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CONCURRENT SESSIONS

When concurrent sessions are scheduled, and the descriptions and presenters are finalized, the information will be made available on the American Trails website at www.AmericanTrails.org.


	Concurrent sessions will help us to enhance and protect our systems of trails

In keeping with our theme, “Innovative Trails: Transforming the American Way of Life,” the 19th National Trails Symposium offers a variety of concurrent sessions that will help participants understand how trails are “transforming our nation and the way we live.”

Concurrent sessions will allow us to realize that trails have become a prominent factor in how and where we choose to live our lives; creating transportation, recreational and educational opportunities; encouraging well being; exploring history and heritage; bringing together people of all ages; and connecting communities.

Concurrent sessions will allow us to discover and explore:

The role trails and greenways play in bringing people together at the community and family level.

How trails and greenways can be a boom to the local economy through enhanced tourism and other factors.

Ways to identify, monitor, and minimize the negative impacts of trails on resources and build trails that compliment and enhance the environment through which they travel.

How communities are using our streets as “trails for life,” nationally and internationally.

Why trails are a key component of a community’s infrastructure.

The interface between motorized and non-motorized transportation, and how to ensure safe use by all.

Ways to recognize and deal with public safety, including risk and liability issues related to trail development and management.

Application of accessibility guidelines on all trails.

Creative ways to develop and manage off-highway vehicle facilities, water trails, equestrian trails, and other trail types individually, and by finding common ground to promote cooperation among all trail interests and users.

Ways to integrate equestrian opportunities into trails across the nation, whether urban, suburban, or rural.

How to plan a corridor system that connects the continent by bicycle.

The growing demand, development, and management of water trails at the regional, state, and local levels.

The support of trails and greenways nationwide from a variety of federal agencies and programs.

Unique approaches to defining trail opportunities locally, regionally, statewide, and multi-state.

Design and construction of trails that incorporate inventive technology, sustainable techniques, safety features, and solutions to user conflict.

The need to build effective partnerships at every level to build and operate trails, public and private sector, with an emphasis on working with developers.

Creative implementation and management strategies from unique funding approaches, to the use of volunteers to build, operate, and maintain trails and greenways.

How to evaluate and build trails that accommodate users of all ages, abilities, and skill levels.

Training opportunities for trail managers.

Ways to determine, before building, who will use a trail, and how many visitors to expect.

The health, economics, quality of life, and other benefits of trails.

Trails as a place to bring communities together through events and activities, and as marketing and promotion tools for communities.

Whether sharing a short stroll around the neighborhood on a creatively developed and managed trail system, or a longer experience along the Mississippi River, these concurrent sessions will reveal the knowledge that will help us to continue to enhance and protect America's growing network of interconnected trails that are “Transforming the American Way of Life.”

SESSIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

American Trails, P.O. Box 491797, Redding, CA 96049-1797 • (530) 547-2060
• Fax: (530) 547-2035 • Symposium@americantrails.org • www.AmericanTrails.org

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