Volunteer Recognition and Incentives

Volunteers play an integral role in the Ozark Trail Association. The Volunteer Recognition and Incentive Program honors dedicated volunteers for their tireless efforts to develop, maintain, preserve, promote and protect the rugged, natural beauty of the Ozark Trail.

Trail Builder Award:

The Trail Builder Award will be issued to any individual who attends one or more Construction & Maintenance Events (C&M).

The Trail Builder Award is cumulative in the following fashion:

• For the first C&M Event receive a Trail Builder Sticker and OTA branded Water Bottle
• For the fifth C&M Event receive an OTA branded LED headlamp
• For the tenth C&M Event receive an OTA branded Green Stainless Steel Water Bottle

The first time awards will be presented at the outing. Subsequent awards may be passed out at an outing or may be mailed to the individual.

Red Jacket Award:

The Red Jacket Award recognizes volunteers who keep coming out time after time to work on the trail. Red Jackets awardees for each year will be determined in the month of June. The jackets will normally be presented during a Fall Mega Event,

To earn the Red Jacket award the volunteer must be:

• A member in good standing of the Ozark Trail Association
• Have attended a minimum of 25 Construction & Maintenance events

Adopt-A-Trail (AAT):

The AAT incentives recognize those volunteers who have taken on the care and maintenance of a section(s) of the Ozark Trail above and beyond OTA scheduled events.

All volunteers who adopt a section of the Ozark Trail and receive an OTA branded notebook with an attached pen and once the volunteer has submitted their first adoption maintenance report and receive an AAT Team Member bumper sticker.

The Trailblazer Award will be issued to any individual or group who completes two maintenance outings on their entire adopted trail segment within the twelve month period beginning with their anniversary month. This award can be earned in successive years.

The Lopper Award will be issued to any individual or group who completes three maintenance outings on their entire adopted trail segment within the twelve month period, beginning with their anniversary month.

The Lopper Award is cumulative in the following fashion:

• For the first year, a Bronze Lopper Award will be issued.
• For the second consecutive year, a Silver Lopper Award will be issued.
• For the third consecutive year, it will be a Gold Lopper Award.
• For the fourth consecutive year, it will be a Platinum Lopper Award.
• At the end of five consecutive years, the individual or group will be issued an honor award, yet to be determined.

Award Program FAQs:

What qualifies as a Construction & Maintenance event?
A qualified construction and maintenance event is a scheduled event lead by a trained Crew Leader of the Ozark Trail Association. These are typically events where more then 5 people have attended.

What does not qualify as a Construction & Maintenance Event?
The following types of outings do not count as a C&M event: Adopt-A-Trail visits, dedicated sawyer visits (unless scheduled as a weekend event), Meetings, or other Support work. For details on a specific event send an email to the OTA Volunteer Coordinator, volunteer@ozarktrail.com

How do I find out how many events I have on record?
For C&M Events send an email to the OTA Volunteer Coordinator, volunteer@ozarktrail.com
For Adopt-A-Trail status send a email to the AAT Coordinator, otadopt12@gmail.com

Additional Awards and Incentives are in development.