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posted Jul 24, 2023

Trail Competency Framework

by The Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands at Indiana University

A group of nationwide trail professionals representing federal agencies, trail nonprofits, and the private sector initiated this project to develop a common trail competency framework, focusing on enhancing professionalism as well as a higher level of skill.

posted May 9, 2022

Hub for Information on Trail Users

Everything you need to know about trail counters, trail user surveys, and other information to better understand and engage your trail users.*

posted Apr 11, 2022

Impact of Trails Hub

Everything you need to know about the positive impact of trails on health, environment, economics, and more.

posted Feb 14, 2022

Trail Planning and Design Hub

Everything you need to know about trail planning and design for long lasting trails.

posted Jan 18, 2022

Shared-Use Trail Hub

Everything you need to know about planning, building, and managing shared-use trails.

posted Nov 9, 2021

Trail Accessibility Hub

Everything you need to know about planning, building, and maintaining accessible trails.

posted Sep 13, 2020

12 Resources for Building Trail Stewards

by Taylor Goodrich with American Trails

Use this library of resources, articles, and trainings to create an army of effective trail stewards.

posted Aug 5, 2019

Planning Trails With Wildlife in Mind - Wildlife and Trails Primer

by American Trails Staff

The Primer provides discussion of broad wildlife topics, plus key concepts and rules of thumb to help with trail planning and management.

posted Jun 24, 2019

Volunteer Stewardship Tools

by Taylor Goodrich with American Trails

Managing volunteers to achieve high quality trail stewardship work for land managers is not easy. Explore the tools and resources available to you that will help you start, expand or enhance your outdoor stewardship volunteer program, achieving your goals, and providing exceptional service to land managers.

posted Aug 14, 2018

Fort River Birding and Nature Trail, Massachusetts

The one-mile trail provides a chance to enjoy the natural world at Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge.

posted Aug 14, 2018

Pomeroy and Newark Rail Trail, Delaware

This designated National Recreation Trail runs 4.18 miles through northern Delaware and includes Recreational Trails Program funding.

posted Mar 13, 2018

Active Transportation and Parks and Recreation

by National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)

A national study on Active Transportation and Parks and Recreation.

posted Nov 4, 2020

Finding and Applying for a Government Job

by Transforming Youth Outdoors (TYO)

The purpose of this guide is to introduce government career opportunities and approaches to those interested in working IN or FOR the “outdoors”.


posted Nov 4, 2020

Federal and Regional Government Outdoor Fields of Occupations

by Transforming Youth Outdoors (TYO)

If you are a recent graduate, this guide will help you not only to understand the typical occupations, but also the educational requirements to start a career.


posted Nov 4, 2020

A How-To Guide for Pursuing a Career in Natural Resources

by Colorado Youth Corps Association, Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education

Natural resource professionals have some of the most challenging and important jobs of any profession. The resources we have on this Earth sustain everything else and must be managed for multiple uses and multiple interests.


posted Nov 4, 2020

Case Studies for Outdoor Recreation and Conservation Careers

Read these case studies on working in the field of outdoor recreation and conservation!


posted Nov 3, 2020

Adopt-A-Trail Handbook

by Mountain State Trail Alliance

Trail volunteers provide a valuable service to themselves, their fellow trail users and to the NRGTA. As the miles of trails available has grown in recent years and continue to grow, funding for trail staff has not.


posted Nov 2, 2020

2020 American Trails Costume Contest Results!

by Taylor Goodrich with American Trails

Every year we ask you to get outside in your costume and send us photos! This year we had some fantastic entries from several different trail user types...


posted Oct 27, 2020

Perceptions of Conflict Surrounding Future E-Bike Use on the Arizona Trail

On average, the majority of survey respondents disapprove of e-bikes being allowed on the trail. This remains true across the board for each of the major user groups; however, mountain bike rider respondents are less likely to disapprove of allowing e-bikes on non-motorized trails and equestrian respondents are more likely to disapprove.


posted Oct 23, 2020

30 New National Recreation Trails Have Been Designated

by American Trails Staff

On October 22, 2020 U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt announced 30 new national recreation trails in 25 states, adding more than 1,275 miles to the National Trails System.


posted Oct 20, 2020

The Greenway Guidebook

With this document, the Dakota County Greenway Collaborative takes the approach used in roadbuilding and applies it to creating a countywide network of greenways.


posted Oct 19, 2020

Crises as a Catalyst

by ProInspire

Times of crisis challenge social sector leaders in extraordinary ways. The unprecedented circumstances brought forth by COVID-19 and recent acts of police brutality call on each of us to individually reflect, collectively support, and intentionally adapt our work to meet the urgent needs of this moment.


posted Oct 14, 2020

Best Pants for Trail Work

by American Trails Staff

We asked you to give us your recommendations for durable pants that can withstand trail work. These are the results.


posted Oct 13, 2020

Solutions to Homelessness on Trails

by Taylor Goodrich with American Trails

In August of 2020 American Trails held a webinar called "Balancing Recreational Area Use with Homelessness and Vagrancy." This webinar discussed how the city of Modesto, California dealt with the challenge of homelessness and vagrancy in their parks and trails. These are some key takeaways from the webinar.