We invite you to choose from more than 60 concurrent
educational sessions covering a wide range of topics and offering
expertise from around North America and beyond. Many sessions
highlight case studies where large-scale connections across the
landscape have come together successfully. Others focus on
providing the most up-to-date information in critical topic areas
such as funding, policy, design, and health. All are 75 minutes in
length and are being held throughout the conference center. See
biographies of speakers and program
presenters.
Field trips and mobile
workshops are available on Saturday, Sunday, and
Tuesday. Other educational sessions include
Pre- and Post-Conference Programs and
Universal Trail Assessment
Training sessions as well as
Poster Sessions.
Monday, November 11 -- Time: 8:00
a.m. - 9:15 a.m.
SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS INITIATIVE
- Fiesta 7 & 8
- This session will describe the history of a unique regional
planning effort &endash; the Southern Appalachians Initiative.
This initiative is a public/private partnership focused on
creation of a network of hiking trails and sustainable hiking
trail organizations throughout the Southern Appalachians.
Participants will learn more about the history of the
Initiative, the partners supporting the Initiative, the unique
partnerships that have developed through the Initiative and
upcoming actions for implementing this regional vision. The
partnership includes federal agencies (USDA Forest Service and
National Park Service), national nonprofit organizations
(American Hiking Society), and a litany of local hiking trail
organizations.
- Moderator: Alison Bullock, Outdoor Recreation Planner,
National Park Service, Rivers & Trails Program
- Speakers: Chris Abbett, Program Manager, National Park
Service, Rivers & Trails Program; Mary Margaret Sloan,
President, American Hiking Society; Arleen Scheller, Resource
Manager, Cumberland Trail Conference; Deborah Stewart-Kent,
President, Florida Trail Association
GREENWAYS PARTNERSHIPS FOR PLANNING
- Cancun
- Useful project development lessons will be derived from
three distinct greenway projects. Learn about: the complexities
of forming a multi-faceted alliance across many distinctive
regions and landscapes as experienced on Pennsylvania's
"Millennium Legacy Trail"- the Pittsburgh-to-Harrisburg
Mainline Canal Greenway; the Chattahoochee River Greenway
Planning and Implementation Handbook and how it achieved a
unifying vision for the Chattahoochee River Greenway in
Georgia; and how partnerships and fundraising were addressed on
the Sand Creek Regional Greenway in Colorado.
- Moderator: Sam Stokes, Chief, National Park Service,
Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program
- Speakers: Dan Pryor, Project Coordinator for the
Pittsburgh-to-Harrisburg Mainline Canal, Allegheny Ridge
Corporation; Amy Pulver, Executive Director, Sand Creek
Regional Greenway Partnership; Liz Cole, Director of Greenways
and Open Space, Jordan, Jones & Goulding; Christine
Magnarella Ray, Project Manager, Jordan, Jones & Goulding
WAYFINDING: THE USER EXPERIENCE
- Durango 2
- Practical versus aesthetic signage for trail systems: How
to balance beauty and practicality, considering cost,
longevity, ease of replacement, aesthetic characteristics,
historic perspective, green procurement, sustainability, and
maintenance. Session participants will learn about various
trail sign materials and techniques that have worked and not
worked for experts in the front and backcountry of National
Parks as well as wilderness areas. Representatives will touch
on trail sign placement, messaging, corrective action, too
much/not enough information and visibility. Concerns include
types, design, size, sustainability, appearance, maintenance,
and user safety.
- Speakers: Ralph Bell, Sign Shop Supervisor, Mt. Rainier
National Park; Bob Trescott, Marketing Director, Guidance
Pathway Systems; Don Sharlow, Trail Supervisor, Big Bend
National Park
STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR HEALTHY ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT
- Fiesta 1 & 2
- Robert C. Harris, CAE will teach the key elements of
nonprofit management: strategic planning and performance
indicators. Bob takes a realistic approach to strategic
planning by analyzing resources and the operating environment,
then helping to set action steps, committee assignments, and
urging accountability and deadlines. How many plans have you
seen collecting dust on the shelf? His approach makes certain
your plan is turned into achievements. The performance
indicators identify issues that affect budgeting and management
and should be checked regularly to compare organizational
growth and achievements.
- Speaker: Robert C. Harris, CAE, NonProfit Resource Center
DO YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TOOLS?
- Yucatan 3
- This session will introduce the National Park Service's
brand new Community Tool Box. These 48 techniques have been
found by the Park Service's Rivers & Trails Program to be
effective in a variety of community projects. Presenters will
demonstrate the benefits of selecting tools strategically for
successful results. Individuals and groups will find the Tool
Box essential for developing a comprehensive public involvement
strategy and for learning how to use each technique. Each
attendee will receive one tool and have the opportunity to
order the entire Tool Box.
- Moderator: Evelyn Swimmer, Landscape Architect, National
Park Service, Rivers & Trails Program
- Speakers: Evelyn Swimmer, Landscape Architect, National
Park Service, Rivers & Trails Program; Dave Lange, Planner,
National Park Service, Rivers & Trails Program; Helen
Mahan, Community Planner, National Park Service, Rivers and
Trails Program
POWERFUL PARTNERS: CO-LOCATION WITH UTILITIES
- El Paso 1 & 2
- Powerful partnerships can be created through careful
coordination and collaboration between state and local level
agencies and utility companies. Innovative approaches to trail
planning and design will be presented by discussing the
placement of utilities within trail corridors and the placement
of trails within utility corridors. This session will highlight
two case studies of the co-location of multi-use recreational
trails with different types of utilities. Planners and
engineers will discuss the knowledge gained through their
experiences with the Fred E. Marquis Pinellas Trail in Pinellas
County, Florida and the Monon Trail in Indianapolis, Indiana.
- Speakers: Brian Smith, Director of Planning, Pinellas
County, FL; Lenor McLean, Project Engineer and Project Manager,
Vanasse Hangen Brustlin; Ray R. Irvin, Administrator, Indy
Parks Greenways
OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE EDUCATION AND ETHICS
- Fiesta 3 & 4
- This session will present case studies from Montana and
Colorado of techniques for using the media, local publications
and videos, educational tools, and personal behavior motivation
to get users to develop a more active role in stewardship of
public lands. The techniques learned can be used for other
areas and for other types of trail systems. The session will
also present information gained from working with private
organizations to improve user behavior and overall management
of outdoor ethics.
- Moderator: Jim Miller, Dispersed Recreation Program
Manager, USDA Forest Service
- Speakers: John Favro, Regional Trails Coordinator, USDA
Forest Service; Jack Placchi, Travel Management Coordinator,
Bureau of Land Management; Emily McAllister, Education and
Program Specialist, Tread Lightly!, Inc.
