Using Mechanized Equipment for New Trail Construction - SOLD OUT

2.5 Day Workshop
Classroom and Field-based learning
Dates:
Thursday 3/21, 1 pm - 5 pm (Classroom)
Friday 3/22, 8 am - 5 pm (Morning Classroom, Afternoon Field)
Saturday 3/23, 8 am - 5 pm (Field)
The field site is 30 minutes away, so attendees will carpool to the site.
Cost: $800
Level: Intermediate and Expert

Instructors: 
Cam Lockwood, Trails Unlimited, PTBA Member Company

Description: This 2.5 day course includes the topics of safety, job hazard analysis, propulsion and hydraulic systems, new trail construction techniques, and operation.  After classroom sessions, participants will engage in field-based learning where instructors and participants will build a portion of a new trail using a trail dozer and mini-excavator. 

Attendees will need to provide their own PPE (personal protective equipment) including gloves, boots, hearing protection, long sleeve shirt, and hard hat for field exercises. In addition, attendees should come prepared for wet or hot weather. Much of the course is in the field and will conduct the field portions regardless of weather. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the cost of mechanized equipment and their operations 

2. Understand Trail Management Objectives (TMO’s) and job hazard analysis and apply the concepts to mechanized trail construction operations

3. Apply sustainable trail design to utilizing a trail dozer and other mechanized equipment.

4.  Learn the basic skills for building new trail using a trail dozer and other mechanized equipment.

Instructor:

Cam Lockwood, Owner, Trails Unlimited (PTBA Member Company)

Before founding Trails Unlimited, Cam worked for the federal government for more than 40 years. Through Trails Unlimited, he continues to provide private consulting services focused on sustainable trail development, management, and training the next generation.

Trails Unlimited helped to write the National Trail Contracts, Standards, and Drawings, supported the production of several trail program videos and “Tech Tips” Technical Papers, and is one of a few trail management companies to develop a series of Training Modules with detailed manuals, exercises, and field applications.

Introduction to Mechanized Equipment

Date/Time: Monday, 3/18, 8 am - 12 pm
Half-Day Workshop
Field-based learning
Cost: $250
Level: Beginner

Instructor: 
Preston York, FlowMotion Trail Builders, LLC

This half-day workshop will provide a side by side by side comparison of a suite of mechanized equipment which will include an Engcon Excavator, Mini-Excavator, Sutter 300 and 500, a mini skid steer, full skid steer, a canycom, and more. The session will feature demonstration and discussion of tread compaction, trail construction, earth moving, and shaping (i.e. berms, lips, and table tops) related to the different machines on site. There will be time for participants to try out beginner level tasks on the machines as well as lots of time for Q&A.

Instructor: Preston York, FlowMotion Trail Builders, LLC

William Preston York, MBA the owner/operator of the FlowMotion Trail Builders LLC, located in Anniston, AL has been a professional trail building entity for over 10 years and during this time, has erformed Multi-Use trail design and construction of over 100 miles in 18 unique locations in 5 states.

Stonework for Trails

2.5 Day Workshop
Classroom and Field-based learning
Dates:
Thursday 3/21, 1 pm - 5 pm (Classroom)
Friday 3/22, 8 am - 5 pm (Field)
Saturday 3/23, 8 am - 5 pm (Field)
Cost: $800
Level: Intermediate and Expert

Instructors: 
Erin Amadon, Town 4 Trail Services, LLC
Willie Bittner, Great Lakes Trail Builders, LLC

Description: Stonework is not for everyone. However, for those with patience, attention to detail, a hard work ethic, and a general love for puzzles, stonework can be one of the most rewarding forms of trail work because of its longevity and aesthetic. This two and a half-day workshop will explore the ideal rock size and shapes for structures, safe transportation methods, and construction techniques for stone structures.

Day one (1/2 day) of the workshop will highlight different examples of stonework through a photographic representation of completed projects. Day two will focus on the planning, design, and layout of your stone project while beginning a field-based project. Day three of the workshop will focus on finishing the field-based project.

