New Jersey Trails Council

The New Jersey Trails Council consists of 16 members representing trail user groups, community groups, outdoor recreation and conservation organizations, and State governmental agencies. The New Jersey Trails Council was authorized through P.L. 1975, c. 367 following the passing of the State Trails System Act, N.J.S.A. 13:8-30. The New Jersey Trails Council (NJTC) operates in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:5D-2.1 and 23 U.S.C. 206(c)(2) and acts as an advisory body to the Department. The Council is instrumental in the formulation, review and implementation of the Trails Plan, as well as making funding recommendations to the Commissioner regarding Recreational Trails Program (RTP) applications.

Members of the NJTC serve for a period of three years from the date of appointment and until their successors are duly appointed. Members appointed during a current term to fill a vacancy in the Council will serve a prorated term and, if interested in reappointment, will need to apply again at the conclusion of the current Council’s term. Appointments to the NJTC are considered special State officers under the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). These are unpaid volunteer positions. Appointed NJTC members must represent a trail user group, outdoor recreation and conservation organization, or a community group within the State of New Jersey.

Public Comment:

The public may submit comments in writing to the NJTC at any time. Comments may be submitted to the Trails Program for distribution to the NJTC as a whole or to specific members. The Trails Program may be contacted at Trails@dep.nj.gov. In addition to being delivered via email to Trails Council members, all public comments received will be shared at the next meeting of the NJTC and will be included in the meeting minutes.

Meetings of the New Jersey Trails Council:

The NJTC meets three to four times a year – once in-person, with the remainder of meetings typically held virtually via Microsoft Teams. The in-person meeting is a full day meeting, while the Teams meetings are generally two to three hours in length, are held as needed, and are based upon member availability.

Upcoming New Jersey Trails Council Meetings:

  • June 18, 2025

Roles of New Jersey Trails Council Members:

  • Serve for a three-year term and until a successor is duly appointed
  • Attend and actively participate in meetings when available
  • Provide input and feedback representing their trail user group, community group, or outdoor recreation and conservation organization
  • Respond to questions and comments from the public related to the group or organization that they represent
  • Complete ethics trainings and forms that are required by the DEP

Responsibilities related to the State Trails System Act:

  • Participate in State Trails Plan update as needed, evaluate the Trails Plan and advise the Department on additions, deletions, and modifications
  • Represent the State of New Jersey during public engagement/stakeholdering of the State Trails Plan update
  • Encourage development of trails throughout the state and provide information to public on trail issues of statewide interest

Responsibilities related to the Trails Council’s role as the State Recreational Trail Advisory Committee for FHWA’s Recreational Trails Program funding for the state:

  • Provide guidance to the State in administering Recreational Trails Program funding
  • Develop project eligibility and evaluation & selection criteria
  • Recommend and select projects for funding

2024 – 2027 Term New Jersey Trails Council Members, appointed by Administrative Order 2024-07:

  • Peter Dolan (Chairperson) – New York-New Jersey Trail Conference – Pedestrian Trail Users Representative
  • Tim Brill – New Jersey Conservation Foundation – Outdoor Recreation and Conservation Organizations Representative
  • Merle Compton – East Coast Enduro Association – Motorized Trail Users Representative
  • William Foelsch – Morris Township Parks and Recreation – Local Government Trail Managers Representative
  • Debra Kagan – New Jersey Bike and Walk Coalition – Urban Trail User Representative
  • Michaeline Picaro-Mann – Ramapough Culture and Land Foundation – Indigenous Peoples Trail Representative
  • Lauren Salvatore, on behalf of Alex Rivera – Outdoor Equity Alliance – Environmental Justice Trail User Representative
  • Kenneth Seebeck – Jersey Off-Road Bicycle Association – Mountain Biking Trail Users Representative
  • Tom Sexton – Rails–to–Trails Conservancy – Multi-use Trail Users Representative
  • Todd Wolf – New Jersey Horse Council – Equestrian Trail Users Representative
  • Mark Zakutansky – Appalachian Mountain Club – Water Trail Users Representative
  • Elise Bremer-Nei – NJDOT Bureau of Safety, Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs – Ex-Officio Appointee
  • Martha Sapp – New Jersey Green Acres Program – Ex-Officio Appointee
  • Stephanie Vannais – New Jersey State Parks, Forests, and Historic Sites – Ex-Officio Appointee
  • Mackenzie Piggott (Staff) – NJDEP, Green Acres Program

Current New Jersey Trails Council Vacancies:

  • Trail Users with Disabilities Representative – application deadline Friday, June 27th. Interested individuals may submit an application via the form linked below.
  • Motorized Trail User Representative – application deadline was Monday, March 31, 2025. Applications are currently being reviewed and applicants will be notified once a nominee is selected.

New Jersey Trails Council Application:

To submit an application to the New Jersey Trails Council, visit the New Jersey Trails Council Application page.

New Jersey Trails Council Application

Once received, the New Jersey Trails Program will acknowledge and review applications for vacant positions. The Trails Program will email qualified applicants who submitted administratively complete applications, requesting confirmation of interest prior to advancing the applications to the NJTC for review. The NJTC will submit recommendations for nomination to the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) for review and approval. Applications for reappointment by current NJTC members will be reviewed by the New Jersey Trails Program and, if recommended, by the Commissioner. The Commissioner will make all final determinations for appointees. Considerations for NJTC membership appointment recommendations may include, but are not limited to:

  • Qualifications,
  • NJTC vacancies,
  • Current NJTC membership,
  • Diversity (geographic, ethnic, race, gender, etc),
  • Other relevant factors based on the Federal Recreational Trails Program (refer to 23 U.S.C. 206), and
  • Past involvement and contributions to NJTC for members seeking reappointment.

The NJTC and/or NJDEP may request to interview applicants prior to recommending for appointment.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the State Trails Coordinator at Trails@dep.nj.gov.