Cumberland Backcountry Service Week

Cumberland Island Backcountry Service Week 
Hosted by Laura Buckmaster

The Cumberland Island Trail Restoration Project begins. 

On December 2-6th, the Georgia Conservancy is hosting a four night, five day trail service work week in conjunction with the Cumberland Island Trail Restoration Project. 

Sponsored by REI and the M.K. Pentecost Ecology Fund, the Cumberland Island Trail Restoration Project is a joint effort by the Georgia Conservancy and Cumberland Island National Seashore to significantly improve Cumberland Island's iconic backcountry trail system. The project includes significant trail clearing, trail signage improvement, GPS trail mapping and the creation of the first professionally designed backcountry trail map in Cumberland Island history (featuring trail descriptions, mileage, habitat and more.) Project objectives will be directed by the Georgia Conservancy's Cumberland Island Trail Restoration Fellow, Laura Buckmaster.

Service volunteers will be based out of Hunt Camp, centrally located on the marsh side of the island and located in the shadow of the historic Plum Orchard. Hunt Camp provides campers with electricity, showers, bathrooms and the best sunset on Cumberland Island. Registration includes transportation from St. Marys to Cumberland Island, option for transportation to St. Marys from Atlanta, access to complementary gear bank, four dinners, four breakfasts, and three lunches. Unlike our service trip over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, (hosted January 16-18, 2016), the Cumberland Backcountry Service Week is not suitable for children or guests with health limitations. There will be no special transportation arrangements for volunteers, we arrive together in the morning of the 2nd and depart together in the morning on the 6th. 

Volunteer expectations: 

• Three full days of grueling trail work
• Volunteers will walk at least 8 miles daily though backcountry and wilderness conditions 
• Very little time for exploration of Cumberland natural and historical areas
• Scrapes, bruises, soreness (feet, arm, back), fatigue, tick bites, sunburn and much more
• The incredible feeling of giving back to one of the most important places on earth 

Costs: $125 per camper (covers cost of food and transport) 

Georgia Conservancy Membership Information:

The Georgia Conservancy is a membership supported organization. Support from members makes our land conservation, public policy, sustainable growth and trips work possible! Members receive discounts to trips and events - as well as invitations to member only activities (not to mention that warm fuzzy feeling you get from supporting a great organization!)

Georgia Conservancy Members use the promo code MEMBER to save $10 per ticket.

Georgia Conservancy Cambium Members use the promo code CAMBIUM to save $20 per ticket.

Not a member? Add on a membership below and use the promo code today! Not a member but use the promo code? This could result in the forfeiture of your ticket! If you have a question about your membership status please email Alexis Torres at atorres@gaconservancy.org.