Emphasis will be placed on proper moving techniques, stone shaping, and stone setting. Participants will demonstrate the trail skills by applying knowledge learned through hands-on demonstration throughout the workshops. Participants will receive direct feedback from the instructor on how to improve techniques. Participants should plan on bringing hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection, work gloves, sturdy boots, lunch, and water for the workshop. This workshop is suitable for recreation planners, land managers, trail advocates, policymakers, designers, architects, trail stewards, volunteers, trail builders, trail contractors, and trail enthusiasts.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify and describe what type of stone structure is needed and why.
2. Demonstrate appropriate body mechanics and safe stone moving techniques.
3. Demonstrate proper stone stetting practices.

INSTRUCTORS:
Erin Amadon, Owner, Town 4 Trail Services
Erin Amadon’s passion for trail work began over two decades ago when she first served as a member of a youth conservation corps, and she has been doing trail work ever since.  She currently is the owner of Town 4 Trail Services based out of Troy, ME.

As a former Training Coordinator for the Maine Conservation Corps, Erin developed and implemented an eleven-week environmental training curriculum for the Trail Training Academy.  Erin is committed to youth conservation work and supporting the next generation of trail builders through her work as a Conservation Work Skills Instructor for the Student Conservation Association and in her role on the Maine Conservation Corps Advisory Board. Erin holds a United States Forest Service Sawyer certification, Wilderness First Responder, CPR, OSHA 10 Hour Construction Safety & Health, Leave No Trace Trainer, and American Canoe Association quick start certifications. 

Willie Bittner, Owner, Great Lakes Trailbuilders
Willie Bittner started working on trails 20 years ago with the Wisconsin DNR and over the years he has worked from coast to coast building trails and teaching the different methods and styles to volunteer groups, conservation corps and state and federal agencies. He founded Great Lakes Trailbuilders, LLC  in 2008 to bring a low impact and environmentally friendly approach to trailbuilding and design to the Midwest. 

As owner and lead designer, Willie is dedicated to sharing his experiences, engaging users and developing leading edge trails.  His projects have taken him from designing new National Parks trails in Patagonia to co-founding WisCorps, Inc. a Wisconsin based Conservation Corps to leading trainings on everything from sustainable trail construction to trail psychology and rigging.

Stone Splitting and Shaping

1/2 Day Workshop- Field-based learning
Date: Monday March 18
Time: 8 am - 12:00 pm
Cost: $250
Level: All levels

Instructors: 
Erin Amadon, Town 4 Trail Services, LLC
Willie Bittner, Great Lakes Trail Builders, LLC

Description: This 4-hour seminar will teach students how to transform native rock into useable building stones for steps and walls. Subjects to be covered include how to read and analyze a stones structure so that it will yield the most material; how to split stone into the desired dimensions using rotary hammer drills, feathers, and wedges; how to shape stones using various shaping hammers and chisels including stone busters, points, sets, and more. Participants can expect to leave the workshop, knowing the basics of how to shape stone into usable blocks for stone structures.

This fee includes nationally recognized instructors, stone splitting and shaping related equipment, and limited PPE. Participants should plan on bringing hard hats, safety glasses, work gloves, sturdy boots, and water. Participants will show how stone splitting and shaping tools work by applying knowledge learned through hands-on demonstration throughout the workshop. Participants will receive direct feedback from the instructors on how to improve stone splitting and shaping techniques. By the end of the workshop, participants will make professional connections with PTBA member companies, fellow trail builders, supporters, and volunteers alike.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will analyze and identify the proper location on a stone to split.

• Participants will demonstrate correct tool use for different types of stone shaping techniques.

• Participants will demonstrate proper body mechanics and safe splitting procedures.

INSTRUCTORS:
Erin Amadon, Owner, Town 4 Trail Services
Erin Amadon’s passion for trail work began over two decades ago when she first served as a member of a youth conservation corps, and she has been doing trail work ever since.  She currently is the owner of Town 4 Trail Services based out of Troy, ME.

As a former Training Coordinator for the Maine Conservation Corps, Erin developed and implemented an eleven-week environmental training curriculum for the Trail Training Academy.  Erin is committed to youth conservation work and supporting the next generation of trail builders through her work as a Conservation Work Skills Instructor for the Student Conservation Association and in her role on the Maine Conservation Corps Advisory Board. Erin holds a United States Forest Service Sawyer certification, Wilderness First Responder, CPR, OSHA 10 Hour Construction Safety & Health, Leave No Trace Trainer, and American Canoe Association quick start certifications. 