PARTNERING TO FULFILL VOLUNTEER NEEDS
- Baja
- Land management agencies and organizations nationwide
continue to experience reduced budgets and limited staffing,
making it increasingly difficult to accomplish natural and
cultural resource projects and to provide needed safety and
security on public land. More and more, agencies are turning
toward a volunteer pool to meet the community needs. This
session will explore how three different groups have
accomplished great volunteer successes through building solid
partnerships nationwide and within their communities.
- Speakers: Liz Smith-Incer, Nevada Field Office Coordinator,
National Park Service, Rivers, Trails & Conservation
Assistance Program; Jerry Cumings, Park Supervisor, Pinellas
County Trail, FL; Ray Auger, Director, Student Conservation
Association
NEIGHBORHOOD CONNECTIONS: TRAILS AND GREENWAYS FOR SAFEWAYS
TO SCHOOLS
- Acapulco
- This presentation will discuss the use of trail connections
and greenway systems for connecting neighborhoods to schools,
parks and activity destinations. Urban trail systems have the
potential to create safe paths for school children as well as
other citizens who prefer to use pathways and trails, separated
from the roadway for both transportation and recreation
purposes. The trail connections have great potential to impact
America's problems with traffic congestion, air pollution,
school transportation budgets, and most importantly the health
state of our children and seniors.
- Moderator: Ken Bryan, Director, Florida Field Office,
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
- Speaker: Dr. Linda Crider, Florida Traffic & Bicycle
Safety Education Program
Monday, November 11 -- Time: 9:45
a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
TRAIL MIX: A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
- El Paso 1 & 2
- Creating a successful regional trails planning group
ensures that local efforts are coordinated, that trails connect
regionally and that a forum for learning and support is in
place. Six central Florida counties will discuss common issues
they face concerning trails planning, design, funding and
implementation. Attendees will take home information regarding
best practices including: a GIS-based master plan, summaries of
winning joint grant efforts, trails referendums/penny sales tax
efforts, sample scopes of service, sample ordinances and
typical design, construction and maintenance costs. Note:
Several projects to be discussed are also sites for symposium
field trips and mobile workshops.
- Moderator: Jenifer Domerchie, Regional Planner/Project
Manager, East Central Florida Regional Planning Council
- Speakers: Barbara Meyer, Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator,
Office of Transportation Planning/MPO, Brevard County; Rich
Dunkel, President, Trail Friends, Inc. (Lake County); Bill
Thomas, Senior Planner, Orange County Parks and Recreation;
Eleanor Foereste, Natural Resources Agent, University of
Florida, Osceola County Extension; Ginger Hoke, Project
Manager, TEI Engineers and Planners (Seminole County); Jean
Parlow, Planner, Volusia County Leisure Services
LINKING LANDSCAPES ACROSS BORDERS: CANADA, MEXICO, CENTRAL
AMERICA AND THE UNITED STATES
- Fiesta 1 & 2
- Trail managers frequently face the complexities of crossing
boundaries and differing jurisdictions as they implement their
plans and projects. But what if your trail crossed the border
of eight countries or was over 10,000 miles long? In this
session, step back and take a landscape look at the Western
Hemisphere, and discover enormous trail projects across Canada,
Mexico and Central America. Three speakers will offer their
wisdom, covering the coast-to-coast Trans Canada Trail and
National Trail, the development of a Mesoamerican trail
network, and the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (Royal Road
of the Interior) across the U.S. and Mexico.
- Moderator: Deb Salt, National Trails Coordinator, Bureau of
Land Management
- Speakers: Terry Norman, President, Canadian Trails
Federation; Linda Mick-O'Hara, Associate Director of El Camino
Real International Heritage Center, Bureau of Land Management;
James Barborak, Protected Area Specialist, Wildlife
Conservation Society
BUILDING BETTER TRAILS WITH THE INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN
BICYCLING ASSOCIATION (IMBA)
- Fiesta 7 & 8
- Since 1997 the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew program has been
advancing the science and art of sustainable trail building and
mountain bike management. Join IMBA's Mark Schmidt and Lora
Woolner for a dynamic, fun-filled and informative program.
Topics include cutting-edge trail design, mountain bike
management, and information on IMBA programs and grassroots
network. This indoor session is a condensed version of IMBA's
all-day mobile workshop to be held on Tuesday, November 12.
Participants seeking in-depth trail building info are
encouraged to attend the all-day workshop.
- Speakers: Mark Schmidt, Leader, Subaru/IMBA Trail Care
Crew; Lora Woolner, Leader, Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew
TRANSCENDING BOUNDARIES TO ENHANCE TRAIL ACCESS FOR PEOPLE
OF ALL ABILITIES
- Acapulco
- The Universal Trail Assessment Process (UTAP) has been used
since 1995 to collect objective, reliable information about the
conditions on trails and paths in outdoor environments. Land
managers use the information for project planning and
maintenance, as well as to disseminate information about trail
conditions to users. Participants will learn about enhancing
access to trails through the use of the UTAP and Trail
Explorer, and how management agencies across the nation are
using the assessment process and information. Land managers
will also learn how to identify the highest assessment
priorities amongst trails they manage.
- Moderator: Kathleen Mispagel, Trails Coordinator,
Beneficial Designs, Inc.
- Speakers: Peter Axelson, Director of Research &
Development, Beneficial Designs, Inc.; Patricia Longmuir, PEL
Consulting; Kathleen Mispagel, Trails Coordinator, Beneficial
Designs, Inc.
WATER TRAILS FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM: GUIDING PRINCIPLES
- Yucatan 3
- This presentation will provide a survey of water trail
development throughout North America. Highlighted cases will
show where North American Water Trails, Inc's. (NAWT) Eight
Guiding Principles have been used successfully as a model for
water trail creation, development and management. The
presentation will demonstrate that water trails can be
developed on all types of waterways in public-private
partnerships between volunteer organizations and local and
state governments. The presentation will also provide attendees
with sources of funding and technical assistance for water
trail development. The session will be presented by NAWT
experts from the United States and Canada.
- Moderator: Al Staats, Executive Director, North American
Water Trails, Inc.
- Speakers: Brian Grimsey, Canadian Heritage Rivers
Secretariat, Department of Canadian Heritage, Parks Canada;
Andy Knapp, President, Lake Superior Water Trail Association of
MN; David Brickley, Director (retired), Virginia Department of
Conservation and Recreation
THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION'S RECREATIONAL TRAILS
PROGRAM
- Baja
- This session will explain how the Federal Highway
Administration's Recreational Trails Program (RTP) benefits a
variety of trails. The session will include information on
project eligibility, who to contact to apply for funds, and
what kind of require-ments to expect.
