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

Related Training Programs

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Upcoming Trainings for Project Preparation

Trail Skills Institute Module 4: Trail Design and Layout
Arizona Trail Association
Arizona Trail Association
Trail Skills Institute Module 4: Trail Design and Layout

April 06 - 07, 2024

Tucson, Arizona

Facilitator Training for Making Meetings Work and Consensus That Works
The Harbinger Consultancy
The Harbinger Consultancy
Tell the Economic Story of Your Conserved Lands and Trails Without Hiring an Economist
The Harbinger Consultancy
The Harbinger Consultancy
Outdoor Recreation Roadmap: Leverage Natural Assets for Economic Success & Local Renewal
The Harbinger Consultancy
The Harbinger Consultancy

Custom Trainings

There are 47 trainers on TrailSkills
with Project Preparation experience.

Charlotte

Charlotte Staats

Adirondack Mountain Club

Contractor Trainer Nonprofit

Lake Placid, NY

I am a seasoned trail builder who has worked on trails in New York State since 2015. I've worked…

Daniel

Daniel Briceño

San Diego Mountain Biking Association

Contractor Trainer Nonprofit

Chula Vista, CA

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…

Travis

Travis Taylor

Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship

Contractor Trainer Nonprofit

Santa Cruz, CA

Mike

Mike Passo

American Trails

Contractor Trainer Nonprofit

Bellingham, WA

Mike Passo is the Executive Director of American Trails. Mike has also served as the Executive…

Search and sort all 47 trainers

Hire Workers

There are 186 profiles on TrailSkills
with Project Preparation experience.

Damien

Damien Theophano

Friends of the Wissahickon

Nonprofit

Philadelphia, PA

Jeremy

Jeremy Poore

McDowell Tech Community College

Contractor Trainer Higher Education

Old Fort, NC

I'm in the process of building McDowell Tech Trail School into a national-level Trail Construction…

Jason

Jason Welker

Pend Oreille Pedalers

Nonprofit

Sandpoint, ID

Pend Oreille Pedalers is Sandpoint's non-profit cycling club and trails organization. With 700…

Mike

Mike Thomas

Agency

Salt Lake City, UT

Brennan

Brennan Turner

Baxter State Park

Agency

Millinocket, ME

Lindsay

Lindsay Williams

Rocky Mountain Field Institute

Contractor Nonprofit

Colorado Springs, CO

I worked my way up at Rocky Mountain Field Institute (RMFI) starting as crew on the ground building…

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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