Some of the National Park's most heavily used – and often poorly maintained – hiking trails are getting a lot of attention from eight students and two team leaders this month.
Under the auspices of the Student Conservation Association, four students from St. Croix and four from the mainland are maintaining trails.
"The crew will be clearing vegetation, building and repairing stone steps, repairing damaged drainage ditches, and removing loose rock" according to the Friends of the VI National Park. "The effects of thir work will reduce erosion to trails vulnerable to deterioration due to steep slopes, shallow topsoil, and severe rain."
The students began their work June 18th and will finish July 17th.
At the end of the four weeks, the Park will have between six and eight miles of its most opular trails in safe and environmentally sound condition, the Friends said.
The cost of the SCA program is $37,000. It's being paid by an anonymous donor, according to the St. John Source. The money pays some of the students, the crew leaders and also covers food and training expenses.