National Trails Training Partnership (NTTP):

The challenges involved in the care and development of trails are enormous. One of these challenges is shared by all the diverse kinds of trails advocates: the need for well-trained, effective volunteers and staff. Some backcountry trail groups have relied on experienced trail builders from the federal agencies, but the old-timers are retiring and new people with trails skills aren't necessarily being hired. In the same way, our volunteers don't always stick around for years, and training new people is hard work in itself. Greenway and rail-trail planners are also confronted with new problems and the need for better solutions.

Recognizing this need across America, a wide variety of agencies and national trail organizations representing all user groups have joined together to address the issue. The National Trails Training Partnership (NTTP) is an effort by trails advocates to improve opportunities for training for the nationwide trails community. The vision of the Partnership is "to ensure that the full range of skills, training and resource information is available to trail groups, communities, tribal governments, and state and federal agencies."

To put it another way, our goal is to help both staff and volunteers plan, design, enhance, build, interpret, protect, and maintain trails and greenways for all Americans. Obviously this covers a lot of ground-there are vast differences in the kinds of trails people are caring for, just as our climates and topography are diverse. The skills and experience required also vary tremendously. And finally, we must address the different needs of professionals and full-time staff as well as volunteers with varying levels of commitment.

We are happy to say that the NTTP concept has progressed to the action stage. After two years of discussion among organizations and federal and state representatives, the new Partnership has been created along with an ambitious set of tasks. A key resource was initial funding last fall from the Federal Highway Administration (FWHA). FHWA administers federal dollars for trails through the Recreational Trails Program, and allocates some funds for research, publications, and efforts like the NTTP. A Steering Committee has been developed to oversee the current efforts. NTTP development, coordination, publicity and Web site work is provided by American Trails in cooperation with the NTTP partners.

Current NTTP Tasks

• Maintaining an online clearinghouse of training opportunities at www.NTTP.net
• Providing a wide range of online resources, hosted by www.AmericanTrails.org
• Developing a directory of trails experts and groups who provide workshops, classes and training
• Providing publicity for the spectrum of opportunities for training and education on trails topics
• Developing partnerships with parks and natural resources agencies in each state
• Encouraging more cooperation among agencies on classes and training
• Identifying skills and training needs not currently available

Who's Behind the NTTP Project

It's a long list, and includes important national trails and recreation groups as well as the federal land management agencies. Besides the FHWA and various states, federal agency supporters include the USDA Forest Service and agencies of the U.S. Department of the Interior: Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and Fish and Wildlife Service.

The NTTP Steering Committee includes these national organization partners:

• American Hiking Society
• American Trails
• American Motorcyclist Association
• Back Country Horsemen of America
• International Mountain Bicycling Association
• Leave No Trace
• National Association of State Trail Administrators
• National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council
• Partnership for the National Trails System
• Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
• Student Conservation Association
• Tread Lightly!
• Western Trailbuilders Association

How to Get Involved

Improving the availability of trail-related training is a huge challenge. But across the outdoor recreation spectrum, trails advocates recognize the importance of skills and education. We hope that you and your organization or agency will join us. Here's how:

• Read more about NTTP at www.NTTP.net
• Register as a partner (use the form on the Web site or e-mail us)
• Send your training calendar or news items to mactrail@aol.com
• Let us know about new publications, videos, websites, curricula and education resources
• Tell others who are interested in trails training about NTTP
• Include this information in your newsletter and Internet communications
• Add a link to www.NTTP.net to your Web site; contact us for a logo link
• Tell us about classes, workshops or resources you'd like to see