Interpretation

Skill Definition

Identify specific interpretive and educational opportunities on trails to contextualize the visitor experience (e.g., history, habitats, scenery, flora/fauna), and make recommendations for interpretive method.


Resources for Interpretation:

Documents and MediaVideo TrainingsTraining Programs
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Resources for Interpretation

Signs, Trails, and Wayside Exhibits
Signs, Trails, and Wayside Exhibits

This sourcebook is a comprehensive, visual guide to planning, designing, and fabricating effective wayside exhibits, information signs, and trails. Over 400 photographs from interpretive sites around the world illustrate effective techniques for…

North Country Trail Handbook
North Country Trail Handbook

The North Country National Scenic Trail (NST) extends for thousands of miles across seven states. Its layout, design, construction, and maintenance require the participation of a myriad of individuals and groups.

THE INTERTWINE Regional Trails Signage Guidelines
THE INTERTWINE Regional Trails Signage Guidelines

This manual serves as a technical resource to guide parks and transportation agencies as they plan, design, and fabricate wayfinding signage along regional trails in the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area.

Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Interpretive Plan
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Interpretive Plan

The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST) Interpretive Plan guides the development and implementation of information, orientation and interpretation for the CDNST. Specifically, this plan includes interpretive goals, objectives, themes,…


Trail Skills Training Library

Recorded Trainings for Interpretation

Wilderness Trails: Special Places, Special Considerations.
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,…

Introduction to Trail Management (Part 3 of 3)
Introduction to Trail Management (Part 3 of 3)

One part of a three-part series on the Introduction to Trail Planning, Design and Development, and Management. PART THREE: In the Introduction to Trail Management we will discuss visitor and maintenance management.


Further Education

Training Programs for Interpretation

IMBA Trail Solutions Advanced Trail Building School
IMBA Trail Solutions Advanced Trail Building School

Partner with IMBA Trail Solutions and create with confidence. By deploying a complete range of skills–including visioning, detailed design, professional construction, and training for stewardship–our comprehensive approach saves resources.

Trails Certificate
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
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
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…

Advancing Trails Webinar Series
Advancing Trails Webinar Series

American Trails brings agencies, trail builders, planners, architects, advocates, and volunteers the latest in state-of-the-art information on all aspects of trails and greenways. Our webinars focus on a variety of trail topics, usually applicable…

Custom Trainings

There are 43 trainers on TrailSkills
with Interpretation experience.

Kevin

Kevin Simpson

Mountain Surf Creative

Contractor Trainer Higher Education

Quincy, CA

Kevin founded Mountain Surf Creative in 2023 as a way to bring creative solutions to trail related…

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Hire Workers

There are 165 profiles on TrailSkills
with Interpretation experience.

Jeremiah

Jeremiah Clark

National Park Service

Agency

Kula, HI

I have trail maintenance and construction experience through Timberline Trailcraft LLC as a Trail…

Matt

Matt Rowell

USDA Forest Service

Agency

Ketchum, ID

I act as a trails and recreation supervisor for the Ketchum Ranger District of the Sawtooth…

Lindsey

Lindsey Eoff

USDA Forest Service

Agency

Lake Isabella, CA

pascal

pascal lachance

Nonprofit

Saint-Donat-De-Montcalm

Liam

Liam Hickey

Middlebury Area Land Trust

Nonprofit

Middlebury, VT

Liam is a conservation enthusiast with a strong interest in trail work and publicly accessible…

William

William Jones

USDA Forest Service

Trainer Agency

Hood River, OR

In my sixth year working wilderness, motorized, and non-motorized trails for the Forest Service;…

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Contact Us

Know of a good resource for this skill? Let us know! From webinars, to workshops, to PDFs, we'd like to add them to our resource library.

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Trail Skills Collaborators
Federal Highway Administration USDA Forest Service National Park Service Bureau of Land Management
American Trails Professional TrailBuilders Association Partnership for the National Trails System Northern Vermont University Northwest Arkansas Community College Eppley Institute Corps Network