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Laws, Regulations, and Policies - skills and training topics

Specific skills used in Interpreting regulations and legislation;applying federal laws on environmental, historic issues; providing accessible routes under the Americans with Disabilities Act; developing and enforcing trail regulations; responding to legal and liability issues. See below for training and resources links for MANAGEMENT of visitors and trails.

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

Skills for Interpreting Regulations and Policies

• Understanding and working with agency requirements
• Working with trail users and other interest groups to develop policies
• Develop manuals and handbooks, supplements, guidelines and prescriptions

Skills for Applying State and Federal Laws

• Applying the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA)
• Applying the Americans with Disabilities Act
• Apply National Trails System Act and related legislation for federally designated trails
• Analyzing and assesing proposed legislation that would affect trails and related lands

Skills for Developing and Enforcing Trail Regulations

• Promoting trail etiquette
• Writing or adapting sets of regulations
• Working with law enforcement
• Trail patrols and peer enforcement

Skills for Legal and Liability Issues

• Maintaining surfaces and facilities for safe public use
• Risk assessment for trail activities and facilities
• Signs, waivers, and documentation for trail liability
• Responding to legal issues and concerns

TRAINING and RESOURCES for Laws, Regulations, and Policies

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 Laws, Regulations, and Policies

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

• Appalachian Trail Conservancy Volunteer Trail Skills workshops cover Trail Maintenance, Corridor Monitoring, and tool and construction skills
• Carhart National Wilderness Training Center provides courses in Managing Visitor Use in Wilderness, Resource Monitoring, Wilderness Stewardship, and Site Restoration
• Colorado Outdoor Training Initiative: programs for trail crew leadership and basic trail building and maintenance skills; may be available in other states
• IMBA Trailbuilding Schools: sponsored by Subaru of America and directed by the International Mountain Bicycling Association, to teach sustainable trailbuilding
• Leave No Trace Trainer Course teaches principles of low impact recreation and techniques for disseminating these skills
• Marshall University Park and Recreation Resources program of Huntington, WV, has developed and is teaching an off-highway vehicle trail design course via the internet
• Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society provides a variety of courses on Trail Design, Construction, and Maintenance
• National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council provides statewide workshops on motorized recreation management and planning
• Professional Trailbuilders Association sponsors the annual Trailbuilders Conference with workshops on technical aspects of planning, development, and management
• Student Conservation Association teaches skills in trail design, construction, and maintenance
• Tread Lightly! sponsors the Tread Trainer program to train visitors and instructors in responsible trail use
• Trail Management: Plans, Projects and People: week-long interagency training for trail planning, design, development, and management
• Universal Trail Assessment Process training teaches trail assessments for accessibility maintenance, and visitor management
• See more training providers
• Check for training providers in your state

Resources for Laws, Regulations, and Policies

The Accessible Trails Index provides a wealth of articles, projects, and resources on the Americans with Disabilities Act and accessible trails issues.

BOOKS on Laws, Regulations, and Policies

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

• Managing Mountain Biking: IMBA's Guide to Providing Great Riding; by the International Mountain Bicycling Association
• Trails for the Twenty-First Century: Planning, Design, and Management Manual for Multi-Use Trails; by Charles Flink , Kristine Olka , Robert Searns; focus on urban and rail trails
• Greenways: A Guide to Planning, Design and Development; by Charles A. Flink, Robert M. Searns, Loring LaB Schwarz

BOOKS on Off-Highway Vehicle Laws, Regulations, and Policies

• Management Guidelines for OHV Recreation; by Tom Crimmins; by the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council
• Park guidelines for off-highway vehicles: A resource guide to assist in the planning, development, enhancement, and operation of OHV recreation facilities; by the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council

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 trail laws and policies:

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!