Trail Skills Institute Sessions

This collaboration between the Arizona Trail Association (ATA) and American Conservation Experience (ACE) will teach valuable skills to volunteers, including those who have been involved in trail projects for many years. Drawing upon thousands of hours on the trail and in the classroom, including some of the most daunting trail projects you can imagine, ACE staff will inspire, educate, and give you the skills you need to be an effective steward and trail volunteer. From learning more about arid lands hydrology and how it relates to trail sustainability, to building rock check dams and realigning portions of poorly built trail, these sessions include time-tested techniques and innovative principles. Each training will take place entirely outdoors, with a focus on experiential learning. While there will be talks and demonstrations, the instructors have found that classroom time is never as valuable as time on the trail and a PowerPoint is no replacement for a pick mattock. Each training session is designed to benefit veteran trail dogs and first-timers alike. This is accomplished through various modules presented within the trainings:

Module 4: Re-route Design and Trail Layout

• Learn the principals of trail design and deciding between switchbacks and climbing turns.
• Learn the regulations and environmental laws behind constructing new trail.
• Learn why a trail needs to be realigned, and how to do that with minimal impact.
• Learn GPS route planning, corridor, and tight flagging to learn how to design a trail that any crew can see as you do.

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