Sawyer Certification
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s Sawyer Certification Program teaches Trail volunteers how to safely operate a chainsaw to remove downed trees and to cut materials needed for Trail projects. We offer no-cost (to the student) training courses, personal protective equipment (PPE), and reimbursement of first-aid/CPR certification costs for MATC member trail maintainers. For others, the fee is $130 without PPE and FA/CPR reimbursement.
Workshop offerings will be posted here when known. The workshops will be for both new certification and re-certification. The re-certification course will be one day only. The one-day re-certification class is for Sawyers with a current Level B certification. Since initial certification is for bucking and limbing only, we are also offering sawyers not certified for felling a one day session to learn felling techniques and get certified for that B-level skill set.
If your current certification will expire in the next twelve months, or has recently expired, we urge you to sign-up for a workshop and renew your credentials. If you have not taken advantage of this valuable training and wish to use a chainsaw on the Trail, then join us for a fun and worthwhile two days.
Personal Protective Equipment
Sawyer Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is available at no-cost from ATC only for certified Appalachian Trail sawyers with the approval of their A.T. maintaining clubs. Click the link below to complete the PPE Order Form.
If you plan to use a battery-operated chainsaw, please read this advisory on advantages, disadvantages, and considerations.
First Aid Certification
The sawyer certifications are only good with a valid CPR and First Aid certification. Please see the document below for more information on how and where to obtain those skills.
Reimbursement for FA/CPR training is available from ATC. Use the following link to request First Aid training reimbursement.
If you have an interest in either new certification or re-certification please contact:
Craig Dickstein
craig.d.dickstein@gmail.com
(207) 688-8088
150 River Mead Road, Peterborough, NH 03458
Tip Sheets for Chainsaw Techniques and Safe Sawing
These tip sheets are a good refresher on techniques and do not take the place of training or certification.
Training Announcements and Advisories
- All
- Chainsaw
Advisory to Appalachian Trail Certified Sawyers on Battery-Electric Chainsaw Use