- Speakers: Christopher B. Douwes, Recreational Trails
Program Manager, FHWA; Kim Raap, Program Manager, Wyoming State
Trails; Jennifer Althaus, Associate Director, Colorado Youth
Corps
PROMOTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTH THROUGH TRAILS AND
PARKS
- Durango 2
- This presentation will discuss the health benefits of
trails and parks, including the scientific evidence that
increasing access to places for physical activity increases the
physical activity levels in a community. The presentation will
discuss recent collaborations between public health and land
management agencies, with emphasis on the recent Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) included in the President's Healthier US
initiative. This MOU with numerous agencies will promote the
use of public lands to enhance physical and psychological
health. The presentation will also provide examples and lessons
learned from collaborations between public health agencies and
parks and recreation at the state and local level.
- Moderator: David Buchner, MD, MPH, Chief, Physical Activity
and Health Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Speakers: David Buchner, MD, MPH, Chief, Physical Activity
and Health Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
Alexandra Stone, Outdoor Recreation Planner, National Park
Service, Rivers & Trails Program
FOCUSING ADVOCACY EFFORTS ON TRAIL IMPLEMENTATION: A
STRATEGIC APPROACH DIRECTED TOWARD PLANNING OFFICIALS AND OTHER
KEY DECISION MAKERS
- Fiesta 3 & 4
- In order to implement a trail system successfully, greenway
advocates must target not only the general public, but key
decision-makers and stakeholders &endash; those directing
capital improvement programs. This session focuses on effective
implementation strategies directed toward project inclusion in
local/state planning documents and capital programs. Successful
methods of developing advocacy messages that most effectively
support capital funding policies will be discussed. Through
case studies, trail advocates will learn strategies to
integrate their project into long-range plans through such
actions as council resolutions, board actions, and adoption in
metropolitan planning organization and state DOT planning
documents.
- Moderator: Bill Lane, Landscape Architect, National Park
Service, Rivers & Trails Program
- Speakers: Bobbi Britton, East Coast Greenway Delaware
Trustee; James Gardner, Director, Jasper County Parks &
Recreation, South Carolina; Jo Hickson, Greenway
Planner,Coastal Georgia Center for Sustainable Development;
David S. Hunt, Senior Planner, Manager, Transportation and
Planning Services, Vollmer Associates LLP
PARK GUIDELINES FOR OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES
- Cancun
- The importance of community-inclusive planning and
partnerships in order to meet diverse outdoor recreation needs
while addressing social and environmental concerns is the focus
of this session. The presenters will encourage participants to
"think outside the box" during this presentation on planning,
development and management of off-highway vehicle recreation
areas.
- Moderator: Alexandra Weiss, Greenways and Trails
Consultant, Florida Department of Environmental Protection,
Office of Greenways & Trails
- Speakers: Dana Bell, Project Coordinator, National
Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council; Jimmy Parrish,
President, TNT Motorsports Park; George Fogg, Landscape
Architect; Adam Mattis, Coordinator, Project Ridge RIDER
Monday, November 11 -- Time: 2:00
p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
A FOOTPATH FOREVER: FLORIDA'S NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
- El Paso 1 & 2
- When completed the Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST)
will extend 1,300 miles from the Everglades in south Florida to
the Gulf Islands National Seashore in the west Florida
Panhandle. It will cross 34 counties and multiple state and
federal lands carrying the hiker through wilderness, rural
landscapes and urban communities. The engine of this grand
initiative is powered by the vision of the Florida Trail
Association and its partner, the USDA Forest Service. Realistic
challenge or an impossible dream? Come take a virtual hike on
the Florida Trail and hear from experts and advocates for the
trail.
- Speakers: Deborah Stewart-Kent, President, Florida Trail
Association; Howard Pardue, FNST Acquisition Coordinator,
Florida Trail Association; Kent Wimmer, Florida National Scenic
Trail Liaison, Florida Trail Association; David Rohe, Trail
Construction Coordinator, Florida Trail Association; Kyle
Jones, Realty Specialist; USDA Forest Service
HOW TO BUILD A REGIONAL GREENWAY NETWORK (PART I)
- Durango 2
- As the greenway movement enters its fourth decade, many
metropolitan areas are creating region-wide integrated systems.
These networks include trails, waterways, floodplains,
ridgelines, open spaces, and wildlife corridors. This workshop
will address the process of making regional greenway systems
happen including visioning, constituency and partnership
building, design, policy making, financing, implementation and
maintenance. Using case studies, the presenters will
demonstrate how pioneer efforts have succeeded and discuss the
"nuts and bolts" of regional greenway planning and development.
Learn about models of regional greenway leadership and
governance and about "the virus" model&emdash;how to make a
greenway system grow through replication.
- Moderator: Charles A. Flink, ASLA, President, Greenways
Incorporated
- Speakers: Jeff Olson, AIA, Owner, Trailblazer; Robert
Searns, AICP, Owner, Urban Edges, Inc.
THE ROLE OF WORKING LANDSCAPES
- Yucatan 3
- As the competition for land increases, communities are
strategizing on how to protect their remaining open land.
Participants will learn the most effective ways to protect land
that is actively used for farming, forestry and ranching, as
well as how to tap into the $1 billion allocation for land
protection that is included in the new Farm Bill. American
Farmland Trust will describe the pros and cons of techniques
such as purchase of development rights, agricultural districts
and agricultural zoning. Case studies will demonstrate how
communities are using these techniques successfully, and a
farmer will describe his role in preserving working landscapes.
- Moderator: Heather Pence, Regional Greenways and Trails
Consultant, Florida Department of Environmental Protection,
Office of Greenways & Trails
- Speakers: Jill Schwartz, Director of Marketing, American
Farmland Trust; Tunis Sweetman, Jr., Farmer, Orange County, New
York
CRACKING THE TEA-3 PIGGY BANK
- Cancun
- The federal transportation reauthorization will provide a
unique opportunity to fund trail projects and
bicycle/pedestrian systems. As reauthorization approaches,
leaders need to be first in line for congressional
appropriations. This funding opportunity is important for those
projects that are sizeable in scope and cost, but is very
competitive. This session will provide an understanding of the
federal legislative process; offer techniques and strategies
for lobbying Congress; give tips on communicating with your
constituency and building support for your project. Learn how
to navigate the practical and political paths necessary to
"bring home the bacon" to your community.
- Moderator/Speaker: Marianne Fowler, Senior Vice-President,
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
- Speaker: Jeffrey Ciabotti, Trail Development Director,
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
CONNECTING COMMUNITIES THROUGH RIVER INITIATIVES
- Fiesta 1 & 2
- The Suwannee River Water Management District and the
Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of
Recreation and Parks, are developing the Suwannee River
Wilderness Trail, a system of public and private recreation and
visitor service sites that will allow visitors to explore the
area by canoe, boat, bicycle, horseback, or on foot. On the St.
