There are many opportunities ranging from physically demanding trips into remote areas to a day hike with a paintbrush. By contributing your weekend or vacation time to a backcountry volunteer project you can make a solid contribution to backcountry preservation, restoration, and recreation. Backcountry volunteer opportunities include a wide variety of topics such as biological research expeditions in Central America, archaeology digs as well as trail maintenance. Work with established land use officials and organizations. If you haven't done trail maintenance work join a 2 or 3 day work crew and get introduced.
Some clubs have specific introductory courses in trail maintenance.
Most people do not have the slightest idea of what they are in for when the flyer says be prepared for hard work under adverse conditions. The National Park Service has a detailed listing of skills required for trial maintenance workers. Do not apply for these unless you are experienced in hiking at high elevations. The listings are of groups organizing backcountry volunteer trail crews. Area codes are being added rapidly, the numbers listed are subject to change as area codes change.