Some of our SBHT Trail Ambassadors are also members of the Trail Crew, who perform regular maintenance on the trail. That includes blowing leaves and debris from the trail, removing trees that fall over the trail, repairing erosion issues, and grooming the trail for cross-country skiing in the winter. Trail Crew members receive additional training on equipment and procedures depending on the tasks assigned. New Trail Crew members go with an experienced volunteer until they feel comfortable becoming a lead Crew member for a specific activity.

Maintenance projects are described in an email and sent to the Trail Crew list. Crew members respond with their availability and the scheduler will set the schedule based on availability and matching new with experienced volunteers. When the work is done, the Trail Crew members involved report their hours on a clipboard at the maintenance garage and send an email to the Trail Crew email list describing the work done.

Trail Crew Duties:

1. Trail Crew volunteers are responsible for keeping the trail safe for all users by maintaining trail shoulder and operating a blower to keep trail clear from debris and leaves. The crew volunteers will also remove trees and branches from trail with chainsaw and other equipment, as needed. Chainsaw operation requires NPS certification. At present, we have 2 Trail Crew members certified.
2. If volunteering in the winter, you could be operating a snow groomer preparing the SBHT trail for cross-country skiing.
3. Trail Crew members are scheduled via email as maintenance projects are identified.
4. It is very important to keep track and report your volunteer hours including transit time to and from the trail. Report the hours worked on the form located on a clipboard at the Maintenance garage in Glen Haven (South Trail) or at the Lawr Farm (North Trail).

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How to become a SBHT Trail Crew Volunteer:

1. Review the Trail Crew Volunteer Description on our Volunteer Job Descriptions page.
2. Fill out our online Volunteer Registration Form. A Volunteer Coordinator will get in touch with you and will set up training with the Trail Crew Manager.

Skills and Abilities Needed by Volunteers:

The volunteer’s physical conditioning must be good enough to permit walking moderate distances and using a shovel, rake, or broom. The tasks we typically undertake require use of hand tools and some battery-powered hedge trimmers or a backpack blower.

Trail Crew members should be comfortable interacting with park visitors and using their best efforts to answer questions and provide a positive image of the park as well as the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes organization.

Time Commitment of Volunteers:

There is no monthly time commitment. We ask that volunteers respond to email requests sent out when we are planning maintenance activities.