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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 Jun 10, 2019

Getting State Legislators Excited About Trails: Caucuses and "Active" Advocacy

by Andrew Dupuy with Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), Brian K. Housh with Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC)

Several states, including Ohio, Michigan, and Massachusetts have established legislative trails caucuses in the past year, facilitating active engagement among state legislators and trail constituents.


posted Jun 9, 2019

System Wide Trail Assessment: A Spatial Data Driven Approach

by Michael Meister

In this Trail Talk new methods of mobile electronic data collection help streamline assessments for Tennessee State Parks.


posted Jun 5, 2019

"Plainting" the Trail

by Chris Gensic with City of Charlottesville Parks & Recreation

Trail Talk handout


posted Jun 5, 2019

Trail Construction Cost Realities

by Margie Tatro with Reineke Construction

In this session learn about a simple, cost estimating tool and key factors associated with trail construction costs.


posted Jun 5, 2019

Investing in Our Future - Quantifying the Impact of Completing the East Coast Greenway in the Delaware River Watershed

by Niles Barnes with East Coast Greenway Alliance

This report looks at the impact of the East Coast Greenway within the Delaware River Watershed.


posted Jun 5, 2019

Young Adults and Professional Partnering for 21st Century Trails

by Willie Bittner with Great Lakes Trailbuilders, LLC, Lauren Edwards-Johnson with The Corps Network, Brenna Kelly with Conservation Legacy

Engaging youth and veterans in trail projects.


posted Jun 5, 2019

Sustainable Trail Development and Education in Patagonia

by Jed Talbot with OBP Trailworks, LLC

This PTBA Technical Track session describes trail development in remote area's of Argentine Patagonia.


posted Jun 5, 2019

DIY Volunteer Program Assessment: Maximize and Sustain Your Volunteer Community

by Kendra Baumer with New York - New Jersey Trail Conference

Take control of your volunteer program's future!


posted Jun 5, 2019

An Empire State of Trails: Creating New Trails and Connecting Existing Networks

by Karl Beard with National Park Service, Andy Beers with Hudson River Valley Greenway, Beth Campochiaro with Hudson River Valley Greenway, Mona Caron with Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, Robin Dropkin with Parks and Trails New York, Sasha Eisenstein with New York State Canal Corporation, Scott Keller with Hudson River Valley Greenway, Tom Sexton with Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC)

The session describes New York’s emergence as a trail state, highlights advocacy and planning that paved the way, and offers takeaways for trail systems elsewhere.


posted Jun 5, 2019

Health Benefits and Funding for Close-to-Home Recreational Trails

by Terry Bergerson with Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Randall Rosengerger with Oregon State University - College of Forestry

Non-motorized trail access was identified as a cost-effective public health strategy for increasing physical activity levels in the Oregon population.


posted Jun 5, 2019

Making it Count: Analyzing Trail Use Data in New York and Connecticut

by Laura Brown with University of Connecticut, Dylan Carey with Parks and Trails New York, Jennifer Ceponis with Capital District Transportation Committee, Emily Dozier with Dutchess County Transportation Council, Kristina Kelly with Connecticut Trail Census, James Stevens with ConsultEcon, Inc.

Presenters outline the techniques used and lessons learned from trail counts in New York and Connecticut.


posted Jun 5, 2019

The Long Trail Back: The National Forest System Trails Stewardship Act, Three Years On

by Deb Caffin with USDA Forest Service, Randy Rasmussen with Back Country Horsemen of America, Paul Sanford with The Wilderness Society, Randy Welsh with National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance

In this presentation the panelists discuss how the U.S. Forest Service is mandated to increase the role of volunteers and partners in trail maintenance activities.