorable moment from this season occurred when we were mowing at the Housatonic Flats reserve [located in Great Barrington] and the mower broke halfway through! We had to drag the mower a decent way back to the trailhead in 90-degree heat while mosquitoes ate us alive! It was a Monday, of course! But that has always been something we look back on and laugh about!”
Her takeaway?
“My time at BNRC has been so fun, and I’ve learned so much about not only trail work but working together as a crew and the outdoors in general. I’ve realized that there’s endless things to learn just by continuing your experiences.”
Off the trail, Hayley raises monarch butterflies, takes nature photos, and explores New England antique shops. She hopes to one day open a native plant nursery.
Lauren Nash
Lauren grew up in western Massachusetts, often camping with her family. A recent UMass Amherst graduate with a degree in Natural Resource Conservation, she’s worked with the Trustees of Reservations, the Robert E. Barrett Fishway, and a woman-owned farm managing 50 acres. At BNRC, she dove into trail construction for the recently opened Tom Ball Mountain Reserve in Great Barrington/Alford.
“I really enjoyed learning how to properly integrate slope and water drainage on a newly constructed trail. The opening of Tom Ball Mountain involved various trail creation practices involving the grading of the path, installing underground piping, and building bog bridges along wet areas.”
She also picked up unexpected skills:
“The crew was fixing a broken railing on a bridge, and since I didn’t have a task at that moment, my supervisor gave me a lesson on the proper technique of how to swing an axe. Not far from the bridge we were working on was a fallen tree over the trail, about 6 inches in diameter. I found this incredibly rewarding and an important skill I can take with me in the future.”
For Lauren, the season was about growth:
“BNRC gives you plenty of resources to learn new things. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to expand on various aspects of natural resource conservation and trail creation.”
Robin Guanci
Robin, who grew up in eastern Massachusetts with a lifelong love of nature, joined BNRC for his first job after graduating with a degree in Natural Resources Conservation. He jumped right into the final push at opening Tom Ball Mountain.
“Earlier in the season, I helped with the last push to finish the trails on Tom Ball Mountain Reserve. While it was a challenge due to the uphill and rocky terrain, it was satisfying to complete it knowing it was a project that BNRC had been working on for so many years.”
The crew’s summer also included wild moments.
Robin recalled hearing plenty about one unforgettable hike down Tom Ball:
“While making their way from the mountain one afternoon, Lauren, Juliana, Jon, and Tyler (Assistant Director of Stewardship) had a close encounter with a mama bear and her cubs! They gave them a wide berth, made some noise, and were able to safely navigate down the rest of the trail. A unique experience for sure!”
Robin says the season left a big impression:
“Being my first job out of college, I’m glad I landed at BNRC. Everyone is so friendly and has a lot of experience that they are excited to share. Happy to say I’ve been able to work with them this season!”
In their free time, Robin enjoys hiking, birding, and “herping” [the activity of searching for wild amphibians and reptiles, or "herps"] in the Connecticut River Valley.
Juliana Hektor
Juliana grew up in Berkshire County and has loved the outdoors from a young age. She graduated with a degree in environmental science from Berkshire Community College and a bachelor’s in geography with a concentration in environmental sustainability and climate resilience from Bridgewater State University (BSU). Juliana interned with the Natural Resources Trust in Bridgewater, maintained the BSU permaculture garden, and previously worked with Greenagers. She works in land conservation so that the natural beauty of our planet can be enjoyed for generations to come.
Juliana jumped into the season with both feet as the trails team was working towards the finish line of opening Tom Ball. Her previous work experience with the Greenagers served her well as she and the crew performed long distance lumber carries and operated power tools to construct the bridges at Three Mile Hill.
From the Trail Crew Leader
Trail Crew Leader Jonathan Lueken summed up the season:
“The 2025 trail season has included opening a new reserve and important maintenance improvements across BNRC’s trail network. I have the privilege of leading and working with an outstanding trail crew that has shown incredible dedication to every project and task they have undertaken. It has been a pleasure to observe the acquisition and growth of individual skills and trail expertise in our crew this year and it makes me proud!”
He highlighted two standout projects:
“My favorite project was building a causeway and stone staircases through a boulder field at BNRC’s new Tom Ball Mountain Reserve. The project that I learned the most from was working with the crew and BNRC’s Property Manager (Josh Hopmans) to improve and replace the bridges at Threemile Hill in Great Barrington.”
Why It Matters
Building and maintaining trails is hard, hot, muddy work—often invisible to those using the trails. But every bridge, bog crossing, and scenic overlook exists because of the crews’ dedication.
When you step onto a BNRC trail in the Berkshires, you’re stepping into the hard work, long days, and team spirit of BNRC’s trail crew. They make it possible for thousands of people to connect with the Berkshires’ landscapes every year, in every season.
So next time you’re out on the trail—pause and thank the people who make it possible: our local trail crews!
