The Massachusetts Recreational Trail Advisory Board (MARTAB) was established by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) in 1993.
Contact Us
Phone
Online
About Us
MARTAB is a volunteer board, appointed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. As an independent entity, it provides advice to DCR staff on issues and projects of importance to the trail community. It represents every major trail user group from motorized users to non-motorized users and seeks to promote a cooperative, practical approach to solving trail issues. Its most important function is to make recommendations to the Commissioner on the distribution of the federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funds that come to each state from the US Department of Transportation. Massachusetts disburses approximately $1 million each year. MARTAB’s recommendations are the first cut on how these funds could be spent and involves the Board reviewing each proposal, discussing them, and rating them according to an agreed list of criteria and weights. At the end of the review process, a ranked list of the applications submitted from communities and organizations throughout the state is created and forwarded to the Commissioner and Governor for their approval.
MARTAB is involved in other activities, including sponsorship of statewide trail workshops to improve the skills and experience of the many trail volunteers working to enhance our trail network within the Commonwealth. They also assist in organizing the Massachusetts Trails Conference. These educational and community-building opportunities are funded through the Recreational Trails Program.
Member Name | User Group / Member Organization |
Board Chairs | |
Tim Craig | Youth Corps / Student Conservation Association |
Marianne Iarossi | Statewide Land Conservation Organization / Trustees of Reservations |
Board Members | |
Bill Boles | Mountain Biking / New England Mountain Bike Association |
Callum Cintron | Hiking / Appalachian Mountain Club |
Lawrence Tucker | Snowmobiles / Snowmobile Association of Massachusetts |
Becky Kalagher | Equestrian / Bay State Trail Riders |
Benton Phelps | All-Terrain Vehicles / New England ATV Association |
Mike White | 4-Wheel Drive Vehicles / Northeast Association of 4WD Clubs |
Elizabeth Johnson | Bicycling & Rail Trails / Norwottuck Network |
Joe Geller | Rail Trails / Topsfield Rail Trail Committee |
Sarah LaValley | Municipal Planners / City of Northampton |
Kathy Baugh | Community Trails and Greenways / Appalachian Trails Conservancy |
Bryce Spare | Skiers and Snowshoers |
Meg Bandarra | Universal Access / Unpaved trails for All; Friends of Northampton Trails |
Erik Boyer | Local Land Trust, Non-Profit / Wildlands Trust |
Agency Liaisons | |
Amanda Lewis | DCR, MassTrails Director |
Libby Knott | DCR, MassTrails Grant Program Manager |
Elijah Velluti-Fry | DCR, MassTrails Recreational Trails Program Manager |
Ellen Huffman | DCR, State Parks and Forests Trails Planner |
Scott Morrill | EOEEA, Off-Highway Vehicle Coordinator |