Collaboration on the Mark Twain National Forest recognized for excellent public service

July 21, 2021

*Sun shining on a freshly groomed trail on the Mark Twain National Forest. Photo courtesy of Nate Smith, COMO Trail Association.*

MISSOURI—Mark Twain National Forest’s Deputy Forest Supervisor, Tony Crump, recently presented members of The Columbia Missouri Trail Association with an award recognizing the group for their excellent public service through organized trail work and volunteer events. COMO Trail Association is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to creating and maintaining sustainable, natural-surface trails in the mid-Missouri region.
The Cedar Creek unit of the Forest has greatly benefited from the group’s presence, as they provided much-needed attention to hiking opportunities on public lands convenient to users in the Jefferson City and Columbia area.

“With the COMO Trail Association’s help, we have been able to update trail signs and repair entire trails much faster than normal thanks to their scouting and planning efforts,” said Tray Hall, district recreation officer, Mark Twain National Forest.

The COMO Trail Association began working with the forest in 2020 and impressed Forest Service recreation staff. Last year, they cleaned Moon Loop and inside and around the Pine Ridge Campground. They also cleared limbs and trees from trails and corrected erosion issues on some of the Smith Creek Loop and parts of the Cedar Creek Trail near Devil's Backbone. Since 2020, they have cleared trails of downed trees and have provided updates on the status of the range allotment gates that have broken down over the years.

Their success is also due to the group’s working relationship with neighboring volunteer groups like the Heartland chapter of the Backcountry Horsemen of Missouri. They work together to build a coalition of volunteers and plug new, interested citizens into well-planned projects. This collaboration helps them reach their goal of giving greater opportunities for mountain bikers and outdoor enthusiasts to live healthy, active lives.

Assistance from volunteer groups like this helps the forest stay informed on patterns of trail usage and conditions on the ground. “COMO Trail Association has provided excellent quality of work over the entire trail systems, stewarding the whole, and I am glad we have a chance to honor them for that work,” said Hall.

From left, Tray Hall, district recreation officer, Mark Twain NF, Andy Schuette, COMO Trail Association, Tony Crump, deputy forest supervisor, MTNF, Nate Smith, COMO Trail Association, and Jane Mobley, forest/manpower development specialist, MTNF. USDA Forest Service.