Stewardship Program

NFCT’s core mission includes the responsible stewardship of our 740-mile waterway. This is no easy task. We work with landowners, land managers and volunteers to ensure that this corridor is safe and accessible for public use.

Our staff provides leadership and direction for a summer stewardship crew and volunteer trail maintainers. Through their expertise, collaboration and hard work we improve and maintain the trail each summer. Projects may include installing access ramps, building new lean-to’s and campsites or building composting privies.

More than 50 trail maintainers adopt a segment of the NFCT ranging from 10 to 20 miles. In the spring,  maintainers open existing campsites, replace trail markers, and inspect access areas and portage paths.

Help us care for the NFCT: join us for a Waterway Work Trip, a series of weekend events open to volunteers and lead by our stewardship crews. If you’d like to support our stewardship work, please donate to our Trail Fund.

In all that we do, we are committed to maintaining an exceptional recreational experience, while also supporting healthy waterways and engaged communities.

2021 Stewardship Season Recap