Hike Our Trails Volunteer Series: Pond Trail
Hike. Restore. Repeat.
Spring is here, and that means it’s time for our 3rd Annual Hike Our Trails volunteer series. Over the past two years, this program has helped care for trails, improve preserves, and connect more people to the woods, fields, and hidden corners that make The Wilderness Center so special. This year, we’re building on that momentum with even more chances to explore, learn, and make a real impact together.
From the soft green-up of the forest floor to the first blooms tucked along the trail, spring is one of the best times to get outside and notice how much is happening in the woods. The Wilderness Center headquarters in Wilmot has miles of beautiful trails to explore, but there is even more to discover beyond headquarters. From members-only Doughty Gorge to the rugged trails of Zoar Woods, each week is a chance to step into a different landscape and experience spring as it unfolds across our preserves with our Forestry & Restoration Coordinator, Zac.
Each Friday, we’ll hike a trail and help care for it by removing invasive plants and tackling light stewardship work along the way. But this series is about more than trail work. This spring, we’ll also take a closer look at spring ephemeral wildflowers – the brief, beautiful flowers that appear before the forest canopy fully leafs out. Along the way, we’ll learn how to notice the features that help identify wildflowers, get familiar with the botanical parts of a flower with field microscopes, and build confidence recognizing some of the species found across our preserves.
You’ll also learn more about TWC, the diversity of our preserves, the plants and animals that call them home, and why stewardship work like invasive species removal matters.
No experience is needed. The series is geared toward adults and teenagers, but all ages are welcome and can find it fun and rewarding. We provide the tools.
Can’t make it on Fridays? Prefer solo adventures? No problem. You can still participate on your own time by hiking the trail of the week, pulling garlic mustard, picking up trash, or simply enjoying nature. Be sure to email Zachary@WildernessCenter.org to get your participation form, and share your efforts by tagging TWC on social media or emailing your photos to Zac!
Dogs are welcome on group hikes and there are prizes too!
• 3 events = TWC pin
• 5 events = Engraved “Hike Our Trails” hiking stick
• 7 events = One-of-a-kind TWC engraved handmade flower press
If you received a hiking stick last year, you can either get another one or bring your existing stick back to be engraved with the 2026 symbol.
Join us as we celebrate another spring on the trails, care for the preserves that make this place special, and learn to see the woodland floor a little differently.
Questions? Email Zac at Zachary@WildernessCenter.org.
See you on the trails!