USFS Standard Trail Plans and Specifications
The Standard Trail Plans and Specifications reflect current Forest Service trail management efforts and the agency’s Trails Data Dictionary for constructed features and tasks.
Implementation Plan
Skill Definition
Accurately interpret specifications, construction process notes, and construction documents to develop an implementation plan based on available labor and funding
Entry Level Performance
- Demonstrate understanding of a project implementation plan including project scope, phases, and timeline
Full Performance Level
- Assess sources and availability of labor and expertise, as well as funding to define project phases when needed
- Develop an implementation plan that matches available labor and funding with phases when needed
Expert Level Performance
- Create a phasing strategy that integrates site-specific conditions, connectivity, and progression
- Make recommendations to help identify future pools of labor and funding when needed
Resources for Implementation Plan
Documents and
Media
• Video Trainings
• Training Programs
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Documents and Media for Implementation Plan
Trail Planning, Design & Development Guidelines
This 300-page spiral-bound publication, several years in the making, provides a first-ever comprehensive "how-to" guidebook for developing all types of recreational trails.
Equestrian Design Guidebook for Trails, Trailheads, and Campgrounds
This guidebook provides practical guidelines for developing recreation environments that are sensitive to the needs of riders and their stock.
Introduction to Trail Planning
One part of a three-part series on the Introduction to Trail Planning, Design and Development, and Management. PART ONE: In the Introduction to Trail Planning we will discuss different types of trail plans including Master Plans Conceptual Plans,…
Ready, Set, Plan
A guide for anyone who wants to better understand trails planning, decision making, and trail project development. If you’re a trail enthusiast with big ideas, a trail advocate, a stewardship volunteer, or public agency staff person interfacing with…
Trail Skills Training Library
Recorded Trainings for Implementation Plan
Pressure Treated Wood for Trail Structures
This webinar will discuss the proper understanding of treated wood and construction details.
Center Pier Wilderness Bridge Construction
Successful plans and construction tools used to construct multiple span bridges (20 - 60' in length) with center piers in the backcountry with the intention to inspire groups that they DO have the skills in house to construct these structures…
A Parking Roadmap: Where to Start When Managing Parking for Your Trail
This webinar will break down how successful agencies manage parking, discuss common strategies and solutions to consider, and how to successfully deploy them.
The Third Mode: Connecting Greenways, Trails and Active Mobility
his webinar covers the latest issues and policies in planning and designing urban mobility networks, and how to integrate transportation with greenways and trails to create seamless metro-wide systems.
Trail Planning and Design: Foundations of Success
This webinar will review several common approaches and technologies for trail planning and design projects and provide attendees with real world examples.
Wilderness Trails: Special Places, Special Considerations.
This webinar will provide some basic information on trails in federally-designated Wilderness, examples of practical experiences, and resources to learn more. Presented by: Pete Irvine, retired, USDA Forest Service Dan Abbe, Wilderness Specialist,…
Further Education
Training Programs for Implementation Plan
Jacksonville State University - Trail Science Institute (TSI)
The TSI focuses on the promotion of recreational trails, primarily in the State of Alabama, by providing educational experiences and providing services such as assessment, monitoring, management, planning, and construction. The TSI defines trails as…
The Harbinger Consultancy Timeline Institute Online Courses
The Harbinger Consultancy's Timeline Institute Online Courses combine instruction, coaching, group learning and step-by-step templates based on 30+ years of working with communities, regions and supporting organizations. They offer you guided access…
Trail Sustainability Institute
The Trail Sustainability Institute (TSI) is NWTA’s internal training classes for everything related to trail building. We want to make sure our trail builders are knowledgeable in not only how to build/maintain fun trails, but ensure those trails…
Trails Certificate
Gain insight into best practices related to the design, construction and maintenance of trails. Learn about and apply techniques that can enhance, rehabilitate and protect trails and greenways. Participants will also learn about trail…
Sustainable Trails Development
The Sustainable Trails curriculum welcomes students from various fields who are interested in trails development, programming and management, as well as design.
PCTA Trail Skills Course
Because wildfires, wind storms, floods, gravity, and vegetation growth are constant threats to the PCT, the annual maintenance and reconstruction of the trail is a never-ending and monumental undertaking. Such work, historically carried out by…
Skill Library
Project Planning and Design
Trail Sustainability Principles
Define Purpose, Need, and Feasibility of Project
Stakeholder Engagement
Land Use Plan Alignment
Corridor Planning
Trail Specifications
Conceptual Trail Plan Development
Field Design: Trail Alignment Identification and Marking
Project Cost Estimation
Trail Plan Development
Compliance and Permitting
Implementation Plan
Interpretation
Trail Inventory and Assessment
Operations and Maintenance Plan Development
Custom Trainings
There are 84 trainers on TrailSkills
with Implementation Plan experience
Nicholas Burns
Taos, NM
URG Conservation Program Coordinator
Rocky Mountain Youth Corps - New Mexico
Jonathan Szalewicz
Craftsbury Common, VT
Trails Volunteer Programs Supervisor
Appalachian Mountain Club
Hire Workers
There are 341 workers on TrailSkills
with Implementation Plan experience
Lee Jennings
Northampton, MA
landscape architect
Dodson and Flinker Landscape Architecture and Planning
Daisy O'conner
Asheville, NC
Transportation Planner II
French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization
Jonathan Szalewicz
Craftsbury Common, VT
Trails Volunteer Programs Supervisor
Appalachian Mountain Club
Walter Opuszynski
Barre, VT
Forest Recreation Specialist
Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation
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