• Annual Public Meeting set for Wednesday, March 11th
• SMC First Aid Training Recap
• Fairy House Building Contest Announced! Deadline April 12th
• Fairy Trail Day set for Saturday, May 3rd
• Registration Open for May 16th Mayapple Trail Runs
• Spring is coming - Make a plan to volunteer!
• SMC Ambassador Training on May 30th

Join us at our Annual Public Meeting to learn about the Conservancy's accomplishments and 2026 programs directly from the program coordinators and discover how you can get involved and volunteer.

Representatives from Trash Tackers, Trailkeepers, Chainsaw Gang, Citizen Science, Hiking and Fairy Trails, as well as board members, will be available to answer questions and share plans for the upcoming season.

Featured Speaker: Don Weise (pictured right) of the NY-NJ Trail Conference will speak on "Great Hikes and Less-Traveled Trails in North Jersey." Find out about new places to explore away from the beaten path! Don has extensive experience as a hiker and runner and just completed a new book on Circuit Hikes in Harriman.

This meeting is free and open to all. Join us!
RSVP is not required but appreciated!

This past month, South Mountain Conservancy volunteers, hiking leaders and board members participated in a hands-on First Aid training designed to build confidence and preparedness led by Jeffery Greenberg of Polaris Training. 

Participants practiced real-world emergency scenarios, learning how to respond calmly and effectively to situations that may arise during hikes, trail work, and community events. The session emphasized practical skills, participant safety, and teamwork.

As a volunteer-driven organization hosting dozens of public programs each year, safety is central to our mission. This training reflects our ongoing commitment to providing high-quality, safe, and welcoming experiences for everyone who enjoys the South Mountain Reservation.

Each participant was given a fully stocked first aid kit to have on hand while leading hikes or public programs. Thank you to all who participated and helped strengthen our community readiness. 

Houses must be made from natural, biodegradable materials as outlined in our guidelines and approved by our Program Coordinators before installation.

🍄 Photo submission deadline: Sunday, April 12
🍄 Installation days (approved houses only): Sunday, April 19 or April 26
We encourage you to submit your photos as early as possible in case any changes are needed before installation on the trail

🏆 Winners will be announced on May 2 at Fairy Trail Day
You do not need to be present to win, but we would love to celebrate with you!

Questions? Reach out to us at fairytrail@somocon.org and follow us on Instagram @southmountainfairytrail 
 

The South Mountain Conservancy Ambassadors Program is a dedicated team of volunteers who serve as friendly, knowledgeable stewards of the South Mountain Reservation.

Ambassadors help us preserve, protect, and restore the Reservation by:

• Educating visitors about SMC’s mission and programs
• Encouraging responsible trail use
• Promoting membership, donations, and volunteer opportunities
• Sharing trail knowledge and engaging with hikers
• Gathering feedback to improve the visitor experience

• Minimum of 4 volunteer days per year (ideally one weekend day per month at key Reservation locations) You choose your days!
• Occasional tabling at community events (fairs, festivals, etc.)
• Must be 18+

Ready to represent the Conservancy on the trails? Apply here:

We provide training, uniforms and materials — including SMC information, SMR guides and outreach guidance — so you’ll feel confident and prepared.

For more information, contact Program Coordinators Penni Malakates and John Bylancik at smcambassadors@somocon.org