California Trails and Greenways Conference

Registration is now open!
JOIN US for the 28th CALIFORNIA TRAILS & GREENWAYS CONFERENCE MAY 8-10, 2013 on LAKE TAHOE'S WEST SHORE!
Click here to visit the conference registration site.

THEME
Trails with Grace: A Path to Preservation & Sustainability
Trails are an essential part of natural and cultural habitats. We have deer trails, migration routes, and a host of pathways around the globe that have been used by countless creatures for millions of years. How can we humans sustainably design a graceful interface between our own trails and the surrounding habitat, or make existing trails more sustainable? How do we educate and foster veteran and novice trail users on safe and respectful access by all modes? How can we encourage a synthesis utilizing trails to interface with our neighborhoods, services and nature areas? And how can we promote a greater sense of value and stewardship for trails within all communities? Join us as we explore traditional and emerging answers to these questions, and help promote Trails with Grace.

2013 CONFERENCE SITE 
The 28th California Trails & Greenways Conference will be held May 8-10, 2013 at the Granlibakken Conference Center and Lodge, located on the west shore of beautiful Lake Tahoe.  A special lodging rate has been secured for those referencing the "California Trails & Greenways Conference".  Click HERE to go to the California Trails Conference Foundation's new web page or go to http://www.catrailsconference.org.  

PURPOSE
The California Trails & Greenways Conference provides trail professionals, advocates, volunteers and users with a venue for sharing practical, up-to-date trail management and advocacy skills; as well as a forum for networking and building support for accessible, inter-connected, sustainable non-motorized trail systems. For 28 years, this investment of knowledge by California State Parks and the California Trails Conference Foundation has helped ensure trail stewardship and leadership for generations to come.

WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND?
The conferunce is highly productive: 95% of 2011 participants' reasons for attending the Conference were satisfied. These attendees were public agencies 51%, representatives of trail advocacy organization 38% and trails related businesses 9%. That's proof that, even in really tough budget years, agencies and not-for-profit organizations find this training invaluable!  
Expect:

Concurrent sessions offering valuable lessons in effective trail program management that stretches public dollars further. Learn about successful strategies and funding mechanisms that can help your trails prosper. Program Schedule and Fees are listed below. For more information, such as available workshops, Keynote speaker info, and speaker bios visit the Conference Registration Site. 
2013 Full Conference Schedule
Registration Fees
Educational Session Descriptions
Conference Award Information

Networking opportunities linking trail leaders in the community and government so they can partner to solve the most difficult issues. Need a professional trail mentor? Join us!

Workshops providing hands-on learning opportunities not available elsewhere. Explore and discuss solutions that are working now. Learn how others have addressed the same on-the-ground challenges you face. 

Help us build California's Trails Community online. Find a trail friend. 
Log onto our Facebook page
Or Twitter with us at: http://twitter.com/CAtrails!


GET INVOLVED!!
The Conference happens because of you. Trail leaders from throughout the state contribute generously to our success and reap benefits for years to come. Don’t miss these opportunities to be more visible:

Sponsoring the conference supports the trails community while promoting your business, non-profit or agency to trail professionals and advocates that influence recreation policies and investments throughout California.  Contact Lauralee Svendsgaard at lsven@peak.org or toll-free at 1-877-776-3619. Click HERE to get more information on sponsorship opportunities

Exhibit your products and services to trail professionals and advocates! Reinforce your market presence to agency staff and community leaders with direct contracting authority. Network efficiently and effectively by becoming a Conference Exhibitor! Contact Lauralee Svendsgaard toll-free at 1-877-776-3619 or by email at lsven@peak.org.

Donate promotional items to our raffle or registration gift bag!

Automatically receive Conference updates! Just send an email with your contact information to trails@parks.ca.gov  to be on our trails email list.

Students, CCC & YCC members - on a tight budget? The student rate allows you to attend conference sessions and enjoy a networking meal. To qualify for the student rate you must show proof of being a full-time student at a bona fide learning institution. Welcome to a great learning experience!!

PURPOSE and HISTORY

The interactive conference forum meets California State Parks mandate under the Public Resources Code 5070.5 by providing:

• High quality, innovative sessions covering the full range of trail topics, including current issues facing the trails community;
• Day-long pre-conference workshops with hands-on learning;
• A forum to address the evolving needs of California’s trail community, including a public meeting of the California Recreational Trails Committee;
• Opportunities to network with other trail advocates to build support for local and statewide trail systems; and
• Exhibits of innovative trail-related products and services.

Training trail professionals and community leaders advances the following state and federal programs:
 The California Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights www.calroundtable.org
 California’s Climate Plan AB 32/SB 375 Transportation Goals http://www.climateplanca.org
 California State Parks Accessibility Program http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/21944/files/trailplandec2003updated.pdf 
 Strategic Growth Council SB 732 http://www.sgc.ca.gov 
 Governor’s Fitness Challenge http://gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=17217
 National Park Service National Trails System Act http://www.nps.gov/nts/legislation.html 
 Facilities planning to meet The Americans with Disabilities Act http://www.access-board.gov/adaag/html/adaag.htm 
 National Park Service Land and Water Conservation Fund http://www.nps.gov/lwcf 
 US Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge System Roads and Trails Program http://www.fws.gov/refuges/roads 
 Safe Routes to Schools http://www.saferoutesinfo.org 
 National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program http://www.nps.gov/ncrc/programs/rtca 
 Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rectrails/index.htm
 Bureau of Land Management National Scenic and Historic Trails http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/blm_special_areas/NLCS/Trails.html 
USDA Forest Service Recreation Programs http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/
 US DOT, HUD and EPA Partnership for Sustainable Communities http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/pdf/partnership_year1.pdf
 First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let's Move campaign http://www.letsmove.gov/letsmooveoutside.php


For more information on the purpose and history of the California Trails & Greenways Conference, click here. For information on past conferences, including links to plenary and educational sessions, click here