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. Download and complete the PPE Order From below – follow the instructions for returning the form and credentials.

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