trail crews to repair and build trails. According to one study, for every $1 invested in trails, $2.94 is returned in medical benefits from improved health. Land acquisition and preservation On May 31, 2011 the Times Herald-Record reported by Stephen Sacco that the New York - New Jersey Trail Conference had helped expand the Huckleberry Ridge State Forest in Orange County, New York by transferring 389 acres from the New York - New Jersey Trail Conference holdings to the State of New York. The Huckleberry Ridge State Forest grew to 1500 acres with the acres purchased from the Trail Conference. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation paid $1.55 million for the land purchase from the New York - New Jersey Trail Conference, the Times Herald-Record reports. Stephen Sacco goes on to report that throughout New York and New Jersey, the New York - New Jersey Trail Conference has managed to preserve 2400 acres through direct land purchases in the past 10 years. Protecting the 43 mile long Shawangunk Ridge Trail has been a priority for the New York - New Jersey Trail Conference and other conservation groups including Open Space Institute, The Nature Conservancy, and the Orange County Land Trust was also reported by the Times Herald-Record. The Trail Conference has been active in open space preservation in its region since its earliest days, including the efforts that led to the preservation of Storm King Mountain, now Storm King State Park. In that project, the Trail Conference joined with The Nature Conservancy to found the Scenic Hudson Preservation Committee, which eventually became known and established as Scenic Hudson, and which continues to protect land today. The Trail Conference also led the effort to preserve Sterling Forest in New York and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area on the border of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Associations The Trail Conference participates in, or attends in an advisory or information gathering capacity, a number of governmental, quasi-governmental, or not-for-profit agencies, including: Adirondack Mountain Club Appalachian Trail Conservancy Catskill Mountain 3500 Club Darlington Schoolhouse Green Mountain Club Highlands Coalition National Park Service Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife New Jersey State Trails Council New York State Department of Environmental Conservation New York State Trails Council New York State Office of Parks,