About PTBA

Photo: Town 4 Trail Services

Who we are:

PTBA is the trade association for the trail industry representing companies who plan, design and build trails worldwide. PTBA represents private sector companies who employ ~2000 trailbuilders.

As an organization, PTBA works to:

  • Promote quality and professionalism in the trail industry

  • Engage the next generation of trail professionals

  • Support the community of PTBA member companies

Vision:

The Professional Trailbuilders' Association represents the leading edge in sustainable trail development; we believe in trail design, construction, management and advocacy that enhance resource protection, recreational opportunities, economic development, active citizens, and connected communities worldwide.

Mission:

The Professional Trailbuilders' Association brings great trails to life; we advance the trails industry through professional design, construction, advocacy, and education.

PTBA's Primary Activities

  • Promoting the professionalization of the trails industry;

  • Inspiring and empowering the next generation of trailbuilders;

  • Promoting professional trail contracting and consulting as cost-effective ways to design, build, and maintain high-quality trails;

  • Establishing the importance of sustainable trails realized through skillful trail design, construction, and maintenance;

  • Helping trail contractors improve skills and abilities;

  • Improving industry conditions for members to market their services to federal, state, and local governments, special districts, non-profit organizations, and private landowners;

  • Providing networking opportunities between members and within the trails community;

  • Serving as the organized voice of private trail contractors with governments and other organizations; and

  • Hosting the annual Sustainable Trails Conference to further the above goals.

 

SUPPORTING QUALITY TRAILBUILDING SINCE 1976

Founded in 1976 as the Western Trailbuilders Association and renamed in 2004, the Professional Trailbuilders Association (PTBA) is the world’s only private sector group of trail specialists, professional trail contractors, designers, and consultants.

All of PTBA’s activities support quality trail design, construction, and maintenance for all types of trails in all types of locations. In its early years, PTBA served to define and nurture a new industry—private trail contracting for the federal government, primarily the USDA Forest Service - and PTBA continues to support our growing industry through education, advocacy, member company support, and workforce development.

 

PTBA is a member of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable

The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) promotes the growth of the outdoor recreation economy and outdoor recreation activities. ORR educates decision makers and the public on balanced policies that conserve public lands and waterways and enhance infrastructure to improve the experience and quality of life of outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. Advancing these values is critical to growing outdoor recreation in the United States, which already accounts for $788 billion in annual economic output coming from the activities of America’s 144 million outdoor enthusiasts.