Training, safety, and certification information

Whether you’re trimming brush, blazing trail, or helping at an event, volunteers like you make the Buckeye Trail possible.

Training overview

Some roles require specific training, especially those involving tools or official trail maintenance.

Here’s what to know:

  • Trail Adopters: Review the Trail Adopter Handbook for responsibilities and guidance. Once you’ve read up and feel ready to get to work, we’ll put you in touch with a Section Supervisor or Chapter Leader who can meet with you in person and give you a rundown on the basics.

  • Trail Building: Each spring, the Buckeye Trail Association (BTA) hosts a weekend-long Blue Blaze Academy. Blue Blaze Academy is a series of workshops designed to train and educate volunteers about sustainable trail building and maintenance, conservation, and volunteer leadership.

  • Sawyers: Chainsaw work requires current USFS certification. See details below.

Safety first

Safety is essential in all we do. Before heading out to do trail maintenance or join a trail work party:

  • Review the Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) for your role and check out the National Park Service’s Trail Safe Series

  • If you’re going out alone, inform someone of your plans, including your route (point-to-point or round trip) and estimated return time. Consider working with a companion, especially for extreme weather conditions (hot/cold).

  • Beware of environmental hazards. Always check the weather before going out and wear seasonally appropriate clothing. Determine whether or not you will need sunscreen, insect repellent or nets, rain jackets, winter coats, blaze orange (for hunting season), or winter/waterproof boots. Don’t go out if the forecast calls for storms or other severe weather.

  • Wear appropriate protective gear, including gloves, long pants, and sturdy close-toed shoes or boots. Helmets are required at all Buckeye Trail work parties: bring your own or borrow one of ours.

  • Make sure you bring plenty of water, snacks, dry socks, a lightweight rain jacket, a flashlight, a small first aid kit, and required prescription medications (e.g. inhaler, epi-pen, etc.); navigation resources such as maps/compasses; and a fully charged cell phone for emergencies.

While working:

  • Use properly maintained and sharpened tools.

  • Take rest breaks as needed and stay hydrated, even in colder temperatures—drink before you feel thirsty.

  • Listen to your body and recognize early signs of dehydration, hypothermia, and heat disorders.

  • Check for ticks periodically and at the end of the day.

Volunteer Handbook

Anyone can volunteer with the Buckeye Trail Association! There is such a variety of volunteer needs within the BTA, you’ll find something for every ability. Read our Volunteer Handbook to learn more about the inner workings of the BTA and the BTA Volunteer Program. When you’re done reading the handbook, you’ll know what’s expected, how to stay safe, and how to make your service meaningful.

Download the Volunteer Handbook →

Sawyer certification

Using a chainsaw on the Buckeye Trail? The Buckeye Trail Association endorses the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service’s approach to the administration of their respective employee worker safety programs and joins with those agencies in the administration of safety programs to protect volunteers and employees working on the Buckeye Trail.

Individual BTA volunteers have primary responsibility for their own personal safety and for compliance with the requirements for chainsaw and crosscut saw operators. Furthermore, each volunteer assumes personal responsibility for following volunteer leader directions, assessing their own physical condition and preparedness for engaging in trail‐work activities, and coming properly equipped and clothed in a manner appropriate for the location, duration, weather conditions, and proposed work.

The BTA follows current individual safety requirements that apply to federal employees in those agencies, but recognizes that volunteers may require additional time, resources, and assistance to meet agency requirements and goals. Those requirements can be found in the USDA Forest Service Health and Safety Code Handbook “Minimum Requirements for Chainsaw Operation” (Section 22.48, pages 20‐47 through 20‐62) and “OSHA General Requirements for Logging Operations.” The BTA encourages volunteers to maintain current voluntary services agreements with their federal agency partners.

Submit your certification →

First aid certifications

While not required to volunteer with the BTA, independent certifications in first aid, CPR, and Wilderness First Aid give volunteers helpful tools, systems, and confidence to handle emergencies, whether in the frontcountry or on the trail.

Recommended providers include:

Tool access

Need tools to get the job done?

  • Volunteers may be able to borrow tools from their local Chapter, including mowers, pruners, and handsaws.

  • Trail Adopters can get blaze paint from the BTA Visitor and Volunteer Resource Center at 127 Main Street in Shawnee.

  • Contact your Section Supervisor, Chapter Leadership, or email volunteer@buckeyetrail.org to request access to tools near you.

  • You may also purchase tools and write off the expense as a donation on your taxes.