The Long Trail System saw severe impacts from three different 1% chance flooding events between 2023 and 2024. This session will cover successes and lessons learned in the immediate and long-term recovery of trails including: weighing priorities, response protocols, data gathering, securing disaster recovery funding, and the on-going process of repair and recovery.
Learning Objectives:
Learn and understand the steps taken to engage with various disaster recovery sources
Recognize the importance (or lack of) in recovery for outdoor recreation resources
Identify different pathways for recovery of assets
Presenters:
Keegan Tierney, Field Director, Green Mountain Club
Keegan is responsible for the long-term stewardship and sustainable management of the Long Trail, the Appalachian Trail in Vermont, and all associated side trails. He works with a full-time staff of 5, seasonal staff of 40, and over 750 volunteers annually to coordinate projects from basic annual maintenance to long-term capital investments. With two decades of professional experience in Vermont trails he has built collaborative partnerships across local, state, and federal land management agencies, private landowners, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations. He is inspired by community, public access to the land, and coffee.
Jim Duncan, State Land Program Manager, Vermont Department of Forest, Parks, and Recreation & Winooski Valley Park District Staff