Project Preparation

Project Preparation Skills Include:

    Land Use Plan Alignment

    Identify elements of the general management, forest, or comprehensive resource management plans as they relate to the trail project.

    Define Purpose and Need of Project

    Use primary data (e.g., stakeholder outreach, trail use data, trail counters) and secondary data (e.g., planning documents, natural and cultural resource survey information, and site-specific resource limitations including soils, hydrology, geology, slope) to define the purpose of the proposed project and the need that it will meet.

    Corridor Planning

    Identify potential areas (broad corridors) that meet the purpose and need of the project. Work with staff and partners to assess the proposed corridor(s) by analyzing resource data and management plan alignment.

    Stakeholder Engagement

    Identify all the external interested individuals, agencies, and private organizations to inform an outreach strategy. Integrate public education opportunities throughout planning, construction, and maintenance efforts.

    Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Principles

    Engage with local and regional communities, as well as groups representing ethnically, socially, and economically diverse populations, to address specific trail management issues.


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Resources for Project Preparation

Engaging New Leaders
Engaging New Leaders

Developing volunteer leaders who are able to effectively manage other volunteers is one of the most important ways you can strengthen and build a strong volunteer program. This guide focuses on the recruitment of volunteer leaders, specifically…

Youth Engagement
Youth Engagement

A key component to a successful youth volunteer program is knowing that youth require a different approach than adult groups when it comes to keeping them motivated, safe and productive. This guide provides tools and strategies for meaningful youth…

Community Outreach
Community Outreach

There are many opportunities to get the word out to your community about your programs and projects – and many ways to ensure you are sharing valuable information and stories about where your programs and projects are taking place, what the…

The Value of Trail Assessments
The Value of Trail Assessments

Hosted in partnership with the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council, this webinar will cover not only the importance of conducting trail assessments but also how to turn those assessments into descriptive reports that facilitate trail…

Further Education

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Upcoming Trainings for Project Preparation

Custom Trainings

There are 49 trainers on TrailSkills
with Project Preparation experience.

Mariah

Mariah Keagy

Sinuosity

Contractor Trainer

Morristown, VT

Mariah Keagy began her career in trail construction and reconstruction in the Green Mountains…

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Hire Workers

There are 194 profiles on TrailSkills
with Project Preparation experience.

Matt

Matt Able

USDA Forest Service

Agency

Winchester, KY

Renee

Renee Patrick

Contractor

Bend, OR

I guide long-distance trail organizations, hikers, and the outdoor industry to improve the hiking…

Joe

Joe Gibson

National Park Service

Agency

San Francisco, CA

Macfarland

Macfarland Gibson

Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (CFI)

Nonprofit

Flagstaff, AZ

Morgan

Morgan Wendt

Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa

Agency Corps

Saint Paul, MN

Based at the St Paul office of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, my job is to support…

Caelan

Caelan Parker

USDA Forest Service

Trainer Agency

Mccall, ID

I am an early-career trails professional with the Forest Service. I have seven Agency field seasons…

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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