Partners Bay State Trail Riders Association
Karen Parlin
In 2021, BSTRA supported its mission to ensure trails are open and safe for all users, especially equestrians, through numerous ways. Nineteen rides were held in 11 towns and three states with a total of 719 riders in attendance. Local trails benefited from 307.48 hours of work at the following locations: Douglas State Forest, Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) in Douglas, BSTRA Property in
Mary Ellen Coyne and Karleen Mohn, winners of the Bay State Trail Riders Association 2021 Trivia Ride.
Douglas, West Hill Dam in Uxbridge, Peppercorn Hill in Upton, Hodges Village Dam in Oxford, Inman Hill Wildlife Conservation Area in Mendon, as well in Hubbardston, Athol, Barre, and Thompson, Connecticut. Seventeen-plus acres in Douglas were purchased to connect the SNETT to town-owned trails behind the schools, keeping the property preserved for future use. BSTRA donated to support bridge and trail improvements at Mount Jefferson in Hubbardston and the preservation of the Kelly property at Peppercorn Hill. Improvements to the parking field at Inman Hill were paid for by BSTRA. Let’s work together to make 2022 even more impactful! BSTRA plans to
complete the BSTRA property connector trail and the Red Pine Trail improvement, as well as support other areas. We cannot do it without you. Please save the dates for trail workdays scheduled for April 10, April 16, and May 21. Volunteers are essential to fulfill our mission. Many hands are needed to put on an event. Can you represent BSTRA at a local meeting, mark trails, or help with clean-up after a ride? Assist with fundraising? If you answered yes to one or all these questions, we want to hear from you. We’re also looking for someone to organize our National Trails Day Ride in June. The BSTRA volunteer program is a great way to support trails. Volunteers with four or more hours qualify for yearend awards and earn $0.75 per volunteer hour that can go toward membership fees, AGM tickets, ride passes, BSTRA clothing, gift certificates, or be donated back to BSTRA. But the best part of volunteering is you have fun working with others toward a common goal. To learn more, visit bstra.org. In other news, we would like to welcome Stefanie Covino, Phil Rutledge, and Jane Rutledge to the Trails Committee! The 2022 ride calendar is posted at bstra.org. Check it often to keep informed and sign up for events. Be sure to like us on Facebook so you don’t miss updates. And, if you have not done so already, please renew your membership. If you are not a member, consider joining. Not only will you have fun at our events, you’ll also be supporting trail riding and preservation. BSTRA membership also includes our monthly newsletter, The Bugle, reduced ride fees, and the opportunity to purchase excess liability insurance. To learn more and to join, visit bstra.org. See you on the trails!
y Annamaria Paul
Community Horse Spring/Summer 2022
87
