posted May 9, 2022
Everything you need to know about trail counters, trail user surveys, and other information to better understand and engage your trail users.*
posted Jul 24, 2023
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 Apr 11, 2022
Everything you need to know about the positive impact of trails on health, environment, economics, and more.
posted Feb 14, 2022
Everything you need to know about trail planning and design for long lasting trails.
posted Jan 18, 2022
Everything you need to know about planning, building, and managing shared-use trails.
posted Sep 13, 2020
Use this library of resources, articles, and trainings to create an army of effective trail stewards.
posted Aug 5, 2019
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
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
This designated National Recreation Trail runs 4.18 miles through northern Delaware and includes Recreational Trails Program funding.
posted Mar 13, 2018
by National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)
A national study on Active Transportation and Parks and Recreation.
posted Mar 27, 2024
by Outdoor Stewardship Institute
This training was developed to teach the fundamentals of basic trail maintenance to volunteers working independently in groups of three or less people. Local, state and federal land management agencies will benefit from this training because participants will gain skills that allow them to perform needed routine trail maintenance with minimal supervision and coordination.
posted Aug 8, 2020
The Access Board is responsible for developing accessibility guidelines for the construction and alteration of facilities covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) of 1968.
posted Mar 27, 2024
The purpose of the Wilderness Stewardship Plan Handbook 2014 is to provide direction for creating wilderness stewardship plans, driven by the concept of preserving wilderness character. The Handbook focuses on how to incorporate wilderness policy and wilderness character into a wilderness stewardship plan and also offers a general overview of planning and compliance to be useful for those with and without a professional background in planning.
posted Apr 13, 2019
This guidebook was written to help designers and managers apply FSORAG and FSTAG to their work and to pro- vide guidance for integrating accessibility into outdoor recreation site and trail projects.
posted Mar 27, 2024
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail (NST) is a thousand-mile footpath highlighting Wisconsin’s renowned Ice Age heritage and scenic beauty. The Ice Age Trail Alliance (IATA) and its partners can shape users’ experiences. As stewards of the land and the Trail, we can help users develop a connection with the land and create a sense of wonder — even pique their curiosity enough to further explore the Trail.
posted Sep 11, 2023
The tools shown here are those used most often by Forest Service trail crews. They are categorized into tools for sawing, chopping, grubbing, digging and tamping, pounding, and hammering, lifting and hauling, peeling and shaping, and sharpening and rehandling. Each tool is described along with helpful techniques for use and maintenance.
posted Sep 22, 2023
This five-part course discusses what it means for a trail to be sustainable. It describes the lifecycle of sustainable trails and includes lessons on hydrology, structures, tools, tread and alignment.
posted Sep 19, 2023
The Career Pathways Portal is a centralized hub of career information. Emerging and established trails professionals can explore career development options, find learning opportunities and jobs. Click the infographics below or keep scrolling to learn more.
posted Sep 13, 2023
The Trail Fund has now morphed into two programs. The Trails Capacity Program fills the role of what the "Trail Fund" was in 2021, and the Legacy Trails Program now offers Legacy Roads and Trails funding to projects on U.S. Forest Service lands.
posted Nov 9, 2021
Everything you need to know about planning, building, and maintaining accessible trails.
posted Jun 24, 2019
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 8, 2014
The Access Board has published new guidelines under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) that address access to sidewalks and streets, crosswalks, curb ramps, pedestrian signals, on-street parking, and other components of public rights-of-way.
posted Mar 26, 2024
Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy scenic views along the Vermont shorelines thanks to the GEOWEB® Soil Confinement System.
posted Apr 17, 2024
by League of American Bicyclists
This mini-report on setting speed limits shows the current framework for speed limit policies through a review of state laws that set speed limits.
posted Mar 10, 2024
In this second article by Lauren Cacela of Camelot Tools, find out what trail builders and trail crew members are saying about the SiteMaster tool and Camelot Fire Rake!
posted Jan 12, 2024
Trails, if designed well, can promote equitable access to the outdoors for people of all ages and abilities, bringing together people with diverse social, racial, gender, and economic identities. Inclusive trails don't just happen. It takes a robust public engagement process, inclusive approaches to trail programming, public awareness efforts and trail enhancements to meet the diverse needs of the entire community.
posted Jan 26, 2024
This guide walks advocates and trail planners through the steps needed to see a greenway trail completed. The first section outlines the steps needed to get a project started, from identifying the corridor to cultivating the vision that will help inspire engagement and public support, and eventually lead to buy-in from state and/or local government.
posted Dec 27, 2023
by Danelle Dodds, Visit Long Beach Peninsula
Storm-watching on the Long Beach Peninsula is one of nature’s most dazzling performances, and we’re lucky enough to have a front-row seat.
posted Nov 27, 2023
by Bob Walker with Montana Trails Coalition, American Trails Staff
Have you ever wondered how to create a trails coalition in your state or region? This article shares some pointers and discusses the results of a nationwide survey of trails coalitions conducted by American Trails in February 2023.
posted Dec 7, 2023
Three national scenic trails have become the country’s newest National Parks, raising the total number of existing parks from 425 to 428.
posted Dec 19, 2023
This guidebook demonstrates how trails are part of resilient transportation infrastructure, how trails can be planned and designed to be resilient and sustainable, and how trails have a role in emergency planning and response.
posted Nov 17, 2023
by Foundation for America's Public Lands
Implementation of the Blueprint will require a deepening of relationships, new partnerships, new capacity and ultimately, new resources for success. Put simply, the Bureau can’t achieve its vision alone.
posted Nov 2, 2023
Bob Walker receives the Montana Trails Coalitions' Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 Montana Outdoor Recreation Summit in Butte, Montana.
posted Dec 19, 2023
This white paper provides information and resources for Tribes, Tribal trails and active transportation advocates, and agencies that may partner with Tribes on trail projects including Federal and State agencies, MPOs, county and local governments, and community organizations.
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