Since joining a work crew on the Colorow Trail project in 2003, Glenn Wysocki of New Castle has become one of our most dedicated participants, volunteering on many other trail and conservation crews and serving as an ambassador on numerous RFOV projects (often doubling on kid duty with son Sage while Glenn’s wife, Eileen, leads a crew).

Glenn often works as an RFOV ambassador, helping check in volunteers at the start of the project day, assessing how the volunteers are holding up during the trail work, taking photos of crews and their work, ensuring volunteers are having a good experience, and helping prepare the free dinner at the end of the day.

"I like the project days because you get a general idea of what is going to be done on a trail, then you see the progress throughout the day and then an amazing result because of everyone’s combined efforts," Glenn says. "It’s fun to hike the trail again after the project and see the great work that has been done to keep it in good shape, even with heavy use."

Glenn is also a master at behind-the-scenes work, such as setting up and breaking down tents, supplies and equipment on project days and at other RFOV events, and soliciting donations from local businesses for project day give-aways. He has been instrumental in organizing the Hogback Hustle 5K in New Castle, an annual race that benefits RFOV.

Most recently, Glenn volunteered on National Trails Day, June 5, on the new Elk Creek Trail in New Castle, where he was an ambassador. In May, he also helped launch a new informational program for RFOV that aims to inform hikers and cyclists about volunteer opportunities with the organization. Glenn spent one of his weekend days greeting recreationists on Carbondale’s heavily used Red Hill.

"RFOV is a great group of people," he says. "It’s fun to get to know everyone and see them again on other projects. I would encourage people to do more projects and tell them about other ways to get involved in the organization."

And, perhaps, his most important role is helping to finish off the free beer on project days. Of all of the projects he’s worked on, Wysocki’s favorite trail remains the one that first introduced him to RFOV. "The Colorow Trail is close to home, it’s a loop, and it’s a good length. I like the views from the overlook. It’s close to town, but it feels like it’s a long way away."