Johns River, one of 14 national American Heritage Rivers, a
community partnership has developed an action plan to market
the St. Johns Eco-Heritage Corridor to tourists and Florida
residents. This session will compare and contrast these two
river initiatives.
- Moderator: Anne Keller, St. Johns River Navigator,
Environmental Protection Agency
- Speakers: Edwin McCook, Public Use Coordinator, Suwannee
River Water Management District; Mark Gluckman, Development
Advisory Services, Inc.; Lew Scruggs, Planning Manager, Florida
State Park System; Anne Keller, St. Johns River Navigator,
Environmental Protection Agency; Deena Wells, Florida
Department of Environmental Protection
CREATING AND MAINTAINING ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS
- Baja
- Tremendous work is involved with gathering people together
to support a cause. It is just as hard maintaining citizen
involvement once the original goal is reached. This session
will review ideas that everyone can use to create advocacy
groups that start out effective and continue to be involved
into the future. We will review proven practical steps, but
also innovative or out-of-the-ordinary ideas used to create and
maintain exciting and effective groups like the Bicycle
Advisory Committee of Pinellas County, Florida and Trails
Riders of DuPage County, Illinois.
- Moderator: Mary Hanson, Outdoor Recreation Planner,
National Park Service
- Speakers: Kandee Haertel, Executive Director, Equestrian
Land Conservation Resource; Brian Smith, Director of Planning,
Pinellas County; Scott Daniels, President, Pinellas Trails,
Inc.; Mary Hanson, Outdoor Recreation Planner, National Park
Service
PACK, SADDLE AND DRAFT STOCK: THEIR USE IN THE DESIGN,
CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF WILDERNESS TRAILS
- Fiesta 3 & 4
- Pack and saddle stock have been critical in the design,
construction, and maintenance of trails on USDA Forest Service
lands. Stock use can be very cost effective and provide a tool
to construct and maintain trails with non-mechanized methods.
This session will look at the historical perspective of stock
use and how it is used as a minimum tool to construct trails,
especially in congressionally designated wilderness areas. We
will then focus on a specific trail construction project within
the Charles C. Deam Wilderness, Indiana's only congressionally
designated wilderness area.
- Speakers: Eric Sandeno, Outdoor Recreation Planner, USDA
Forest Service, Hoosier National Forest; Rod Fahl, Lead
Wilderness Ranger/Packer, USDA Forest Service, Hoosier National
Forest; Steven J. Didier, Vice Chairman, Back Country Horsemen
of America
NATIONAL RECREATION TRAILS AND STATE TRAIL SYSTEMS:
RECOGNITION FOR YOUR TRAILS!
- Acapulco
- This session will provide an overview of designation
programs at both the state and federal level. Presenters will
focus on the growing success of the National Recreation Trail
(NRT) program, the importance of state trail system recognition
programs, and the benefits gained from the National Millennium
Trails Program. Come learn more about the array of benefits
your trail(s) could receive!
- Moderator: Cherri Espersen, Outdoor Recreation Planner,
National Park Service, Rivers, Trails & Conservation
Assistance Program
- Speakers: Rory Robinson, Indiana Projects Director,
National Park Service, Rivers, Trails & Conservation
Assistance Program; Stuart Macdonald, Chair, National
Association of State Trail Administrators; Alexandra H. Weiss,
Community Assistance Consultant, Florida Department of
Environmental Protection, Office of Greenways & Trails
TRAIL MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE: TRAIL SOFT & TRAILWARE
- Fiesta 7 & 8
- Come learn how two great software packages can meet your
needs for managing trail data. Trail Soft is a trail and club
management software that will greatly enhance your ability to
maintain descriptive information about trails, routes, use
areas, and skill areas, as well as to keep track of
organizations, agencies, and their leadership and membership
information. TrailWare is software that can be used by land
managers to monitor environmental impact, identify access
barriers, ensure compliance with design guidelines, budget and
plan maintenance activities, and create reports that can be
used for signage.
- Moderator: Kathleen Mispagel, Trails Coordinator,
Beneficial Designs, Inc.
- Speakers: Peter Axelson, Director of Research &
Development, Beneficial Designs, Inc.; Steve Gunderson, Trail
Soft, Inc.; Kathleen Mispagel, Trails Coordinator, Beneficial
Designs, Inc.
Monday, November 11 -- Time: 3:45
p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
SATISFYING DEMAND AND MAKING TRAILS WORK IN THE UNITED
KINGDOM
- Yucatan 3
- Trail users can expect to find a problem which makes a path
either difficult to find, follow or use every mile in the UK
despite legal obligations on managers to improve conditions and
the demand from the public who continue to rank walking as
their most popular leisure activity. So what tools are there to
raise political interest, encourage investment and ensure
trails are built, promoted, used and enjoyed? This session will
identify the core values for marketing trails to the public and
politicians and will highlight some current UK projects where
trails are selling and the people are buying.
- Speaker: Jim Walker, Director, Open Gate Trail Consultants,
Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
TRAIL SURVEYS: FINDING OUT TRAIL BENEFITS AND PROBLEMS
- Fiesta 1 & 2
- This session will review recent surveys of trail users as
well as residents near trails. Learn how information can best
be gathered and what can be learned; how surveys are written
and implemented; how to approach residents, businesses, and
others along trail corridors; and how to interpret the data.
Findings from recent surveys and conclusions about trail use
and impacts on adjacent land uses will also be discussed.
- Moderator: Stuart Macdonald, Chair, National Association of
State Trail Administrators
- Speakers: Ray Irvin, Administrator, Indy Parks Greenways.
BACKCOUNTRY: THE RIGHT DESIGNATION
- Acapulco
- This session will discuss whether a federal land use
designation of backcountry is needed to protect our natural
resources but still allow a broad range of recreational trail
uses. Presentations will represent a broad spectrum of opinion
on this current issue.
- Moderator: Jim Miller, Dispersed Recreation Program
Manager, USDA Forest Service
- Speakers: Tom Crimmins, trails consultant; Geraldine Bower,
Forest Planning Specialist, USDA Forest Service, Washington,
DC; Mary Margaret Sloan, President, American Hiking Society
FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION REAUTHORIZATION
- Baja
- This session will explain the process of federal surface
transportation reauthorization and how it can affect trails.
The session will include information on how the process works,
what the issues are, and what you need to know to be involved.
A Federal Highway Administration representative will present
the overall process from the federal government's viewpoint. A
bicycle and pedestrian advocate will present the process and
issues for pedestrians and bicyclists. A State Trail
Administrator will explain what state resource agencies expect.
