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Partnering Agencies/Organizations

American Trails
American Trails is a national, nonprofit organization working on behalf of all trail interests, including hiking, bicycling, mountain biking, horseback riding, water trails, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, trail motorcycling, ATVs, snowmobiling and four-wheeling. Their goal is to support America's trails by finding common ground and promoting cooperation among all trail interests. They are involved in everything from training trails advocates to providing increased trail opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Federal Highway Administration - Recreation Trails Program
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is an assistance program of the Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).  Federal transportation funds benefit recreation by making funds available to the States to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both nonmotorized and motorized recreational trail uses. 

National Park Service - LWCF
The Land and Water Conservation Fund provides matching grants to States and local governments for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. The program is intended to create and maintain a nationwide legacy of high quality recreation areas and facilities and to stimulate non-federal investments in the protection and maintenance of recreation resources across the United States.

Regional Planning Commissions

Regional Planning Commissions (RPC’s) provide municipalities in each region with a wide range of planning services and should be the first stop for local officials seeking planning assistance.

Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP)
In order to receive support from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, each state must prepare a Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, otherwise known as SCORP.  This plan evaluates the quality and need for outdoor recreation and seeks public opinion regarding recreational opportunities throughout the state.

Vermont League of Cities & Towns (VLCT)
The Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that serves Vermont's municipal officials. The League provides: educational workshops and consulting advice for municipal officials so that they can deliver excellent service to their citizens, information for the public so that it can better understand local government, support for legislation that strengthens local government, comprehensive insurance coverage for municipalities, and a Municipal Assistance Center for consultation on a wide range of municipal issues.

Vermont Recreation & Parks Association (VRPA)
The Vermont Recreation and Parks Association provides support services and programs for professionals and volunteers who advocate high quality recreation and park experiences for the people and visitors of Vermont.

Vermont Trails & Greenways Council (VTGC)
The Vermont Trails & Greenways Council (VTGC) helps plan for the future of Vermont's recreational activities. It promotes the development and maintenance of trails, coordinates public and private trail efforts, encourages education programs, and recommends the allocation of funds of trail and greenway programs. The most important role of the Council is to give all of Vermont's recreational community the vehicle for working together as a cohesive unit to advance recreation in Vermont.

Resources

University of Minnesota Trail Library

Browse an enormous index of publications relating to the planning, design, construction and maintenance of all types of trails.

Univeristy of Minnesota: Recreational Trail Design and Construction

This resource outlines some basic design and construction techiniques.  Highly recommended as an initial foray into trail building.

Coalition for Recreational Trails

Provides a searchable database of projects funded through the RTP between 1993 and 2005.

Professional Trailbuilders Association

North America’s largest private sector group of trail specialists, professional trail contractors, designers, and consultants.

US Forest Service National Trail Drawings and Specifications

A formidable list of trail structure diagrams available online.

Federal Highway Administration: Trail Construction and Maintenance Notebook

A fairly comprehensive manual describing basic trail building techniques and practices .

International Mountain Bike Association: Trail Design Book

An in-depth look at trail design from the perspective of mountain bikers.

Agency of Transportation: Vermont Pedestrian & Bicycle Facility Planning & Design Manual

A detailed guide aimed at helping organizations and individuals plan, design, construct, and maintain pedestrian and bicycle facilities in a variety of settings throughout Vermont.

National Off-Hwy Vehicle Conservation Council: Park Guidelines for Off-Hwy Vehicles

This manual details the step-by-step development of new OHV parks for an ever growing population of American riders.

USFS: Trail Design Parameters

Design specifications based on the intended uses of a particular trail.

American Trails: Universal Trail Assessment Process

A portion of the American Trails website dedicated to the Universal Trail Assessment Process.  Offers a sleuth of information as well as opportunities to receive training.

Recreation Trails Program: Publications

List of publications and other resources that provide insight into the planning and decision making process common to building a successful recreational trails program that focuses on accessibility, safety, and good environmental practices.

Nova Scotia Trails Federation

NSTF has an amazinging detailed Trail Construction Manual that covers the trail building process from start to finish.  Its packed with loads of information, diagrams and helpful tips.

Trail Design Professionals

Vermont Youth Conservation Corps

Green Mountain Club

Vermont Association of Snow Travelers

Vermont ATV Sportsman’s Association

NorthWoods Stewardship Center

Catamount Trail Association

Kingdom Trails Association

Consulting Foresters Association of Vermont

Training Opportunities

Vermont Outdoor Guide Association

VOGA provides a number of CPR, First Aid, WFA and WFR trainings throughout the course of the year.

Green Mountain Club

A long-standing Vermont organization that holds both workshops and outing opportunities.

Colorado Outdoor Training Initiative

A Colorado based organization offering a wealth of training within Colorado as well as at your own organization.

* If you would like to be added to this list please contact us