Every Wednesday at 9:a.m. a group of people gather in the parking lot of the Nature Conservancy office on High Street. These people are dressed in a way which might seem strange for the Block Island summertime; work gloves, work shoes, long sleeves and long trousers comprise the uniform of the day.

These are members of the Trail Crew, the volunteers whose primary summer activity for The Nature Conservancy is to help clear and maintain the 28-plus miles of island hiking trails.

A significant portion of these trails have been donated by private landowners to the island's three conservation groups: the Block Island Conservancy; the Block Island Land Trust and The Nature Conservancy. As part of the cooperative nature of the local conservation partnership, The Nature Conservancy staff coordinates the trail work that needs to be done. The other groups pay a share of expenses.

While theirs is serious work, the usual first order of business for the crew is not so serious. They climb into a number of vehicles, and repair to the Bagel Shop for a half-hour of coffee and conversation. Topics may include world, national, and local issues, and, just possibly, a bit of island gossip.

An initial impression one might have is that this is a work crew without a real boss. Decisions as to what work will take place on a given day are discussed, and eventually agreed upon. A sort of group consensus seems to be involved in these decisions.

Is this pure democracy in action? Of course not. There actually is a boss, but this boss seems to operate by consensus. The boss is Adrian Mitchell.

Adrian Mitchell is an island guy. A graduate of the Block Island School, he lives now as he has his whole life (so far) on Mitchell Farm. It has been in Adrian's family for more than 200 years. Because of Adrian's generosity and vision, the picturesque Mitchell farm will remain in its unspoiled state for generations to come.

For more than 37 years prior to retirement, Adrian worked as the town highway supervisor. His involvement with the Trail Crew evolved from The Nature Conservancy's volunteer program, for which people of nearly all ages donate more than 2,000 hours of work a year.

Adrian is also a recently published author. With Chris Littlefield of the Nature Conservancy, Adrian wrote the introduction to Keith Lang's and Scott Comings' new book, "On This Island, The Block Island Trail and Nature Guide."

It was another island guy, Gene Hall, who initially cut most of the Greenway trails, and who continues to cut most of the trails on the south part of the island to keep them in great shape. Adrian is responsible for all the work on the 12 miles of trails on the Lapham property at Clay Head.

But as Gene and Adrian would be the first to tell you, keeping the miles and miles of trails in first class hiking shape is much more than any one man or machine can be expected to handle.

When Adrian came to work for The Nature Conservancy in the summer of 1998, from two to six people were showing up weekly to help maintain the trails. Glen Hall had been contracted to do everything his brother Gene couldn't get to with his big brush-cutting deck. Some Crew members, like Peter Greenman, were year-round stalwarts, absent only when off island.

Anyone is entitled to join the Crew. The oldest Crew member, in terms of service, has spent six years with the Crew. New members are welcome any time. You show up at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, and you will be put to work. If you can handle a paint brush, push a lawn mower, run a weed whacker, or handle a pair of hedge clippers, and you are not averse to hard work, the Trail Crew WANTS YOU.

Exactly which trail is worked on a given Wednesday is usually up to Adrian.

The maintenance schedule is maintained close to Adrian's heart. In a little black notebook he carries, he keeps a running account of maintenance dates on every single trail.

In this age of computers, Harvard Business School might not consider Adrian's notebook to be the most efficient way to run an army. But it works, as anyone who hikes the trails will tell you.

Working with the Trail Crew has its challenges. Ticks and poison ivy are facts of life, thus the long sleeves and long pants. Sometimes a long hike is required simply to get to the trail that needs to be worked. Good physical condition is a must.

A lot of work. A bit of fun. A great cause. And great job satisfaction. What a combination! If you think you might want to become part of Adrian's Army, call Scott Comings, Chris Littlefield or Adrian at the Conservancy (466-2129).

See you On the Trails.

ON THE TRAIL