Morris first caught the trail work ‘bug’ working on National and State Trail day projects in the mid 80s and has never looked back. Now his dedication to supporting trails spans over three decades. Through many different trail organizations, he has served as a crew leader for volunteer trail projects, a passionate fundraiser, trail ambassador, and organizer for popular trail events.
For all of his leadership as a dedicated volunteer, Morris was awarded the California Trails and Greenways’ Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award, recognition he truly deserves!
Nonprofit Board Leadership and Planning
Following his early experiences with trail building and event organizing, Morris became deeply involved as a leader in multiple trail organizations.
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Bay Area Ridge Trail Council (RT)
Morris has served for 18 years on the Board of Directors, including Executive Committee, Board Secretary, and Chair of the Trail Committee. He has played a key role in all aspects of the organization, including strategic planning, program development, advocacy, funding development, outreach, and more.
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Bay Area Barns and Trails (BABT)
He has also served for 15 years on the Board of Directors at BABT including as Treasurer. Morris played a pivotal role in sustaining the organization after the founder passed away, shepherding it towards financial stability and facilitating grants to dozens of trail projects.
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Volunteers for Outdoor California (V-O-Cal)
He has worked on the Planning Team and as Project Lead since 2010 and Crew leader since 2007. He has led over 1,000 volunteers as project lead on large-scale trail building and maintenance projects. Read more about Morris’s work with V-O-Cal in this Bay Nature article.
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Tilden Wildcat Horsemen’s Association (TWHA)
For 17 years, Morris has served as Newsletter Editor, as well as Treasurer during that time. He has also helped organize and participate in over 50 TWHA volunteer trail stewardship projects and over a dozen horse-camping trips.
Amazing and Inspiring Trail Events
Morris created, organized and developed many trail events that have grown into beloved annual traditions.
He created and has continued to lead (while bringing along many other co-leaders, agencies and nonprofits) the annual East Bay Hills Equestrian Ride and Hike for 20 years. Participants traverse up to 100 miles, and join together each evening to share stories, gourmet hot meals and entertainment. Volunteers shuttle gear between the campsites and prepare dinners and breakfasts. An auction raises funds to support many trail organizations.
Cumulatively through this event, 725 equestrians, 650 hikers and 1075 volunteers participated and raised over $349,000 to support local trail organizations.
The V-O-Cal model of combining multi-day camp outs and hundreds of volunteers to build trails immediately excited Morris and he hasn’t missed a major project since his first in 2007. “Morris has played a role in absolutely everything V-O-Cal has done since his first project,” says Director Cathy Moyer (crew leader, project lead, planning team member and fundraiser). She adds that Morris’s support for V-O-Cal has been critical, invaluable and irreplaceable.
Leadership
Morris’ enthusiasm for trails and the critical importance of expanding, connecting and improving them is infectious. He nurtures partnership among different communities and interest groups and his experience as both an equestrian and hiker makes him an effective multi-use advocate. Morris puts in long hours on behalf of trails and trail organizations. He shows up for board meetings, agency hearings, and planning meetings and is the first one to roll up his sleeves and volunteer for assignments.
Thank you, Morris, for all of your hard work to care for and expand trails throughout California!
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