- Moderator: Christopher B. Douwes, Recreational Trails
Program Manager, Federal Highway Administration
- Speakers: Christopher B. Douwes, Recreational Trails
Program Manager, Federal Highway Administration; Andy Clarke,
Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals; Dick
Westfall, Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
INCENTIVE PROGRAMS FOR TRAIL USERS
- Fiesta 7 & 8
- Trails provide fun, physical fitness, and stress relief in
a non-competitive arena. Though the benefits are many, it's
sometimes hard to find the time or motivation to get off the
couch and on a trail. This session will use living history,
story telling, audience participation, a Powerpoint
presentation and a video to explain how the American Volkssport
Association's Achievement Awards and the Florida Division of
Forestry's Trailwalker Program provide incentives for users to
hit the trails.
- Speakers: John Waldron, Forest Recreation Coordinator,
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; Marvin
Stokes, President, Florida Volkssport Association; Mike
Lanpher, Trailmaster, Mid Florida Milers Walking Club
EQUINE IMPACTS ON PUBLIC LANDSÉFACT OR FICTION?
- Fiesta 3
- What are land managers' primary concerns regarding
equestrian use of public lands? What are the most frequent
equestrian user impacts occurring on public lands? This panel
session will present the results of an informal survey of our
public lands agencies' national recreational trails program
leaders' answers to these questions, and more. Facilitated
group discussions and presentations will focus on national
equestrian environmental education programs and research
studies to establish the facts, and at the same time, dispel
the fiction. Results of the Equestrian Trail User Workshop held
on Sunday, November 10, 2002, will also be presented at this
session.
- Moderator: Mylon Filkins, DVM, Chair, Recreation Advisory
Committee, The American Horse Council
- Workshop Results Speakers: Candace Bourne, War Eagle Trail
Association; Linda Conway Duever, Conway Conservation, Inc.;
Jan Hancock, American Trails
SUCCESSFUL MULTI-USE PARTNERSHIPS
- Cancun
- Come learn how managers and users from different
recreational user groups have successfully overcome the
conflicts encountered on trails. Hear how the partnerships
between hiking, bicycling and equestrian groups have been used
to develop, upgrade and maintain multi-use trails. This session
will provide the ultimate advice on dealing with user group
differences based on first-hand experience.
- Moderator: Brian Bourne, USDA Forest Service
- Speakers: Brian Bourne, USDA Forest Service; Morgan
Sommerville, Appalachian Trail Conference; David Dionne, Anne
Arundel County Trails; Mark Schmidt, International Mountain
Biking Association.
GPS and GIS TO SUPPORT TRAILS PLANNING: THE CROSS FLORIDA
GREENWAY MANAGEMENT PLAN PROJECT
- El Paso 1 & 2
- The Florida Office of Greenways & Trails is working
with the University of Florida to develop a comprehensive
management plan for the 110-mile long Marjorie Harris Carr
Cross Florida Greenway (CFG). Among the important steps
supporting the planning effort is a complete inventory of
existing trails using the latest in global positioning systems
(GPS). The planning team is also using geographical information
systems (GIS) to explore the issues of environmental
sensitivity and its relation to recreation planning. This
session will review the cutting-edge technical methods being
used by the planning team to provide the CFG with a long-term
management strategy.
- Speakers: Christopher Stoll, University of Florida; Karen
Whitney, University of Florida
HOW TO BUILD A REGIONAL GREENWAY NETWORK (PART II): A
GREENWAY FOR DISNEY WORLD&emdash;A GOOFY IDEA?
- Durango 2
- What if one of the rides at Disney World was a real live
greenway trail? What if you could walk, bike, or rollerblade
through the Disney Park and Resort complex? Here is your chance
to dream the dream! Could this idea work? Facilitated by local
and national greenway and trail planning experts, help create a
trail and greenway plan for Disney World. This will be a
hands-on working session with open mikes and lots of markers
and maps. It's a fantasy plan and what a better place to write
one. Who knows, Mickey and Donald might show up and take notes!
- Moderator: Robert Searns, Greenway Developer, Urban Edges,
Inc.
- Speakers: Chuck Flink, President, Greenways, Inc.; Jeff
Olson, President, Trailblazer, Inc.; Bill Neumann, Vice
President, DHM Design Corporation; Mighk Wilson, Bicycle and
Pedestrian Planner, MetroPlan Orlando
YOUTH CORPS: CROSSING INTO THE NEXT TRAIL GENERATION
- Fiesta 4
- How can the trail world effectively build, design and
maintain trails, while cultivating the next generation of trail
stewards? The answer is simpler than you think: youth corps.
This session will explore youth corps: what they do, how they
do it, and why they are such a good thing for the community,
today's youth, and tomorrow's trails. Presentations and
discussion will focus primarily on recent developments in the
longstanding relationship between youth corps and trails.
- Moderator: Jennifer Althaus, Associate Director, Colorado
Youth Corps Association
- Speakers: Jennifer Althaus, Associate Director, Colorado
Youth Corps Association; Bruce Ward, Co-Executive Director of
the Continental Divide Trail Alliance (CDTA); Bartolome Colom,
Executive Director, Florida Youth Conservation Corps; Ted
Howell, Program Director, Western Colorado Youth Corps
Tuesday, November 12 -- Time:
10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
BUILDING TRAILS IN DIFFICULT PLACES
- Acapulco
- In building your trail do you have to deal with a floodway?
Steep canyon? Wetland? Oil refinery? Contaminated area? Other
tight spots? Then this is the session for you. Hear seasoned
planners, landscape architects and designers talk about how
they built first class trails between rocks and hard places.
See examples, before and after photos of award-winning
projects, innovative structural systems and designs. Discuss
political, administrative and ecological aspects of how to make
headway through very tough terrain.
- Moderator: Robert Searns, Greenway Developer, Urban Edges,
Inc.
- Speakers: Tom Acre, Parks, Trails and Open Space Planner,
Commerce City, CO; Rich Gagliano, Pin Foundations, Inc.; John
McCarty, Otak, Inc.; Bill Neumann, Vice President DHM Design
Corporation
AID IN ACQUISITION: PARTNERING WITH ORGANIZATIONS AND
FUNDING AGENCIES
- Yucatan 2
- The Trust for Public Land (TPL), The Nature Conservancy
(TNC), the National Park Service (NPS) and the Florida
Communities Trust (FCT) will each present case studies and
tools used in the acquisition process to help communities
preserve their open spaces and connect trails offering passive
recreation and protection benefits. FCT is allocated $66
million annually to provide grants to local governments to
acquire conservation, open space and outdoor recreational
lands. Since 1951, TNC has protected more than 92 million acres
around the world. TPL is celebrating 30 years of conserving 1.4
million acres.
