Following a record-breaking season for VVMTA’s Adopt-A-Trail and volunteer programs, our Youth Trail Stewards have once again proven that the future of outdoor stewardship in Eagle County is bright. This year, over 370 youth volunteers contributed 945 volunteer hours of hands-on trail work and environmental education across 15+ events, from Avon to Eagle and beyond.
Through school partnerships, youth organizations, and community programs, these young trail lovers didn’t just learn to swing a McLeod — they learned to care for their public lands, their trails, and one another.
Season Highlights
This year’s projects reached more schools and youth groups than ever before. Here’s a look at some of the season’s standout moments:
- Trail Work with The Cycle Effect: Young athletes swapped bikes for trail tools to clear drains, close social trails, and improve tread. By the end of summer, The Cycle Effect had 107 youth volunteers contributing over 170 hours of trail work and education.
- Mountain Rec “Backyard Explorer’s Camp”: Campers got their hands dirty (and had a few water fights!) removing invasive kochia at Eagle Bike Park before riding the freshly cleared features.
- Walking Mountains “Trailblazers” Camp: Middle schoolers capped a three-day hut trip with a trail project on Brown’s Loop Trail, removing willows and improving wetland boardwalks.
- Vail Mountain School, Vail Christian High School & Battle Mountain Green Team: Over 75 students spent service days maintaining Booth Lake, Wyse Way, and Stone Creek Trails, completing drainage improvements, tread work, and corridor clearing while learning about stewardship careers.
- Trail Talks with Vail Valley Ride: Over 120 kids learned about “Leave No Trace,” responsible recreation, and the power of picking up 1,182 rocks — all in a three-minute stewardship game!
Together, the Youth Trail Stewards:
Had 372 participants
Completed 945.5 volunteer hours
Covered 9.6 miles of trail
Cleared or created 66 drains
Repaired 1,950 feet of tread
Cleared over 10,000 feet of corridor
Removed trash, weeds, and rogue social trails across more than a dozen sites.
Youth Trail Stewards of the Year
Individual: Maria Papadopoulos
Team: The Cycle Effect
Maria’s dedication stood out during her time with the Eagle County Youth Corps, where she worked side by side with VVMTA and Walking Mountains Science Center. Her supervisor described her as “a joy to work with — always positive, always ready to jump in, and never afraid of hard work.” Whether carrying a 40-pound spool of barbed wire or encouraging her peers, Maria embodied the true spirit of stewardship.
With 107 youth participants and 170.5 volunteer hours, their energy, teamwork, and commitment shone on trails across the valley — from Arrowhead to Avon to Eagle. They covered 4 miles of trail, cleared or created 7 drains, repaired 255 feet of tread, closed 6 social trails, and cleared 4,874 feet of corridor!
These numbers don’t just measure work accomplished — they reflect community built, confidence gained, and a connection to the land that will last for years.
A Final Thank You
The 2025 season reinforced one clear message: youth stewardship is thriving. Between classroom visits, trail talks, and full-day projects, students of all ages learned how their small actions — even moving one rock or clearing one drain — make a lasting difference.
As we look toward 2026, VVMTA plans to expand partnerships with local schools, grow the Youth Trail Stewards network, and offer more leadership opportunities for returning students.
Interested in getting involved next year?
Educators, parents, and youth organizations can reach out to Natalie Neuwirth at natalie@vvmta.org to schedule a stewardship project or classroom presentation.
To every student, teacher, coach, and partner who joined us this year — thank you. You’ve shown that trail work isn’t just about maintaining paths through the forest; it’s about creating pathways for the next generation of leaders, caretakers, and changemakers.
Thank you for loving your trails and Respecting the Vail Valley.
Natalie Neuwirth, Trail Stewardship Coordinator
How YOU Can Support our Youth Trail Stewards Program:
Our Youth Trail Stewards are the next generation of trail advocates — but they can’t do it without your help. Your donation directly supports programs that connect hundreds of young people to trail work, conservation, and community leadership.
Donate now to support our youth volunteers with:
- Swag: We love recognizing our stewards with hats, shirts, and stickers they can proudly wear while maintaining trails and spreading the spirit of stewardship.
- Tools: Help us keep our toolkits sharp and stocked! New shovels, McLeods, loppers, and safety gear make every youth project more effective (and more fun).
- Food & Drink: After a long day of trail work, sharing snacks and a post-project celebration builds camaraderie and reinforces community values.
- Training & Education: Your gift funds field education on ecology, trail design, and sustainability — empowering youth to become confident, skilled, and passionate trail leaders.
