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OUTREACH and EDUCATION - skills and training topics

Signs and public information; communicating regulations and etiquette; marketing of trails and recreation opportunities; environmental education; interpretation of historic and cultural features. See below for training and resources links for PUBLIC OUTREACH.

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

Skills for Signs and Communications

• Create a well-designed system of trail signs, interpretive services, and brochures
• Provide appropriate signs with clear iinformation in the right places while avoiding clutter
• Inform trail users on rules, allowable uses, fees, and ways to participate in management recommendations
• Use GPS, cell phone, ipod and other new technologies to deliver trail interpretive messages and advisories

Skills for Public Information

• Identifying information needs and goals for online information
• Provide the information needed through newsletters, emails, and websites
• Create public presentations on key topics
• Develop reports and updates for funders, elected officials, communities and organizations

Skills for Marketing and Publicity

• Market trails effectively to build support for individual trails and trail systems
• Use annual events and festivals as both education and marketing tools
• Present trail plans, successes, and needs to community organizations and businesses

Skills for Interpretation and Education

• Develop programs both on and off the trail to interpret natural, cultural, and historical resources
• Preparing and delivering interpretive talks to the public and site visitors
• Identifying needs and opportunities for interpretation and planning facilities
• Writing, developing, publishing, and distributing written interepretive materials
• Designing, building, and installing exhibits, displays, and markers
• Develop and conduct stewardship education programs, including "Leave No Trace" and "Tread Lightly!"

TRAINING and RESOURCES for Partnerships and Collaboration

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 Partnerships and Collaboration

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

• American Trails provides the Greenways and Trails Forum for Development Professionals to bring trails people and ideas into a collaborative land planning and development process to help get more trails and greenways built.
• IMBA Trailbuilding Schools promote trail clubs working with land managers, and multi-use trails issues; sponsored by Subaru of America and International Mountain Bicycling Association.
• Marshall University Park and Recreation Resources includes partnerships, collaborative management, and interagency cooperation for off-highway vehicle recreation.
• National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council provides statewide workshops that include partnership development and interagency management for motorized recreation
• Professional Trailbuilders Association annual Trailbuilders Conference includes workshops on partnership building, interagency management, and involving volunteers and trail organizations in projects.
• Trail Management: Plans, Projects and People: week-long interagency training includes some aspects of multi-agency management and user group cooperation
• See more training providers
• Check for training providers in your state

Resources for Laws, Regulations, and Policies

• The Trail Management Index includes articles and examples of collaborative trail management and multi-use issues.
• The Planning Index provides links to many examples of partnerships and collaborative planning projects.

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.

RESOURCES and TRAINING for outreach and education:

Courses
Books
Articles & projects
Bibliography
Glossary
Calendar
Products & services

CATEGORIES of SKILLS for trails and greenways work:

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

National
Trails Training Partnership:

Who we are
Featured training
Training by state
Calendar
Search the training database

Do you need training?
Do you have training opportunities you'd like to publicize?
Are you a trails expert who can teach trail skills to others?
The National Trails Training Partnership wants to work with you to make training more available.

Contact us!