Volunteer service update: summarizing the second quarter of 2026

A huge THANK YOU to all of our volunteers for their dedication to the Buckeye Trail!

Here at the BTA, we are beyond grateful for every hour that someone chooses to spend building, maintaining, promoting, and preserving the Buckeye Trail. We want to take a moment to recognize those folks who go above and beyond.

Logging hours builds the Buckeye Trail’s future by helping us qualify for grants and funding, allowing us to report to key partners (like the U.S. Forest Service), and ensures you’re recognized for your service with awards and milestones.

Volunteer Accomplishments in 2026 (Year-to-Date)

Buckeye Trail Association volunteers have already accomplished an incredible amount this year, strengthening both the trail and the organization while creating opportunities for thousands of people to connect with Ohio’s outdoors.

Events & Community Engagement

• Successfully hosted the Biggest Day Hike and Little Loop Challenge and collectively hiked more than the length of the Buckeye Trail!
• Organized and led the BRRRR Oak Winter Hike, Morel Fest, EGGS Hike, the Scioto Sundays Hiking Series, and more!
• Planned and conducted Blue Blaze Academy (BBA), training 18 volunteers on sustainable trailbuilding in a weekend long workshop
• Participated in Ohio Tourism Day and hosting a Trail Breakfast for state legislators, showcasing the Buckeye Trail to legislators and tourism leaders
• Represented the Buckeye Trail at well over 10 community outreach and promotional events

Trail Stewardship & Conservation

• Hosted a Women’s Trailbuilding Day
• Completed two Circuit Trailwork events
• Organized and completed two Buckeye Trail Association work parties, along with numerous chapter work parties. Volunteers constructed three new bridges
• Held five Serenity Grove trail maintenance days with Rural Action, connecting women in recovery with nature
• Continued the popular Trail Tuesdays program with weekly trail maintenance throughout the season
• Protected the future of the Buckeye Trail through the acquisition of 40 acres of land, preserving the corridor in perpetuity - Hosted an Earth Day BioBlitz at the BTA Imhoff Preserve

Administrative and Organizational Growth

• Our Trail Town coordinators and volunteers celebrated and welcomed one new Buckeye Trail Town - Morrow
• Development volunteers implemented a successful spring fundraising campaign
• Communications volunteers published another issue of the Trailblazer magazine
• More than 60 new volunteers have joined in on Buckeye Trail volunteering so far this year, increasing volunteer capacity by adding specialists in Accounting, Data analysis, Information technology, Mapping, Grant writing, Graphic design, and more!

Overall Impact

Together, these accomplishments demonstrate the incredible dedication of Buckeye Trail Association volunteers. From building bridges and maintaining trail miles to welcoming new volunteers, educating hikers, protecting land, and strengthening the organization, their efforts continue to ensure the Buckeye Trail remains a world-class resource for generations to come.

Don’t see your accomplishment - big or small - listed here?

PLEASE let us know so that we can add it! We appreciate your work and want to showcase it, but as you can see - there’s a lot going on to keep track of. Contact volunteer@buckeyetrail.org so that your hard work can get recognized!