National Collaboration Efforts on Federal Trail Data and Tools
This presentation will introduce interoperable trail spatial data standards, MAPLand Act efforts, as well as provide updates on the USGS trail data and tools.
Trail Inventory and Assessment
Skill Definition
Inventory and assess existing trails and their conditions, identifying causes of trail degradation (e.g., water, grades, soil conditions, users, and/or use patterns) and the appropriate actions to address the deficiencies
Entry Level Performance
- Identify physical signs of water-caused and user-caused degradation
- Collect relevant data (trail condition, needs, and location) to assist with network inventory and assessment
Full Performance Level
- Recommend trail network additions and closures, based on trail system goals and resources
- Identify causes of trail degradation and the appropriate prescription to match trail system specifications
Expert Level Performance
- Lead a full trail sustainability assessment, including all relevant physical, social, and managerial factors
- Integrate agency-specific systems when applicable (i.e. TRACS/TMOs)
Resources for Trail Inventory and Assessment
Video Trainings
• Training Programs
• Calendar
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Trail Skills Training Library
Recorded Trainings for Trail Inventory and Assessment
Trail Assessment for Accessibility and Sustainability
This webinar will explore the process of assessing natural surface pedestrian trails for accessibility and sustainability and will focus on developing new trails as well as conversion of existing trails.
An Equitable Approach to Trail Development: Circuit Trails Gap Analysis
In this webinar, PEC coworkers and co-creators of the Circuit Trails Gap Analysis will provide an introduction to the genesis, development, and implementation of the Gap Analysis, including a look at their online mapping portal and recent real-world…
The Science of Sustainable Trail Design and Management
This webinar will describe the three most common forms of trail impact, identify the most influential factors to develop and maintain sustainable trail networks, and discuss methods for rating trail sustainability. Presented by: Jeffrey Marion,…
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…
Technology in Trail Building and Planning: Drones and LiDAR
The use of emerging and evolving technologies such as drones, photogrammetry, RTK GPS, 3D modeling, and LiDAR technology to inventory and analyze existing trail conditions.
Further Education
Training Programs for Trail Inventory and Assessment
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…
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…
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
Training Calendar
Upcoming Trainings for Trail Inventory and Assessment
Custom Trainings
There are 35 trainers on TrailSkills
with Trail Inventory and Assessment experience
Rick Landenberger
Morgantown, WV
Service Associate Professor and Science & Management Specialist for the West Virginia Land Trust
West Virginia University
Walt Bready
Blairsville, GA
Richard Edwards
Morgantown, WV
Assistant Director of Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure
West Virginia University
Jonathan Szalewicz
Craftsbury Common, VT
Trails Volunteer Programs Supervisor
Appalachian Mountain Club
Hire Workers
There are 116 workers on TrailSkills
with Trail Inventory and Assessment experience
Caitlin Mccarthy
Northampton, MA
Trail Programs Manager, Southern New England
Appalachian Mountain Club
Jonathan Drabek
Carrollton, TX
Arbor Hills MTB Trail Steward
Dallas Off-Road Bicycling Association (DORBA)
Kimberly Bradley
Hartford, CT
CT Trails and Greenways Coordinator
Connecticut State Parks Division, Department of Environmental Protection
Suggest a Resource
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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