- Moderator: Jaime Doubek-Racine, Outdoor Recreation Planner,
National Park Service, Rivers & Trails Program
- Speakers: Ed Freeman, Land Protection, The Nature
Conservancy; Grant Gelhardt, Environmental Administrator,
Florida Communities Trust, Florida Department of Community
Affairs; Doug Hattaway, Trust for Public Land
INTEGRATED TRAIL MANAGEMENT
- Fiesta 3 & 4
- The Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks'
staff assigned to trail operations have developed a
comprehensive management plan for all aspects of trail
management. They have developed the Safety Manual for Linear
Parks as the core safety operations manual for their trail
operations. The manual includes sections on trail design,
facility inspection, public education and employee training,
and accident investigation. It is a model program and manual
for others to use and can easily be reproduced in other
jurisdictions.
- Moderator: Cherri Esperson, Outdoor Recreation Planner,
Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance Program, National
Park Service
- Speaker: David G. Dionne, Trails Superintendent, Anne
Arundel County Trails, Department of Recreation and Parks
COMMUNITY DESIGN CHARETTES: FROM PLANNING PARALYSIS TO
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
- Cancun
- This presentation will highlight a complex and
controversial open space planning project in Skagit County,
Washington, to inform attendees about: how one design charette
(a collaborative design workshop) assisted a community with
diverse and polarized opinions to achieve consensus on how to
develop a new regional park; how a partnership between the
National Park Service's Rivers, Trails, and Conservation
Assistance program and the American Society of Landscape
Architects (ASLA) has helped community stakeholders advance
trail and open space planning; and how to plan and organize a
community design charette/workshop.
- Moderator: Michael Linde, Team Leader, Partnership
Programs, National Park Service, Seattle
- Speakers: Patrik Dylan, Landscape Architect, Skagit County
Parks and Recreation Department;Alexandra Stone, Planner,
National Park Service, Rivers & Trails Program; Dan Miller,
Planner, National Park Service, Rivers & Trails Program
RAILS-WITH-TRAILS: LESSONS LEARNED
- Fiesta 7
- Under contract to the U. S. Department of Transportation
(Federal Railroad and Highway Administrations), Alta Planning +
Design has been analyzing the best practices in
"rail-with-trail" development and operation around the country.
The final report, completed in July 2002, encompasses almost
three years of international research, outreach, technical
analysis, and design. It involved hundreds of trail planners
and railroad officials, as well as numerous other experts. This
presentation will cover technical details related to: planning
rails-with-trails; legal and liability issues; design issues;
railroad and trail operation and maintenance; and education and
enforcement related to trail use, trespassing, and user safety.
- Speaker: Michael G. Jones, Principal, Alta Planning +
Design
FROM THE DOORSTEP: INTEGRATING TRAILS IN PLANNED
DEVELOPMENTS
- Yucatan 3
- Urban and suburban trail systems are becoming increasingly
important to support the health and recreational needs of
residential communities. Recent studies also show that many
prospective homebuyers consider the availability of trails when
choosing a neighborhood or community to call home. This session
will provide a look at integrating trails into residential
development planning. Two local government planners and a
development company representative will share their
perspectives. Attend this session to hear about the
practicalities, benefits and key issues involved with
incorporating trails in development planning.
- Moderator: Jim Wood, Special Projects Coordinator, Florida
Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Greenways
& Trails
- Speakers: Loren Pluth, Senior Park Development Planner,
Conejo Recreation & Park District; Scott Hamilton, Trails
Planner, City of Scottsdale, AZ; Mary Ellen McKibben, Project
Director, The Viera Company
PRESERVING THE EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD: THE FLORIDA KEYS
OVERSEAS HERITAGE TRAIL
- Fiesta 1 & 2
- Discover the multi-agency planning, community outreach and
funding strategies creating this 110-mile trail. Before the
moon had Miami to caress with a romantic glow, Henry Flagler
envisioned an overseas railroad transforming the Florida Keys
into a cultural and economic connection to Cuba, the Panama
Canal and South America. Construction began in 1908. Four years
and 42 bridges later, the press heralded the Overseas Railroad
as the "Eighth Wonder of the World." Now abandoned, these
historic bridges are being transformed into an innovative
addition to Florida recreation and ecotourism: the Florida Keys
Overseas Heritage Trail. Key lime pie and historic photos round
off the agenda.
- Moderator: Elizabeth Holloway, Bicycle and Pedestrian
Planner for the Florida Keys, Monroe County Growth Management
- Speakers: Wendy Spencer, Director, Florida State Parks;
Stephen Bowes, Outdoor Recreation Planner, National Park
Service, Rivers & Trails Program; Lew Scruggs, Planning
Manager, Office of Park Planning, Florida State Parks; Forest
Michael, Landscape Architect, Michael Design Associates; Debra
Stucki, Park Service Specialist, Florida State Parks
USER FEES: THE PRESENT AND POTENTIAL FOR THE FUTURE
- Yucatan 1
- This session will present the current situation of the Fee
Demonstration Project regarding what has been learned and how
the federal agencies propose to guide and develop the program
in the future. This session will also present differing
opinions concerning the implementation of a permanent user fee
system for our public lands. Constructive questions, criticism,
and agreement will be welcome during the question-and-answer
period.
- Moderator: Jim Miller, Dispersed Recreation Program
Manager, USDA Forest Service
- Speakers: Bob Ratcliffe, Deputy Group Manager, Bureau of
Land Management; Teri Cleeland, Program Leader, USDA Forest
Service; Craig Mackey, National Public Policy Liaison, Outward
Bound USA; and Jane Moore, Program Manager, National Park
Service, Recreation Fee Program
THE UNTAPPED OPPORTUNITY: USING TRAILS TO PROMOTE ACTIVE
LIVING ANDHEALTHIER COMMUNITIES
- Baja
- Evidence suggests that parks, trails, and greenspace play
an important role in promoting public health. There are
however, design features in communities that discourage
decisions to use these health-promoting facilities. This
session will provide an overview of the relationships between
health and the built and natural environments. Specific
attention will be directed toward the burden of physical
inactivity and its related outcomes such as obesity. This
session will also identify policies that support
activity-friendly communities and how trails advocates can work
with public health professionals to increase trail use and
physical activity in their communities.
- Speakers: Mark Fenton, Physical Activity Program Manager,
Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center; Keecia James,
Project Officer, Active Living by Design
Wednesday, November 13 -- Time:
9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
CROSSING BOUNDARIES AND CLOSING GAPS - NATIONAL SCENIC &
HISTORIC TRAILS
- Fiesta 7 & 8
- This session will discuss land use issues, land
acquisition, federal management and cooperation with
communities, partnerships with nonprofit organizations, and
volunteerism to protect the trail and develop and promote a
sense of trail stewardship as the trail is maintained across
physical and geographic boundaries. The session will also
discuss accomplishing work through the new concept of
government enterprise teams and Service First.