Willie Bittner, Owner, Great Lakes Trailbuilders
Willie Bittner started working on trails 20 years ago with the Wisconsin DNR and over the years he has worked from coast to coast building trails and teaching the different methods and styles to volunteer groups, conservation corps and state and federal agencies. He founded Great Lakes Trailbuilders, LLC  in 2008 to bring a low impact and environmentally friendly approach to trailbuilding and design to the Midwest. 

As owner and lead designer, Willie is dedicated to sharing his experiences, engaging users and developing leading edge trails.  His projects have taken him from designing new National Parks trails in Patagonia to co-founding WisCorps, Inc. a Wisconsin based Conservation Corps to leading trainings on everything from sustainable trail construction to trail psychology and rigging.

Real Trail Assessment: Seeing the Trail Through the Eyes of a Professional

Half-day pre-Conference Workshop
Field-based Learning
Monday, March 18, 8 am - 12 pm
COST: $250
Level: All levels

Instructor:
Mike Riter, Trail Design Specialists, PTBA Member Company

DESCRIPTION: This 1/2 day pre-conference workshop features on the trail education focused on the basics of trail assessment including erosion and user-created problems. The workshop will include reading grades with a clinometer and applying an understanding of slope and trail grade to trail assessment. The group will identify and discuss the right and wrong segments of trail as well as possible solutions to perceived problems. Discussion will include strategies for water management, user management, and re-routes.

Learning Objectives:

• Reading trail and landscape grades and understanding relationship between those grades, water movement, and trail durability.

• Understanding the causes and symptoms of sustainability challenges related to trail use, maintenance, and management.

• Understanding nuances of sustainable trail design

• Evaluate solutions to trail problems

INSTRUCTOR: Mike Riter, Trail Design Specialists, PTBA Member Company
Mike is the president of Trail Design Specialists, a full service trail company focusing on trail design, construction and maintenance as well as planning, consulting and creative problem solving. Additionally Mike has provided education courses to more than 1500 people including the Trail Master certification, Trail Assessment and Mechanized Trail Construction. Before founding Trail Design Specialists in 1999, Mike was a founding member of the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew, an education and stewardship program built upon his knowledge, experience and understanding of sustainable trail design, construction and maintenance.

Trail Master Lite: Sustainable Trail design, Construction and Maintenance - SOLD OUT

2-day Post-Conference Workshop
Classroom and Field-based Learning
COST: $800
DATES/TIMES:
Thursday, 3/21: 1 pm - 5 pm
Friday, 3/22: 8 am - 5 pm
Saturday 3/23: 8 am - 12 pm

INSTRUCTOR: Mke Riter, Trail Design Specialists, PTBA Member Company
Level: All levels

DESCRIPTION: This is a 2-day (LITE) version of Trail Design Specialists’ Trail Master Certification Class (typically 4 days).  This workshop will touch on the latest advances in trail design, construction and maintenance with a focus on long-term sustainability and ease of maintenance.

Participants will be provided with the book "A better way" which is a trail manual for creating sustainable trails for single and shared use. Topics will include how to properly design and lay out a trail, how to avoid erosion and other environmental issues, how to handle user conflicts, proper, modern construction techniques for sustainability, how to close and rehabilitate existing trails, and a host of other topics. The course will include both classroom learning and hands-on practical trail experience.

COST: $800

DATES: Two Day Workshop (over 3 days)
Thursday, 3/21: 1 pm - 5 pm
Friday, 3/22: 8 am - 5 pm
Saturday 3/23: 8 am - 12 pm

INSTRUCTOR: Mke Riter, Trail Design Specialists, PTBA Member Company
Mike is the president of Trail Design Specialists, a full service trail company focusing on trail design, construction and maintenance as well as planning, consulting and creative problem solving. Additionally Mike has provided education courses to more than 1500 people including the Trail Master certification, Trail Assessment and Mechanized Trail Construction. Before founding Trail Design Specialists in 1999, Mike was a founding member of the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew, an education and stewardship program built upon his knowledge, experience and understanding of sustainable trail design, construction and maintenance.