January 19: Weekly Dose of Training

 1/30/26- Mental Health- Warm-Up Yoga! 

If you are interested in attending the Mental Health Warm-Up Yoga on January 30th please register early This event is the same day as the Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point. Curtis has set aside parking just for those attending the yoga event so we need to get the roster passed on to him in advance. 

Resources 

SBR--Desgination Exemption Form 

Outside training opportunities

We often look at how to improve streets for walkability, but how can we also improve land-use policies and practices to bring the benefits of walkability to more people? Quite a lot actually! Join Cary Westerbeck, architect, advocate, and infill developer, and Mike McGinn, advocate, lawyer, and former Seattle mayor, to learn the best land-use changes a community can make that, when paired with safe street design, create walkable places for all. Attendees Will Learn: How land use and walkability are connected What land-use indicators best support walkability What specific land-use policies make places less walkable, or prevent access to walkable places Actionable steps in the land-use realm that state and local governments can take to improve walkability and health for their residents This webinar is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity in support of the Active People, Healthy Nation Initiative℠.

RSVP

National Network for Ocean and Climate change Interpretation 

    

Changing the Conversation: An Introduction to Effective Climate Change Communication

Virtual or In-Person Presentation

This 1-2 hour presentation helps participants become familiar with NNOCCI, understand why framing climate communications matters, and gain exposure to framing language. These introductory framing presentations are hosted throughout the year and around the country by trainers from our network, scheduled based on trainer availability. These presentations are an ideal first exposure for those interested in learning more about NNOCCI techniques. Learn more about this introductory presentation here.

Schedule: 

• Wednesday, January 28th
  • 3-4 PM ET / 12-1 PM PT
  • REGISTER HERE
• Thursday, July 16th
  
  • 6-7 PM ET / 3-4 PM PT
  • Registration to open in early summer 2026

Check our events calendar for upcoming dates or email contactnnocci@gmail.com to book a private presentation for your organization.

Course Cost:

• We offer free public virtual courses several times a year at no cost. Keep an eye on our Events page for upcoming dates.
• Private virtual Changing the Conversation Introductory Presentations are available to organizations virtually or in person for a $250 fee.
• For in-person Changing the Conversation Introductory Presentations, host organization will be responsible for the Facilitator’s travel expenses (transport, single-occupancy lodging, and food). 

