The TrailKeeper Reach Stewards take primary responsibility for the stewardship of the watertrail. Their work on each reach is coordinated by their Trail Steward and may be largely performed by Assistant Reach Stewards and or Reach Volunteers . The Reach Steward is responsible for performing all stewardship functions and work described below in a safe and environmentally sensitive way. Reach Stewards will serve a one year term in their position and may be reappointed by the Trail Steward following an annual review. All TrailKeeper volunteers are required to follow all work and safety protocols as provided by the TrailKeeper Program Manager during the performance of their TrailKeeper job. Reach Stewards may be required to attend volunteer orientation and training sessions provided by the local Forest Preserve or Conservation District for their reach.
The TrailKeeper Reach Steward job has four basic stewardship functions which are to:
- Monitor
- Report
- Maintain
- Advocate
The Reach Steward may also recruit and coordinate volunteers to be an “Assistant Reach Steward” who will assist the Reach Steward with the four stewardship functions.
The Reach Steward is responsible for monitoring and reporting on the condition of the sites and reach to the watertrails' Trail Steward. Reach Stewards can also organize clean-ups and other events that maintain, call attention to and promote the use of the watertrail. The Reach Stewards and the Trail Steward will work together to monitor and advocate implementation of the recommendations of the NE IL Regional Water Trails Plan and Northeastern IL Regional Water Trails Council by establishing relationships with trail users, site owners and local authorities and attending watertrail committee meetings when possible.
Monitoring
During the warm weather paddling season the Reach Steward will regularly monitor site and trail conditions and report any hazards, problems or changes to the Trail Steward.
The Reach Steward may also monitor specific parameters as locally needed such as the recreational use of the waterway and watertrail, monitor and correlate reach water levels at access sites with nearby USGS stream gauges and bridge heights, monitor water quality, monitor and document pollution in and near the water, and monitor and report illegal dumping or discharges from outfalls.
The Reach Steward will monitor and maintain accurate records of all TrailKeeper volunteer time and work done on the reach.
Reporting
The Reach Steward will regularly survey the reach and report any obstructions, hazards, problems or changes to the Trail Steward.
The Reach Steward will file an annual report on-line at the Northeastern Illinois Water Trail WaterLog as part of the “Paddle A Trail Month” event. The simple report form is on-line at: http://www.openlands.org/watertrails_blitz_log.asp The WaterLog is a “living canoe guide” that provides frequently updated information about Illinois watertrails to paddlers. Reach Stewards will also update the WaterLog reach report as conditions change and during periods of dangerous conditions such as high water and floods.
The Reach Steward will notify the Trail Steward in advance whenever possible of all planned volunteer activity on their reach.
The Reach Steward will report all volunteer time and work done on the reach to the Trail Steward.
Maintaining
The Reach Steward will be responsible for clean-ups of general garbage and debris on the water along the reach as needed and as possible. Clean-ups can be done by the Reach Steward or coordinated by the Reach Steward and performed by Assistant Reach Stewards or volunteers or local organizations such as paddling clubs or local community groups.
The Reach Steward may remove small trail obstructions and hazards that can be safely removed using small hand tools such as loppers and bow saws from the bank, a boat or by wading.
The Reach Steward will report larger obstructions to the Trail Steward who will arrange for removal by local maintainers (if any) or the TrailKeepers “In-Stream Maintenance” crew.
Advocating
The Reach Stewards and the Trail Steward will work together to advocate implementation of the recommendations of the NE IL Regional Water Trails Plan and Northeastern IL Regional Water Trails Council by establishing relationships with site owners and local authorities and attending watertrail committee meetings when possible.
Reach Stewards can, with the approval of the Trail Steward and TrailKeeper Program Manager, organize other events that maintain, call attention to and promote the use of the watertrail.
On those reaches where non-functional dams or other structural obstructions exist, the Reach Steward may also advocate for the modification or removal of the dam and/or safe passage through or around the dam. The Reach Steward may also advocate for other improvements that enhance the watertrail users experience and/or safety.
Where and when feasible, the Reach Steward will work with the Trail Steward to advocate for the installation of point-of-access signage indicating the reach has been adopted and is maintained by “Illinois Water TrailKeepers, a joint project of the Illinois Paddling Council and Openlands”.
Assumption of Risk
Openlands requires all Illinois Water TrailKeeper volunteers to sign an Assumption of Risk document prior to performing any TrailKeeper activity.
Download the Assumption of Risk, Release and Indemnification.
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