- Moderator: Jim Miller, Dispersed Recreation Program
Manager, USDA Forest Service
- Speakers: Joe Meade, Director, Recreation, Heritage, and
Wilderness, USDA Forest Service; Tim Stone, Pacific Crest Trail
Manager, USDA Forest Service; Bill Hay, Owner, T.E.A.M.S
BLUEWAYS ON THE GROUND
- Fiesta 6
- The presentation will cover how blueways/water trails
initiatives get started and implemented, particularly in the
context of public-private partnerships. Presentations will
provide an overview of the water trail movement in North
America, with attention on successful models of various water
trails around the country. Detailed case studies will highlight
Paddle Manatee, A Blueways Program in Manatee County Florida,
and the Lakes-to-Locks Water Trail project in Seattle,
Washington. The session will also focus on citizen involvement,
funding, mapping, utilizing GPS and the importance of ground
truthing routes, multi-agency coordination, permitting and use
of volunteers to make the program a success.
- Moderator: Al Staats, Executive Director, North American
Water Trails
- Speakers: Stephen Bowes, Outdoor Recreation Planner,
National Park Service, Rivers & Trails Program; John
Osborne, Principal Planner, Manatee County; Corita Jones,
Outdoor Recreation Planner, National Park Service, Rivers &
Trails Program
FLORIDA'S STATEWIDE PLAN FOR GREENWAYS AND TRAILS:
IMPLEMENTING THE VISION
- Coronado B
- This session will provide insight on how Florida developed
a statewide plan for a system of greenways and trails and how
the plan is being implemented. In addition, the discussion will
highlight the importance of the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross
Florida Greenway, a 93,242-acre recreation and conservation
corridor that stretches 110 miles from the Gulf of Mexico to
the St. Johns River. When connected to other public
conservation lands to the north and south, the Cross Florida
Greenway will be a key component of the "spine" of the
statewide system.
- Moderator: Suzanne P. Walker, Assistant Director, Florida
Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Greenways
& Trails
- Speakers: Margaret (Peggy) Carr, Associate Professor,
Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Florida;
Mickey Thomason, Manager, Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida
Greenway, Office of Greenways & Trails; Suzanne P. Walker,
Assistant Director, Florida Department of Environmental
Protection, Office of Greenways & Trails
CROSSING THE AMERICAN LANDSCAPE: UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR TRAILS
& SHARED-USE PATHS
- Coronado A
- Trails and shared use paths can be used for a variety of
purposes, including exercise, recreation, and transportation by
people of all abilities. This session will focus on identifying
the demands of the environment and the needs of the users
through the Universal Program Participation Model and
incorporating this information with design recommendations that
eliminate barriers. The elimination of barriers and using a
universal design approach will increase the usability for all
ages and abilities to enjoy the benefits of trails and shared
use paths.
- Moderator: Kathleen Mispagel, Trails Coordinator,
Beneficial Designs, Inc.
- Speakers: Michael Passo, Associate Program Director,
Wilderness Inquiry; Peter Axelson, Director of Research &
Development, Beneficial Designs, Inc.
HYBRID CONTRACTING: ALTERNATIVE PARTNERING APPROACHES USING
THE EXPERTISE OF TRAIL CONTRACTORS IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER
RESOURCES
- El Paso 1 & 2
- Two "hybrid contractors" and a Redding city planner will
explore a number of options for designing and building trails
using the expertise of contractors in conjunction with in-house
crews, conservation corps workers, volunteer organizations,
agencies, etc. We will share, through example, some proven ways
to get the best and most cost-effective product on the ground
by innovatively combining these various resources. There will
also be a few horror stories of poorly conceived projects.
- Speakers: Roger Bell, Trail Contractor, Bellfree
Contractors, Inc.; Peter S. Jensen, Trail Designer/Builder,
Openspace Management; Terry Hanson, Community Projects Manager,
City of Redding, California.
HEALTH AND TRAIL PARTNERSHIPS
- Fiesta 5
- How can a physician, a federal employee, and trail
development specialists improve the quality of life in their
community through trails? This session will focus on new
partnerships between the public health and health care
community, the National Park Service, and nonprofit trail
advocates. It will include an easy to understand breakdown of
the health functions particularly concerned with physical
activity (cardiac rehab, public health, physical therapy,
diabetes and injury prevention) with emphasis on children and
seniors. Attendees will learn from three different perspectives
how to overcome obstacles and maximize opportunities in forming
partnerships, seeking funding and communicating effectively.
- Moderator: Tom Sexton, Director, Rails-to-Trails
Conservancy Northeast Region
- Speakers: Dr. Roger Landry, President, Always Healthy;
Helen Mahan, Community Planner, National Park Service, Rivers
and Trails Program
GREENWAYS AND TRAILS ONLINE
- Fiesta 2
- The Web has literally transformed the way people obtain,
provide and share information. Whether the means to provide
timely recreational information for trail users or to
disseminate the latest studies to trail managers and planners,
the Web has likewise had a significant impact in the trails
community. This session will provide a case study view of the
practical issues encountered in some recent greenways and
trails website efforts, including the Online Florida Greenways
and Trails Guide. An open discussion will be encouraged so
attendees can share their thoughts and experiences.
- Moderator: Stuart Macdonald, National Association of State
Trail Administrators
- Speakers: Stuart Macdonald, National Association of State
Trail Administrators; Jim Wood, Special Projects Coordinator,
Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Office of
Greenways & Trails
LANDSCAPES OF THE IMAGINATION: ART AND PLACE IN TRAILS
- Fiesta 3 & 4
- In 1999, a seed was planted and a unique partnership born
between the arts and trails communities that envisioned trails
as representative of the various legacies of our nation's
history and culture. Through support from the National
Endowment for the Arts, 37 trails across the nation became test
beds for ideas and partnerships to use the arts to express the
natural and cultural characteristics of their trails. This
session will explore the intersections of trails, art and
community and the opportunities for constructive, engaging
interpretation. Learn how these projects inspired the Rivers,
Trails and Conservation Assistance program to use artist
residencies to increase environmental awareness and action.
- Moderator: Alexandra Weiss, Greenways and Trails
Consultant, Florida Department of Environmental Protection,
Office of Greenways & Trails
- Speakers: Kimber Craine, Communications Manager, National
Assembly of State Art Agencies; Deborah Doyle-Schechtman,
Cultural Heritage Tourism Coordinator, Vermont Arts Council;
Evelyn Swimmer, Landscape Architect, National Park Service,
Rivers and Trails Program; Alex Stone, Outdoor Recreation
Planner, National Park Service, Rivers and Trails Program
MAKING IT HAPPEN: SUCCESSFUL ADVOCACY CAMPAIGNS
- Fiesta 1
- Two different models for developing advocacy campaigns will
be presented. The Blue Ribbon Coalition will share the steps
they are taking to implement a national advocacy campaign for
continued snowmobile access to Yellowstone and Grand Teton
National Parks. The Friendship Trail Corporation saved the
"old" Gandy Bridge from the wrecking ball when Pinellas and
Hillsborough Counties responded to a "Save the Gandy" bridge
campaign by citizens. Renamed the Friendship TrailBridge, it is
the world's longest over-the-water recreation trail (2.6 miles
long).
