MONROE — The Friends of the Badger and Sugar River State Trails is recruiting volunteers for three two-year board positions with terms beginning Monday, Nov. 25. Those passionate about the trails and would like to take a leadership role in helping the group serve its mission to protect, promote and maintain the health and safety of the trails and its users should consider joining.
A director’s role involves a commitment of between 15-25 hours a year. Executive Board positions generally require double that effort. They hold four 2-3 hour meetings a year and encourage board members to get involved in supporting a couple of activities throughout the year as well.
Among the types of activities board members may engage in are:
● Helping to organize and/or participate in trail clean-up in their community
● Planning or developing a trail-related education program e.g. Explorer Program)
• Writing an article for the group newsletter (on birding, the history of the Monticello Wool Mill, etc.)
● Contacting a local organization (school, non-profit, business) to recruit volunteers for an event
● Recruiting a presenter for and organizing a trail-related public lecture (e.g. Bats of the Stewart Tunnel)
● Writing a grant for funds to build a kiosk or repair a bridge on a trail
● Thinking of creative new ideas to promote and protect the trails and its users
Interested candidates should send a two to three paragraph biography introducing themselves, their interest in the group and qualifications in an email to the Friends’ Board of Directors at: information@friendsofbadgerstatetrail.org no later than Nov. 15.
The next meeting will be held virtually from 3-4:30 p.m. on Nov. 16. Use the Zoom link at https://tinyurl.com/yw3cxc4f. Meeting ID: 889 5510 4291. Passcode: 732585.
Those interested but cannot attend, or have any questions for us, please contact us at membership@friendsofbadgerstatetrail.org.
Only paid members may vote for the board of directors.
Upcoming sponsored trail events include:
● Earth Day Clean Up — Volunteers from communities along both Badger and Sugar River Trails helped clean up the trails
● Friends Prairie Hike at Mile 13 of the Badger State Trail — Event was jointly hosted with The Prairie Enthusiasts
● A Walk in the Weeds and Wildflowers — Presented by South Central Invasives Partnership, held at the Monticello Library
● Exploring the Birds of the Sugar River — Albany Wildlife Area, Guided by Members of the WI Society of Ornithology
● Bike Safety & Scavenger Hunt — Held at Belleville Public Library and the Badger Trail
The group is grateful for the partnerships we have forged with The Prairie Enthusiasts, South Central Invasives Partnership, WI Society of Ornithology, Upper Sugar River Watershed Association, local libraries and volunteer groups.
