Finding My Path: Completing Trail Guide Training with the Triangle Land Conservancy

There’s something magical about walking through the woods and feeling like you’re part of something bigger — the rustle of leaves, the chatter of birds, the quiet rhythm of footsteps on the trail. This season, I had the opportunity to turn that love of being outdoors into something even more meaningful by completing the Trail Guide Training with the Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC).

When I signed up, I knew it would be a great way to deepen my connection to nature, but I didn’t realize how much I’d learn — not just about trails and trees, but about the incredible mission behind TLC and the community of people who keep these wild spaces thriving.

Our training began with two classroom-style sessions where we dove into TLC’s conservation efforts, the history behind their preserves, and the unique ecosystems that make each one special. I was blown away by how much heart and strategy goes into protecting these landscapes — from restoring habitats for endangered species to creating places where people can simply pause and breathe.

Then came the hands-on part: two field sessions where we hit the trails with TLC staff to learn how to lead hikes safely, engage with participants, and interpret the natural world in a way that invites curiosity. Each walk was its own classroom — mosses became lessons in resilience, bird calls became stories of migration, and every tree seemed to hold a new secret waiting to be shared.

The final step of the program was our hike shadow, where we joined experienced volunteer guides to put everything into practice. Ours took place at Brumley North Nature Preserve, a sprawling woodland teeming with life. I had the joy of hiking alongside Holly and Ross, two seasoned TLC volunteers (and expert birders!) whose passion was absolutely contagious.

We hadn’t even gone a mile before the forest came alive with song. By the end of the hike, our list of sightings felt like a birder’s dream: Red-shouldered Hawk, Blue Jay, Carolina Chickadee, Carolina Wren, Yellow-bellied Cuckoo, Northern Parula, Northern Cardinal, Downy Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Summer Tanager, Nashville Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, and Black-throated Blue Warbler. Whew — what a lineup!

Each sighting felt like a small celebration, a reminder of how much wonder exists in these protected spaces.

As we wrapped up, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude — for the mentors who shared their knowledge, for the land itself, and for the opportunity to help others discover the beauty right here in the Triangle. I left the trail that day not just as a participant, but as a future guide, ready to help others fall in love with the wild places that TLC works so hard to protect.

🌿 If you haven’t experienced a TLC preserve yet, now is the perfect time. You can explore their beautiful trails, volunteer as a guide, or support their conservation mission through donations that help protect land, water, and wildlife across the Triangle. Visit www.triangleland.org to learn more about how you can get involved.

Together, we can help keep these wild spaces thriving — one trail, one tree, and one hike at a time. 🌲💚