HISTORY

Founded in 2021

In 2021, IMPACT was founded as a “Friends” group of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in order to assist in the upkeep and improvement of public trails

The “volunteer initiators” of the IMPACT were Ron Abraham, Gail Bartas, Pauline Burnes, Kevin Curtin, Glenn Gebhard, Gretchen Hanchett, and Mary Potter. IMPACT incorporated in 2021 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

IMPACT’s current focus is the West Almond Trail System, which includes 29 miles of multi-purpose trails through Phillips Creek, Palmer’s Pond, and Turnpike State Forests. Projects are planned for Coyle Hill State Park, and partnerships are in formation with volunteers on the WAG Trail and the Friends of the Genesee Valley Greenway. Bully Hill State Forest is a site of future projects.

Background

State forests in Allegany County date from the 1920s and 1930s when NY State purchased and reforested vast tracts of abandoned and eroding farmland in order to protect soil and water resources for habitat and recreation, and to provide a source of commercial timber.

The federal New Deal’s Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) provided hundreds of workers to grow nursery stock and plant trees on the newly acquired state forest lands. CCC camps were built at three locations in the county—Fillmore, Birdsall, and Almond. The first trees to be planted were evergreens. Subsequently, native hardwoods were introduced. These plantings continue.

Today Allegany County contains more 23 state forests totaling more than 46,000 acres. The DEC also manages the Wellsville, Galeton and Addison (WAG) rail trail.

Achievements

IMPACT’s achievements since 2021 include the following:

—The organization of semiannual trail maintenance days by engaging teams of volunteers in the clearing of fallen branches and other obstacles that can trip up hikers and the removal of low-hanging branches to permit the safe passage of horses and their riders.

—The development of a Master Plan for the West Almond Trail System in collaboration with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and Alfred University.

https://www.nps.gov/orgs/rtca/upload/West-Almond-Trail-System-Master-Plan.pdf

—The construction and installation of a new wooden bridge across the creek on Trail 2 through the efforts of volunteer faculty and students at Alfred State College Building Trades Department.

—The acquisition of equipment for grooming cross-county ski trails and the engagement of volunteers to do the grooming.

—The development of a trail hazards reporting system for use by anyone with a cell phone and an Avenza app.

—The purchase and installation of 3 trail counters to quantify year-round trail use.