Stewardship projects
From single-day frontcountry projects to multi-day backcountry adventures, each summer season ABWF volunteers strike out across the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness to muddy their boots and fill their hearts with the good hard work of taking care of this magnificent landscape. We offer two primary kinds of volunteer stewardship projects: multi-day trail trips and single-day stewardship events.
Here are examples of the types of trips we’ve been running:
EXTENDED BACKCOUNTRY ADVENTURES
During our popular summer trail maintenance adventures, volunteers learn traditional skills like use of cross cut saws and trail-building techniques, while participating in meaningful teamwork, connecting with like-minded wilderness enthusiasts, and experiencing the wonders of The AB in a unique and memorable new way.
Each summer, our volunteers join USFS and ABWF trail crews to venture out to remote corners of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, saws and pulaskis in hand, to clear trails, clean drains, and assist with trail construction. By keeping the wilderness trail system in good order, we not only enhance recreation opportunities but also protect the wild lands of the AB from erosion, degradation, and the impacts of overuse.
Below is an example of a past trip from 2024
East Rosebud Trail Retread
Dates: Thursday, June 27, to Tuesday, July 2, 2024
Close To: Red Lodge (35 miles, majority paved) & Columbus (41 miles)
Hiking Intensity: Easy
Work Intensity: Most Strenuous
Spots Available: FULL – ACCEPTING WAITLIST
One might rightfully say that “The Beaten Path” is Montana’s most iconic Wilderness trail. Be part of history you can tell your grandkids about as we assist the USFS in rebuilding several miles washed out in the thousand-year flood of Spring 2022. This is your chance to play a helping hand in a project at a scale that hasn’t been seen since the era of the Civilian Conservation Corps. The project will provide a classic Beartooth experience with miles of walking, heavy tool swinging and lots and lots of rock movement as we put the finishing touches on the new trail. After a hard day’s work volunteers will have the special treat of Camp Chef Maxwell Maynard serving up local products from communities around the AB Wilderness.
2025 trips will be announced in early 2025. Cick the button below to view past projects.
SINGLE-DAY & WEEKEND STEWARDSHIP EVENTS
If a week-long trip isn’t in the cards for you, one of our bite-sized trail maintenance projects may be just the ticket.
Throughout the spring, summer, and fall, we offer single-day and weekend stewardship events from weed pulls to cleanups. Bring a friend or make one during one of these fun volunteer events. For upcoming opportunities, check out our events calendar.
Check out the locations of our 2024 stewardship projects by clicking the button below.
Interested in volunteering for a stewardship project?
Our summer volunteer service opportunities will be published here for review in February each year. Projects will open for registration on Monday March 12th. Save the date!
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