Friends of the Mountains - to - Sea Trail

Orange County Workday, Oct. 10th, 2026

Sat, Oct 10 · 9:00 AM EDT

2201 Moorefields Rd, Hillsborough, NC, US

WORKDAY LEADER:
Bill Boyarsky, FMST Task Force Leader, Orange County

For complete details about this workday, including the preliminary planned activities for the day and a list of 2026 workdays be sure to click on either of the following links:

Orange County Workday, Oct. 10th or if you prefer En español

Below is a summary of Bill's notes:

Hi Friends (of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail),

On our October workday, we will return to Moorefields to continue work on the large invasive wisteria infestation.

This will be a short workday: we'll stop work by noon to allow for the setup of the Moorefields' Bluegrass Festival. If you join us for this workday, or have participated in a past workday at Moorefields, you are invited to attend this festival, as a 'thank you'. (If you come in through the main gate, just tell the folks at the gate that you've volunteered with the FMST).

Date, Time: Oct. 10th 9 am - 12 pm. If you can't stay for the entire time, please know that we are deeply appreciative of any effort you contribute.

Meeting Location:
2201 Moorefields Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278. Drive up the driveway, past the Seven Mile Creek parking, through the first white gate. Park in small field on the left of the drive just before you reach the second white gate (36°03'36.1"N 79°08'38.4"W), then walk up the driveway to the orientation, to the left of the building.

If you can join the team: Please respond by email to Bill.Boyarsky@gmail.com by this coming Tuesday, Oct. 6th -- your response informs the breakfast preparation and tools that will await you, helps me plan the day, and puts you on the notification list for further updates (about this workday) or a workday cancellation message.

What to bring: You need to wear appropriate-for-the-weather work clothes (that can get dirty), solid shoes or boots, and work gloves. Bring lunch (if you plan to work into the afternoon), snacks, and water, . If you have a favorite tool, bring it.

What we bring: We will provide all tools, extra work gloves, and instructions. If you are new to this kind of activity, there will be experienced volunteers within asking distance: we are a supportive trail community that loves to grow.

Cancellation: If the workday is cancelled due to bad weather an email will be sent out no later than 10:00 p.m. the preceding day to all those who RSVP'ed to Bill.Boyarsky@gmail.com

Safety: Use tools carefully. If you do not know how to use a particular tool, or what to do in a particular circumstance please ask. Do not work too close together -- avoid hitting the person next to you. When walking past another volunteer, please say something so they know you are approaching. Do not lift anything heavier than you can comfortably lift -- know your own limits. Take plenty of breaks. Undertake different tasks with different tools throughout the day. Make sure to drink plenty of water, even when it's cold outside. .Be aware of ticks, chiggers, snakes, stinging insects, and poison ivy.

The Archaeological Conservancy (TAC) project:
The Archaeological Conservancy now owns the 20 acres of former CAHPT/Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation land containing historic native american settlements (and which hosts the MST) along the riverwalk, in Hillsborough. The FMST chainsaw team has joined with TAC to start removing trees whose roots are pushing around remaining archaeological evidence. This will be a multiyear project which offers opportunity for sawyers to gain experience, and volunteers to support another worthy project (managing the wood and ultimately delivering firewood into the community). Workdays are about twice a month (one weekday, one weekend). Detailed announcements about this project will go only to those expressing interest in such mailings. If you want to be on that list or join a workday, email Bill.Boyarsky@gmail.com.

Next Orange County MST workdays (RSVP to Bill)

• Nov 14
• Dec 12

If you are not on our Eno/Orange County workday announcements email list (to get announcements like this one), but would like to be, let me know by email.

Next Eno MST workdays (RSVP to Fred)

• Nov 7
• Dec 5

Next Alamance County MST workdays (RSVP to Andrew)
The Alamance County team is working on trail along the Haw River. Andrew, the Task Force Leader, would welcome email about a workday or a request to be added to his Workday Announcement email list.

