PTBA Webinars

Photo: Rock Solid Trail Contracting

Upcoming Webinars

Navigating NEPA in Trail Development
1/9/24

Navigating the regulatory waters from trail plan through construction can be a daunting process, especially on federal lands when the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) applies. This webinar is a deeper dive into NEPA as an extension of a past webinar:  Approvals, Permitting and Compliance (2023). This webinar will help answer key questions related to NEPA and trail development: What is NEPA?  How do you know if you need it?  How long does it take? What is a FONSI (Finding Of No Significant Impact)? What is a Categorical Exclusion (CE)? What is the difference between EA (Environmental Assessment)  and EIS (Environmental Impact Statement)? What does compliance look like after the NEPA process?  In addition to definitions and processes, this webinar will provide real-life examples of trail development projects that took different routes to navigating NEPA.  

Speaker:
Scott Linnenburger, Kay-Linn Enterprises, LLC

Past Webinars

Fundamentals of Aggregate
Surface Trails

12/6/24: Whether you are looking to develop a trail that is suitable for use in all seasons or by all abilities, properly installing an aggregate surface can be an integral strategy for enhancing tread durability, sustainability and user experience. After a general introduction to various types of trail surfacing, this webinar will focus on design and construction factors specific to aggregate surfaced trails. In terms of design, speakers will discuss how slope, soil, watershed, and designed use shape an aggregate surface trail project. Speakers will then delve into the construction logistics and specialized techniques including material transport, specialized equipment, and tread compaction.

Speakers:
Jed Talbot, OBP Trailworks, LLC
Erin Amadon, Town 4 Trail Services, LLC

Basic Soil Mechanics for Trailbuilding

11/7/24: Soil types vary widely all over the world - and even on a single trail!  Understanding the physical characteristics of soil and having the ability to categorize soil is VERY important to successful trailbuilding. This session will provide applicable knowledge of soil including soil description, grain size distribution and its measurement, clay plasticity, and compaction curves and the importance of water.

Speaker: Alex Man, PhD, Trail Tutors

Trail Competencies and Skills

10/17/24: In July 2024, the Trail Skills Project released an updated Trail Competency Framework with new competencies and further defined the skills (entry, full, expert) associated with each competency. 

Speakers will discuss the update, process, and the new skill breakouts for each competency as well as how they are being used for program and curriculum development, workforce development efforts, bolstering trail stewardship capacity, and professionalization of the trail industry. 

Speakers: Aaryn Kay, PTBA Mike Passo, American Trails
Megan Bolinder, Northwest Arkansas Community College

Trail Assessment for Accessibility and Sustainability

2/29/24: This webinar will explore the process of assessing natural surface pedestrian trails for accessibility and sustainability. The presentation will focus on developing new trails as well as conversion of existing trails.

Speaker:
Peter Jensen, Peter Jensen and Associates

Risk Management during Trail Construction

1/11/24: There are many potential hazards that may be encountered during trail building. Without proper mitigation, some of these hazards may result in injury, death, or financial impacts to those involved in the project. This webinar will discuss best practices to reduce risk to your trail crew, company, agency, or organization during trail construction activities.

Speaker: Kevin Joell, Sierra Trailworks

Trail Planning and Design: Foundations of Success

12/7/23: Trail planning and design utilize a variety of approaches, tools, and techniques. This webinar will review several common approaches and technologies and provide attendees with real world examples of trail planning and design projects. Additionally, we’ll explore the phases of trail planning and design and the specific outputs associated with: trail feasibility studies, conceptual plans, master plans, field design and specification.

Speakers:
Jon Altschuld, Chinook Landscape Architecture
Jeremy Wimpey, Applied Trails Research

Approvals, Permits, and Compliance

11/2/23: Navigating the regulatory waters from trail plan through construction can be a daunting process. There are the questions of: “who approves what?”, “do we need a permit?”, “how do you get a permit, who is the applicant, and how long will it take? ”, “what are limits during construction?”, and “what documentation is required before, during, and after construction?” Unfortunately, the answers to these questions vary from place to place and even between jurisdictions in the same place. This webinar will walk through the typical processes, jurisdictions, timelines, and documentation needed to get a conceptual trail project through approval and implementation. From local ordinances, to state level land disturbance, and federal Corps of Engineers and NEPA, participants will be primed to ask the right questions, find the assistance they need, and get a project through the various regulatory spaces required to complete a trail project.

Speakers:
Scott Linnenburger, Kay-Linn Enterprises
Phil Penny, Rogue Trails

From SOQ to IDIQ: Trail Contracting Models

10/7/21: This webinar explored different trail contracting models. Speakers discussed the contractual elements of trail design and trail construction, bidding models, and hybrid opportunities with volunteers and/or youth corps. Speakers addressed typical confusions and pros/cons of a range of models for trail contracting.

Mechanized Trailbuilding - A Primer

12/2/21: Mechanized trailbuilding has revolutionized the trail industry over the last 25 years. From specialized dozers to mini-excavators to crawler carriers, the advantages of small earthmovers include faster rates of production and the ability to sculpt a more consistent trail tread. Through a combination of field footage and expert speakers, this webinar providds a primer on mechanized trailbuilding equipment including Mini-Excavators, Trail Dozers, Tracked Dumpers and Haulers, Skid Steers/Mini Skid Steers, and Compactors. The speakers discussed: pros/cons; matching mechanized equipment to your environment, budget, and trail specifications; workforce, experience and training; modifications/attachments; and repairs/maintenance.