IWIF Training Opportunities

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Mike Passo, American Trails <trailhead@americantrails.org>	Thu, Jan 15, 2026 at 7:21 AM
Reply-To: trailhead@americantrails.org To: "\"Alyssa Myers\"" <alyssa.myers@maryland.gov>
TRAIL TRACKS    January 2026                         MORE TRAILS. BETTER TRAILS.   This edition of Trail Tracks shares short films and articles that capture what so many in the trail industry know to be true: trailbuilding is more than a job.   It’s a passion, a livelihood, and something that connects generations— at work and at home. Perito Moreno National Park. Photo Credit: Tomás Munita Secrets of the World’s Greatest Trailbuilders  Jed Talbot, owner of OBP Trailworks, LLC, and Willie Bittner of Great Lakes Trailbuilders, LLC (both members of the Professional TrailBuilders Association (PTBA), have spent decades collaborating to build new trails and restore old ones. Over the past ten years, they’ve set a new bar for intuitive, sustainably designed trails in places like Perito Moreno National Park in Patagonia, Argentina, and across the region.   In 2019, their work on the Hidden Lakes Trail Network in Perito Moreno National Park earned them an International Planning & Design Award from American Trails—an ambitious project in a remote part of Argentine Patagonia. Now, they’re back in Patagonia, proposing a redesign of the iconic Laguna de los Tres trail for Argentina’s Administración de Parques Nacionales. The project is currently awaiting environmental review and public feedback.   Talbot shares his passion for guiding people through nature while protecting the environment in this National Geographic article, which requires email signup to read in full. Find out more Day on the Job: Erin Amadon, Town 4 Trail Services Think about that new hike you recently found, or the local trail you walk every week. Ever wonder who built those paths? Thanks to the PTBA for sharing this clip, and to Maine Outdoor Brands for showcasing a day in the life of a trail professional in this series. Click on the arrow to view video on Vimeo.  Trail Building with My Family Founded in 1978, Twin Oaks has grown alongside the trail industry itself. Over the decades, they’ve evolved not only as builders, but as a family, guided by a deep love of the land, adventure, and the communities their work supports. Click on the arrow to view video on YouTube. Special thanks to the PTBA for sharing. Happy Trails - Creative Ideas for Paths & Trails Trails can offer so much more than just a path from Point A to Point B. From sensory trails and those that teach about the environment to regional networks that bring communities together, there are countless ways to get creative with trail design. This article features an interview with Mike Passo, Executive Director of American Trails. Find out more ›› Funding and Legislation... This section provides updates on legislation, funding, and public input related to trail preservation and enhancing the outdoor experience. Right Rider Access Funds Accepting Applications for OHV Projects The Right Rider Access Fund is accepting applications for grants to support safety, education, and access initiatives across the off-highway vehicle community. The application deadline is January 31. Find out more ›› Register for Virtual and In-Person Hike the Hill® 2026 American Trails has partnered with the American Hiking Society and the Partnership for the National Trails System to provide virtual Hike the Hill® Issue Briefings in both live and recorded formats. Virtual Issue Briefings are February 9-11. Find out more ›› Apply Now: $50,000 Grants for Small Towns The new application period for the T-Mobile Hometown Grant program is now open through Tuesday, March 31 at 11:59 p.m. CT.  For communities with populations of 50,000 or less, the program provides grants of up to $50,000 to help build stronger, more prosperous small towns and rural communities! Find out more ›› Trails Accelerator Grants This grant aims to boost nearby trail access and gives priority to projects that will positively impact the community. It offers IMBA professional planning, design, and education services. The 2026 Trail Accelerator Grant spring opens on closes on March 15. Find out more ›› Conferences and Events... Texas Recreation and Park Society 2026 February 10-13 chart your course at TRAPS 2026 in Corpus Christ, Texas. Find out more ›› 2026 National Outdoor Recreation Conference NORC 2026, in partnership with Duluth Area Outdoor Alliance, will take place May 11-14 at the Harbor Side Convention Center in Duluth, MN. Registration for SORP members opens January 20! Learning credits offered by American Trails (included in registration fee). Find out more ›› Mountain West Trails Conference The Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation, in partnership with the Wyoming State Trails program, is thrilled to announce that Wyoming will host the next Mountain West Trails Conference on May 19-21. Find out more ›› American Hiking Society Volunteer Vacations Find the perfect volunteer vacation for you! From the tropical coves of the US Virgin Islands to the glacial fjords of Alaska. The 2026 schedule was just released. Find out more ›› Proposals, Presenters, and Award Requests... Are you looking for speakers, presenters, or award nominees for an upcoming conference? Share your trail-related requests with American Trails to be included in an upcoming newsletter. Send requests to trailhead@americantrails.org. Call for Proposals + Films Trail planners, designers, builders, recreation experts, community and elected leaders, tourism partners, and more are coming together to share ideas and best practices for advancing trail and greenway development across North Carolina. The Great Trails State Film Festival (that will take place at The Great Trails Sate Conference being held August 10-12 in Winston-Salem, NC) will feature short films that capture the people, places, and experiences that make the state’s trail system so special. The proposal deadline is March 6. The film deadline is June 30. Find out more ›› Resources... The American Trails Resource Library is a go-to spot for links, documents, tools, and best practices that help build services and skills for better information sharing in the trails community. You can browse resources by category or search with keywords. All articles and documents are free to access. Advancing Trails webinar recordings are free for American Trails members. Not a member yet? Join today! Access Hundreds of Archived Webinars Unlock a powerful library of training, expertise, and professional development— over 300 webinars— all at your fingertips! Find out more ›› Upcoming Webinars... Choosing the Right Aggregate: Matching Material to Trail Use and Terrain Help attendees evaluate site conditions and user needs to select the most appropriate material—reinforcing your team’s technical expertise and the value of well-engineered materials. Trail uses include both pedestrian and vehicular pathways in rural and urban settings. Find out more ›› Stonework for Trails This Advancing Trails webinar explores the artistry and endurance of stone structures, from retaining walls to steps and crossings. Find out more ›› Installation Excellence for Trail Aggregate: Tips, Tricks, and Common Pitfalls Deliver actionable insights on installation best practices that reduce long-term maintenance and boost user satisfaction. Trail uses include both pedestrian and vehicular pathways in rural and urban settings. Find out more ›› Aggregate Trail Surfacing: From Fundamentals to Field Application

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January News from the Monarch Joint Venture

• January 19 - February 13 - Gardening for Monarchs and More, Online
• January 28 - Monarch Conservation Webinar Series: Community to Conservation, Online
• January 29 - Monarch Larva Monitoring Project: Western, Online
• February 2 - March 27 - North American Monarch Institute, Online
• February 10 - The Secret Life of Moths: An Introduction to Moth Identification and Ecology, Online
• February 26 - Monarch Larva Monitoring Project: Southern, Online
• May 12 - Monarch Larva Monitoring Project: Northern, Online
• June 15-19 - Bugs and Butterflies Day Camp, Belle Plaine, MN