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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 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 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 Jul 8, 2022

Improving Accessibility on Public Lands

by Mike Passo with American Trails

Recommendations from American Trails


posted Jun 8, 2022

Trail Tools: Striking Tools

by Tools for Trails

There are a few options for striking tools that you may see out on a project. Some like the sledge hammer will be seen more, while others may only be pulled out for special projects.


posted Jun 2, 2022

2022 Trail Fund At-A-Glance

Our inaugural year brought 291 project proposals totaling over $3.2 million. Seven great projects were able to be funded.


posted Jun 1, 2022

Recreational Trails Program Highlight: Fulbright Spring Greenway, Missouri

by Sue Crowe

From Trash to Treasure. What used to be a landfill in Springfield, Missouri is finding new use.


posted May 22, 2022

2022 Trail Fund Recipients Announced

by American Trails Staff

We are excited to announce the winners of our 2022 Trail Fund grants. In our inaugural year, we funded a total of $50,424 directly to seven projects.


posted May 10, 2022

The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) is Making a Difference Across America

Use this interactive map to find where, when, and how these funds are being used.


posted May 10, 2022

Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Highlight: Chautauqua Bottoms in Jackson, Illinois

Chautauqua Bottoms Nature Preserve created accessibility upgrades with RTP funds.


posted May 10, 2022

The Alabama Scenic River Trail Adds National Recreation Trail (NRT) Signs

The free NRT sign program offered by American Trails has added dozens of signs along the trail.


posted May 3, 2022

Trail Building in the Ozarks

by Ozark Trail Association

This manual was created to accompany the Crew Leader training program developed by the Ozark Trail Association (OTA). It serves as an aid to volunteer Crew Leaders working with other volunteers to build and maintain single-track natural surface trails in the Ozarks region of Missouri. This manual is designed to serve as a baseline for trail construction and maintenance and as an introduction to leading small groups of volunteers on natural surface trail construction and maintenance events.


posted May 3, 2022

Outdoor-Industry Jobs

This study was intended to assess current—and projected—employment levels across these sectors with a particular focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) oriented occupations that require “mid-level” education and skills. This education includes post-high school training but stops short of a bachelor’s degree,3 opening the door to a greater number of students who are not focused exclusively on four-year degrees. The study was also designed to identify employer demand for occupations within these four sectors.


posted May 3, 2022

What Can I do with a Major in Natural Resources & Tourism?

by University of Georgia Career Center

The information in this article describes typical occupations and employers associated with this major. Some of the options listed below may require additional training. Moreover, you are not limited to these options alone when choosing a possible career path.


posted May 3, 2022

Outdoor Recreation and Conservation Careers Toolkit

by Transforming Youth Outdoors (TYO), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Choose your outdoor career path! Get started by asking yourself some very basic questions. Even though you might not be able to answer all of them, it is a good first step to narrow down what you really want to do. Ready? Let’s go!