Skills pages:

1. Trail Design
2. Construction
3. Maintenance
4. Management
5. Policies
6. Planning
7. Administration
8. Organizations
9. Partnerships
10. Resources
11. Information
12. Outreach

NTTP Homepage

SKILLS and COMPETENCIES for Trails Training

Hosted by AmericanTrails.org

Categories of skills used in trails and greenways work, along with links to classes and resources for training. Also see National Scenic and Historic Trails Training Needs Assessment

This area categorizes and defines the wide range of skills used in trails and greenways work. The goal is to comprehensively identify the range of competencies and knowledge used by staff and volunteers engaged in every kind of trail work. Web pages for the 12 topics provides a catalogue of skills, plus links to resources, publications, and training providers.

This area is compiled and maintained by Stuart Macdonald from resources provided by members of the National Trails Training Partnership. Many of the specific skills were identified by the task force for the National Scenic and Historic Trails Training Needs Assessment.

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT skills and competencies

Specific skills used in development of organizations for trails and greenways work: creating and building a nonprofit organization; managing boards and staff; recruiting, training, and rewarding volunteers; managing finances and legal issues. See below for training and resources links for Organizational Development.

The following is a list of skills and competencies for this category of trails work.

photo of people and posters

HOLLISTER HILLS OFF-ROAD ASSOCIATION HELPED
ENSURE THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF A
NEW OHV RIDING AREA IN CALIFORNIA

Skills for Organizational Development

Creating or adapting organizational structures
Recruiting and managing members
Establishing and maintaining a board of directors
Establishing committees and working groups in the organization
Creating work plans, timelines, and tasks for staff and volunteers
Identifying goals and objectives for long and short term

Skills for Publicity and Promotion

Identifying and developing an organizational image
Developing appropriate means of promoting the orgainzation's goals
Finding and working with media partners
Explaining benefits and values, mission, and operation of trails and projects
Creating and managing events
Writing quarterly and annual reports

Skills for Volunteer Development

Creating or adapting a successful volunteer program
Recruiting, recognizing, and rewarding volunteers
Identifying skill needs and training volunteers

Skills for Managing Legal Issues

Identifying and managing risk and potential liabilities
Applying state and federal laws on user and volunteer liability to reduce risk to a minimum

TRAINING and RESOURCES for Organizational Development

Links will take you to specific training opportunities, training providers, and other educational resources for both urban and backcountry trails. See the Online Training Calendar for current opportunities, featured training providers, and resources in each state.

Courses on Organizational Development

See providers of training below
Check the online Calendar for current scheduled training
Search the NTTP training database by keyword, state, or provide

American Society of Association Executives and the Center for Association Leadership’s University provide courses in nonprofit management, leadership, finance, marketing, and membership development.
See more trail-related training providers
Check for training providers in your state

Resources for Organizational Development

The Advocacy for Trails and Greenways Index provides a wealth of articles and resources on promotion, publicity, and events; developing organizations; and celebrating activists and volunteers.
American Society of Association Executives Online Knowledge Center provides resourses on nonprofit management, leadership, finance, marketing, and membership development.

Books on Organizational Development

The following books are available from the American Trails Store. Also see the American Trails Bibliography.

Natural Surface Trails by Design Physical and Human Design Essentials of Sustainable, Enjoyable Trails; by Troy Scott Parker
Trail Solutions: IMBA's Guide to Building Sweet Singletrack; Cutting-edge trailbuilding techniques with proven fundamentals in a colorful, easy-to-read format
Lightly On The Land : The SCA Trail Building and Maintenance Manual, 2nd Edition; the trail building and maintenance "Bible," updated and expanded to meet new techniques and new realities of the 21st century.

The National Trails Training Partnership

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

The National Trails Training Partnership is an alliance of Federal agencies, training providers, nationwide supporters, and providers of products and services. Visit the online calendar of training opportunities, access hundreds of trail-related resources, read the news, learn how you can help, and see training resources in your state.

This material is based upon work supported by the Federal Highway Administration under Cooperative Agreement DTFH61-06-H-00023. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the Author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Federal Highway Administration.