• Oct 17
• Nov 21
• Dec 19

Next Archaeological Conservancy (TAC/MST) workdays (RSVP to Bill)

• Oct 13, 24
• Nov 5, 22
• Dec 4, 13, 29

And thanks for all you do for the Mountains-To-Sea Trail,

Bill Boyarsky
(Bill.Boyarsky@gmail.com)
Friends of the MST Task Force Leader, Orange County
(919) 451-2900
Pronouns: he, him

Check out the Friends of the Mountains-To-Sea Trail website

If you want to be added to the official MST email notification list to receive Falls Lake Trails workday announcements and details, email: bbrown@mountainstoseatrail.org

SUNDAY November 15th, 2026 - Calling all Falls Lake Volunteers!

Sun, Nov 15 · 9:00 AM EST

Food Lion Parking Lot, 121 Sherron Rd, Durham, NC, US

NOTE: This volunteer day is on SUNDAY due to deer hunting season.

DATE/TIME: SUNDAY – November 15th, 2026, 9 am - 4 pm
If you are unable to stay for the entire time know your contribution is greatly appreciated.

MEETING LOCATION: Meet at the outside edge of the Food Lion parking lot at the intersection of Sherron/Patterson Road and Highway 98. The address is:
121 Sherron Rd., Durham, NC 27703.
GPS: 35.974617,-78.793

Enjoy a complimentary biscuit and coffee before a short safety and organizational briefing after which we will disperse to tend to various sections of the trail.

RSVP: to jdbrewer104@gmail.com or 919-900-0483 by Wednesday, Nov 11th.

If you are new at trail work please let us know and we will pair you up with an experienced volunteer.

What you will need to provide:
Work clothes suitable for the weather,
Solid shoes or hiking boots,
Plenty of water,
Bag Lunch,
Work gloves, if you have them (If not, we have some).

We have the tools that will be needed.

WORK SAFELY: This, the most important thing, is our primary objective!
In particular:

• Use tools carefully. If you do not know how to use a particular tool, or what to do in a particular situation please ask.
• Do not work too close together and be careful with rakes, shovels, and mattocks to avoid hitting the person next to you. When walking past another volunteer, please say something so they know you are there.
• Know your limits. Do not lift anything heavier than you can comfortably lift and lift with your legs not with your back.
• Pace yourself. This is not a race. We will be working on and maintaining this trail for many years to come.
• Take frequent breaks. Make sure to drink plenty of water. Don't wait until you feel thirsty.
• Be aware of hazards. There are holes in the ground to step in; branches, rocks and roots to trip over; thorns; wasps; poison ivy (fortunately not too much of that on this segment of trail); ticks; chiggers; and other hazards.
• Remain alert and be cautious.

Have a good time. This is a scenic area. There are box turtles, heron, woodpeckers, hawks, deer, beaver, and other wildlife in this area as well as scenic views of the lake.

TYPICAL WORKDAY TASKS:
TRIMMING: Cutting branches and logs across the trail.
RAKING THE TRAIL: It is necessary to rake the trail tread clear of leaves, branches, other debris so that we know where we need to level the trail, fill holes, etc. Please use caution while raking to avoid poking others with the rake handle.
PULLING OUT SMALL SAPLINGS FROM TRAIL TREAD: There will be some small saplings in the trail tread. If these are cut off they tend to grow back from the roots, so we need to either pull them by hand (if they are very small), dig them out with a mattocks, or if they are up to an inch in diameter, pull them out with the weed wrench.
FILLING HOLES: These need to be filled if they are within the 2' wide trail tread, or if they are within several feet of the trail on either side. We have shovels and buckets for this purpose.
LEVELING TRAIL TREAD: Walking across the side of a hill is tiring and increases the likelihood of injury. The finished trail tread should be, in cross section, close to level.
TRASH: We have trash bags to pick up trash along the way. We will carry the trash out to one of the ends of the trail section.

Thanks to:

• Great Outdoor Provision Company for sponsoring our breakfast biscuits from Bojangles for Sunday workdays.
• Starbucks off Falls of Neuse Road and Durant Road for the coffee.
• REI Co-op, whose local stewardship grants support our volunteer trail crews, add new miles of footpath, and improve signage which helps more people find and follow the Falls Lake Trail section of the MST.

NOTE: To be added to the official FMST email notification list to receive Falls Lake Trail's and other FMST workday announcements and details, email: bbrown@mountainstoseatrail.org