5 Ways to Grow Your Volunteer Trail Work Parties
Rumor has it that people are volunteering less now than 2-3 years ago. What's going on? How do trail building/stewardship organizations that depend on volunteers woo people to spend a Saturday off their bikes and with a shovel or rake in hand instead?
First, this isn't a blanket statement impacting all organizations equally. Yes, some seem to be losing momentum, and at the same time, others are gaining steam. This is based on anecdotal evidence from conversations with organizations that rely on volunteers for trail work.
When COVID-19 hit, it was a show-stopper for many things in life (obviously, that depended significantly on where one lived). Health protocols varied greatly from country to country, and in a place like the U.S., not only was COVID-19 politically polarizing, but state governments handled protocols differently. For example, Oregon was a lot more restrictive than Texas.
The common thread was a significant disruption in trail building regarding mobilizing volunteers for work parties. Some groups went months (or longer) without the ability to do any trail work. At the same time, whole trail systems were shut down due to localized responses to COVID-19. Not only were people not volunteering for trail work, but the ability to get out and simply ride was also curtailed in many places. Regardless of how one felt about these scenarios, this was the "new reality" at hand.
As restrictions began lifting and things opened up, there was an outpouring of volunteers. People had been cooped up too long and were ready to get out, hang out with others, move dirt, and do good.
There was a novelty to doing stuff like this. It had felt like forever. The global supply chain disruption also played a role, as buying new bikes or certain bike parts was challenging. But picking up a McLeod or a shovel? No problem.
One more factor at hand (I'm sure there are many more) was that due to neglect, trails were in desperate need of some serious work. Erosion, overgrowth, and falling debris meant some trails were unrideable since they hadn't been maintained. As restrictions began lifting, there was A LOT of work to be done.
And then, people could get outdoors again. We went from having difficulty buying bikes to such a glut that most brands offered steep discounts to move merchandise. We all started settling back into somewhat of a regular pre-COVID routine.
Large trail work parties started shrinking. I heard from a group of women-specific riders and builders that they've seen a decline in their volunteer groups over the past two years.
So, how do we encourage and mobilize more volunteers to work on trails?
This is where YOU play a part in this. How? A while back, we posted this question on social media, "What's been your most effective way to recruit, mobilize, and inspire volunteer trail builders?" Here's what some of you share ... let's jump into this ...
#1 - Recruit local businesses to sponsor lunch and beer afterward
This is a great way to celebrate and reward volunteers! While having goodies is not the primary reason people volunteer, it is still fun to show up and get a free lunch, free coffee, free beers, or other swag that local businesses and bike brands have donated. People walking away with a bottle of Stans NoTubes tire sealant or bike gloves is a great way to thank volunteers. They feel encouraged and appreciated for their work. Giving up a precious day on the weekend is no small feat.
#2 - Promote group rides
One respondent shared about the importance of group rides, "It lets you talk about the trails that require maintenance as you ride them. I found this works most effectively with smaller groups of people." Not only do group rides help people learn about the trails they are riding (and see potential maintenance issues), but even more so, it's a great way to build and foster community. One of the best parts of volunteering is the people we spend time with. The more people feel welcomed, included, and part of something, the more sense of ownership they'll feel.
#3 - Host volunteer trail work campout weekends
This goes hand-in-hand with the last point. Trail work campouts are fun and help build community. It's a way to celebrate and reward volunteers. Often, this is a great time to continue giving away free swag and providing meals for volunteers. Also, who doesn't love a great campout? Depending on the project and the land manager, groups sometimes get special privileges to camp in areas few others get to because of trail work. Campout weekends are also great for combining a trail work party with group rides.
#4 - Use social media to effectively communicate that trail building is for all
In my research project interviewing women trail builders, one of the themes that continued to surface was the power of social media to encourage or dissuade potential volunteers. How you advertise and promote work parties matters more than you realize. Are you communicating that it is open to everyone? Would someone without any trail work experience (who may already be intimidated) feel welcome to come out? Is this an all-dude show? Do women feel invited and welcome? Having a social media plan is a great way to be intentional about growing your volunteer base.
#5 - Value people's time
One of the responses we heard on social media focused on effectively utilizing time with volunteers: "The best has been ensuring those that come out feel their time was spent wisely. Coordinating trail days for us takes a lot of planning before we even get close to lifting any tools." Here are some of the complaints we've heard from people: "There's too much standing around," "We were in the parking lot an hour before we headed out on the trail," or "There wasn't a clear plan for work to be done." Volunteers won't be willing to keep coming back if they don't feel like their time wasn't used effectively. Have a plan, communicate the plan, and then work the plan.
BONUS
Ok, one last tip! A bonus! Sometimes, you need to get sneaky. Cedar from Oregon Territory Outfitters shared, "Trap door under the bar stools. Gets 'em every time!" 🍻
If we collectively put our minds together, we could easily come up with 45 more ways to encourage and recruit more volunteers. For those working with volunteers, thank you for your leadership. You are essential to the growth of trail building, which also means the growth of mountain biking.
Use the discount code TBM#3 for 15% of two or more BST tools at Tools for Trails.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sean Benesh
Sean is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Trail Builder Mag. He is also the Communications Director for the Northwest Trail Alliance in Portland, Oregon. While in grad school, he worked as a mountain biking guide in Southern Arizona. Sean also spends time in the classroom as a digital media instructor at Warner Pacific University.