- Speakers: Frank Miller, Executive Director, the Friendship
Trail Corporation; Jack Welch, President, Blue Ribbon Coalition
Wednesday, November 13 -- Time:
10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
OUTDOOR ETHICS: TAKING CARE OF THE LANDSCAPE
- Fiesta 3
- This session will highlight the successful outdoor ethic
programs of Leave No Trace and Tread Lightly!. Presentations
and discussions will focus on the elements of their education
messages. Additionally, participants will be provided with
information on useful programs and initiatives from each
organization. This informational session will enable all who
attend to identify ways to integrate the message of outdoor
ethics into their individual programs. Federal agency
representatives will highlight the critical need for these
messages and how the programs are making a difference.
- Speakers: Ben Lawhon, Education and Projects Manager, Leave
No Trace; Emily McAllister, Education & Program Specialist,
Tread Lightly!; Stewart Jacobson, Tread Lightly!/Leave No Trace
Coordinator for the Bureau of Land Management
OUR LEGACY: PROTECTING HISTORIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCES - THE
LEWIS & CLARK NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL AND THE ETOWAH RIVER
GREENWAY
- Fiesta 2
- Come hear the stories of two efforts that offer excellent
examples of how community support is integral to the protection
and interpretation of cultural and historic resources. Planning
for the 2003-2006 Bicentennial Commemoration of the Lewis &
Clark Expedition is galvanizing support from numerous federal
agencies, states, user groups, tribes and communities connected
to the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. The Etowah
River Greenway in Georgia represents the merging of community,
environment, history, and the arts. Community workshops and
interviews helped reveal the historic traditions unique to the
Etowah River, forming the vision to protect, design and
implement the Greenway. A video, created to assist fundraising,
will be shown.
- Moderator: Steve Elkinton, Program Leader, National Trails
System, National Park Service
- Speakers: Margaret Gorski, Lewis and Clark Bicentennial
Coordinator, USDA Forest Service; Liz Cole, Director of
Greenways and Open Space, Jordan, Jones & Goulding
LOCAL REFERENDUMS FOR LAND ACQUISITION AND TRAILS
- Fiesta 6
- This session will provide local case studies on how
citizens and local governments have partnered to organize
grassroots campaigns to ensure the passage of bond referendums
for land acquisition and trails. In 1999, Sarasota County, FL
voters approved a bond referendum and tax increase that is
expected to raise $167 million over 20 years for the purchase
of environmentally sensitive lands. In November 2000, Seminole
County, FL citizens approved a $25 million bond referendum that
will fund trail development and acquisition of natural lands.
The citizens of Scottsdale, AZ recently approved a $2.5 million
bond for the acquisition and development of trails
- Moderator: Jaime Doubek-Racine, Outdoor Recreation Planner,
National Park Service, Rivers & Trails Program
- Speakers: Jim Coffman, RLA, Senior Project Manager, Todd
& Associates, Inc.; Ginger Hoke, RLA, ASLA, Project
Manager, TEI Engineers & Planners; Scott Hamilton, Trails
Planner, City of Scottsdale; Jon Thaxton, Commissioner,
Sarasota County
THE NATIONAL TRAILS TRAINING PARTNERSHIP (NTTP)
- Fiesta 1
- The National Trails Training Partnership (NTTP) is an
effort by trails advocates to improve opportunities for
training for the nationwide trails community. The goal of the
partnership is to help both staff and volunteers plan, design,
enhance, build, interpret, protect, and maintain trails and
greenways for all Americans. Presentations and discussion will
cover the challenges of providing training, coordinating among
agencies, undertaking statewide training initiatives, and
identifying needs for trail-related education. American Trails'
on line clearinghouse for trails training will be highlighted.
- Speakers: Christopher Douwes, Recreational Trails Program
Manager, Federal Highway Administration; Stuart Macdonald,
National Association of State Trail Administrators; Jack
Placchi, Trails and Travel Management Coordinator, Bureau of
Land Management.
HOW THE STUDENT CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION (SCA) CAN ASSIST
YOU IN MEETING YOUR GREENWAYS AND TRAILS RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
NEEDS
- Fiesta 4
- Founded in 1957, the Student Conservation Association (SCA)
is our nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to
youth development through conservation service. Annually, more
than 2,500 SCA conservation interns and crews provide 1.5
million hours of conservation service in parks, forests,
refuges and urban areas in all 50 states. This panel session
will highlight several of SCA's current Florida partnership
models and how these models may be duplicated by others
throughout the country to assist in accomplishing their
greenways and trails natural and cultural resource management
projects.
- Moderator: Ray T. Auger, Program Development Director,
Student Conservation Association
- Speakers: Ray T. Auger, Program Development Director,
Student Conservation Association; Kent Wimmer, Florida National
Scenic Trail Liaison, Florida Trail Association; Mark Gibson,
Natural Resource Manager, U.S. Navy, Pensacola Naval Air
Station; Representative, The Nature Conservancy, Disney
Preserve; Representative, National Park Service, Big Cypress
National Preserve
CREATIVE USES FOR ENHANCEMENT FUNDING
- Fiesta 5
- The Transportation Enhancement Program has helped bring
about positive change in making our communities more livable.
This workshop will focus on enhancement projects that are
"outside the box" and represent creative and innovative
solutions to problems. This session will include a discussion
on a process developed by the Florida Department of
Transportation for streamlining the research and documentation
for projects that are able to meet certain criteria that were
developed jointly with the Federal Highway Administration. This
is especially beneficial for projects that may be reviewed
through a checklist format if they meet the definition of a
"Minor Project."
- Moderator: Laura Cohen, California Director,
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
- Speakers: Laura Cohen, California Director, Rails-to-Trails
Conservancy; Mary Anne Koos, Bicycle & Pedestrian
Coordinator, Florida Department of Transportation, District 3;
Hugh Morris, Deputy Director, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
CIVIL DEFENSE TRAILS: A RESPONSE TO 9/11
- El Paso 1 & 2
- On September 11, 2001, America's trails were called into
service as evacuation facilities and emergency service
corridors. In New York City and Washington, D.C., urban
greenways became critical escape routes as thousands of people
chose the only form of transportation they knew would work:
walking. How can this important function of trails be enhanced
as part of America's investment in Homeland Security? This
session will offer a chance for trail managers, users and
advocates to hear about an innovative response being developed
along the East Coast Greenway, and to discuss the role trails
can play as part of our nation's Civil Defense system.
- Speakers: Jeff Olson, Architect and Trail Planner,
Trailblazer; David S. Hunt, Senior Planner, Manager,
Transportation and Planning Services, Vollmer Associates LLP
