April 2021
Criteria for Trail Placement, Control Points, and Layout

These criteria are to be followed as guidelines. Not all of the criteria can be met on every segment of every trail. Their purpose is to help create sustainable and low-maintenance trails that provide quality recreational experiences.
Trail Funding Opportunity: 2021 Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE)
Formerly TIGER and BUILD grants, this funding can support trail projects that provide surface transportation connections as part of larger transportation projects. For Notice of Funding Opportunity and application deadline information, please read more...
National Recreation Trail Highlight: Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreation Area, West Virginia
Spanning nearly 400 miles across eight counties, this backcountry trail system provides for a variety of trail uses, including all-terrain vehicle use, mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding. Read more…
Recreational Trails Program Highlight: Whiskey Run Mountain Biking Trail
The Whiskey Run Mountain Biking Trail located in Bandon, Oregon was awarded $214,618 in Recreational Trails Program funds. Read more...
Building the Future with Conservation Corps

The purpose of this guide is to acquaint State administrators and transportation agencies with the benefits of employing Corpsmembers on transportation projects. Read more...
Trail Policy Landscape
Here are the issues we are tracking on Capitol Hill

This February and March, over 120 advocates virtually hiked the halls of Congress to call for action to protect and expand access for all to public lands and trails. These efforts, led by the Partnership for the National Trails System and American Hiking Society, developed a series of common messages and legislative priorities for the coming Federal fiscal year. We encourage all of our partners to download the Hike the Hill materials now to help build a common agenda for the entire trails community.
Resources and Training

Trail Tools: Safety Equipment
The following trail work safety tips should be covered with volunteers and crewmembers before the start of any trail work. Read more...

Sustainable Trail Development and Education in Patagonia
This Professional TrailBuilders Association Technical Track session describes trail development in remote area's of Argentine Patagonia. Read more...

Training Calendar and Volunteer Opportunities
Check out our training calendar for upcoming conferences and events. You can also find volunteer opportunities here. If you have an opportunity for us to post, please email trailhead@americantrails.org.
Seeking Learning Credits?
American Trails offers learning credits for our Advancing Trails Webinar Series, our International Trails Symposium and Training Institute, and other trail-related conferences, workshops, and webinars. Read more...
Featured Trail Industry Manufacturer: DOGIPOT
Pick up after your pets with the help of DOGIPOT® Pet Stations, complete with litter pick up bags and trash receptacles. Learn more about this company…


Featured Trail Job: Trails Specialist, Cleveland Metroparks
The Trails Specialist assists the Trails Development Manager with planning and fieldwork duties in relation to the management of the park district’s natural resource trail system. This position is headquartered at Ohio & Erie Canal Management Center, but will report directly to various job sites. Read more...

Featured Training Opportunity: 2021 Move United Education Conference. 
Join thousands of sports, youth, and education professionals across the country, May 10-14, in virtual educational sessions, with topics including:
 
  • Advancements in Adaptive Sport
  • Inclusive Sport Fundamentals
  • Sport-Specific Considerations
  • Transforming Education Programming
  • Equity in Sport 
 
General registration is FREE (workshops offered have a small fee). Read more...
Advancing Trails Webinar Series and Learning Credit Opportunities
SAVE THE DATE: Free April Webinars
We record all of our webinars which are available for download at any time in our online store. Each webinar also offers a closed caption transcript and learning credits are offered for most. View a list of all of our upcoming and archived webinars...
 
Sponsor an American Trails Webinar to Reach 500 to 1,100 Attendees
We plan to continue to offer increased options for training via our Advancing Trails Webinar Series in place of the many conferences that have been canceled/postponed this year and are continuing to hold one webinar per week, when possible. It is also our intent to continue to make all of these webinars FREE to the public, but we need your sponsorship dollars to help make this possible!

All webinars noted below have partner sponsorships available ($250) but only the ones marked with an asterisk (*) have public sponsorships available ($3,000 – listed as main sponsor with more recognition). We added MORE benefits for public sponsors in 2021. Email candace@americantrails.org to become a sponsor today and learn more.

2021 Webinars (With Dates):
 
2021 Webinars (Dates TBD):
  • Wheels and Legs: How Well Do They Mix? Addressing Nonmotorized Trail User Conflicts Conflicts (Sponsored by Rhino Marking & Protection Systems)
  • Dealing with Trail Maintenance Backlog Forum* (Partner sponsor Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado)
  • Policy and Trails*
  • Railroads and Right-of-Ways (Sponsored by Rhino Marking & Protection Systems)
  • Trail Ambassador Programs*
  • Equity/Access* (Co-hosting with Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals) (4 webinars in September 2021)

We welcome your suggestions to host your own webinar or sponsor a topic of interest (we can assist with finding presenters)! 
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