Volunteer Spotlight
AUGUST “GUS” ZUPKA
For Gus, volunteering with CFPA is about more than the trails and stewardship, it’s about the people. Since joining CFPA in 2021, he has become an invaluable member of our volunteer community. After retiring from his career as a Project Manager, he found new ways to stay active and give back to the trails and land he loves.
With 388 lifetime hours so far, Gus has become a familiar face across many of our programs and properties. He started out helping with our trails inventory survey and later became a Land Steward for the Glenny and Wyman Easements. He is also a Trail Manager and maintains a section of the Nehantic Trail and regularly pitches in at work parties. Gus is also graduating from our 2025–26 Master Woodland Manager cohort later this month.
When he’s not volunteering, Gus enjoys spending time with family, especially watching his grandsons compete in their favorite sports. He’s also taken up fly fishing, and, as an avid hiker, is making a point of exploring some of our other trails. Adventure has become a hallmark of his retirement years. In recent summers, Gus has traveled across the country, exploring Alaska, tracing the historic Route 66 and Lincoln Highway, and through Montana following the path of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.
We’re so grateful for the journey that led him to our door. His energy, dedication, and work ethic make him a wonderful asset to CFPA. It is volunteers like Gus who help make our organization and our trail community stronger every day.
Teralyn has your Rich’s Ice Cream gift certificate waiting for you at HQ!
Thank you to Rich Farm Ice Cream for generously donating gift certificates for our volunteers. Your support is a thoughtful way to recognize the time and care they give and celebrate the people who make this work possible.