Statewide Trails Conference, PLAN NOW, April 5th - 8th

[AKLJ8]

OK here is what I got from Jack...

[I][I][I]HI Craig,

If you have members focused on new trail development and/or maintenance,
grant writing (the ST Recreational Trail Grant program is often under
applied for in the motorized category), or the trail easement reservation
process, I'd recommend any or all of the following.

If you can only attend one session, I'd recommend attendance at the all-day
Wed pre-conference session "Best Trail Management Practices" being
facilitated by Kevin Meyers. He and the other speakers will highlight their
OHV/ATV trail construction and rehabilitation experiences around Alaska -
what's worked & what hasn't. It will also cover trail assessments, trail
location documentation, alignments, maintenance, and re-routing options.
Focus is on building or re-routing for sustainable trails. Cost is $40
including lunch. I've attached the latest copy I have, but I know there are
a couple of presenter changes this past week.

For the next two days, it's probably less expensive to get the conference
rate than paying for the daily rate unless you can only attend one or two
sessions total ($300 for 2 one day rates vs $250 for the conference rate)
unless you are an ARPA member (I didn't see your name on the Alaska Trails
membership list, but joining us either as an individual or trail
organization would get you the member rate).

I've included sessions that should give you some ammunition for better grant
writing as well as an understanding of the procedures and legal process to
reserve a trail easement (assuming this is something your club is interested
in doing with the borough and/or state). The early deadline was extended to
March 25, so you may want to contact Linda Ingham, Conference Coordinator
(lingham@co.fairbanks.ak.us or 459-1070) to see if the deadline has been
extended again or not. You have the correct form to use; be sure to return
it to Linda

On Thursday, I'd also suggest the "Trail Funding" panel 10:30AM-Noon; and
"Economic Benefits of Outdoor Recreation and Trails" (good info & background
for trail grants) Thu Apr 6 3:30PM-5:00PM.

On Friday Apr 7 8:30AM-10:00AM "Trail Policies, Politics, and Easements"
(MatSu Borough examples of over 2,000 miles of reserved trail easements -
how they did it), 10:30AM-Noon "Use of Mini-mechanized Equipment for Trail
Construction & Maintenance" (what works, what doesn't & how to know the
difference); and the Tread Lightly Principles 3:30PM-5:00PM (Tom Martin has
had to shorten up this session to only 1.5 hours - he may want some help if
anyone in Arctic Off-Road has taken the TL Master Trainer course and would
like to help him).

If your group is interested in building trails, the Trail Training sessions
on Fri afternoon and Saturday focus on training trail volunteers using hand
tools as well as trail crew leadership elements. Future sessions will
include more advanced training modules and some hand-held power tool
training.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any additional questions.

Jack

Jack Mosby
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