2012 Alabama Trails Conference Nov. 1-2 at Jacksonville State University
10/08/2012
By Donna Reynolds
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
The 2012 Alabama Trails Conference is set for Nov. 1 and 2 at the Houston Cole Library on the Jacksonville State University campus.
The theme for the conference is "Dream, Plan, Build," and activities will provide sharing, learning and networking aspects for anyone planning a trail, in the process of building a trail, or trying to build consensus in the dreaming stages of building a trail.
The registration fee is $150 per person and includes one and half days of great information, 3 meals and a social reception.
"The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is assisting with promoting the conference, and will provide staff members to serve as moderators of the concurrent sessions," says Tom Chesnutt, Extension specialist and assistant professor Economic and Community Development at Auburn University.
The first session, scheduled Nov. 1 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., is "This is What We Can Look Like." Concurrent panel discussions will include: From Dream to Reality: The Creation of the Destination Mountain Bike Trails on Coldwater Mountain; Hiking Trails Planned and Existing; Federal Partnerships; and Tuscaloosa RiverWalk.
From 2 p.m. until 3 p.m., concurrent breakout panel discussions will include: Rails to Trails; Alabama Scenic River Trail; OHV Parks in Alabama and Funding Opportunities.
The 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. session will include discussions on Partnership for Success – The Oak Mountain Bike Trail System; Water Trail Development; Hugh Branyon Backcountry Trail and Federal Partnerships.
The last session of the day will include panel discussions on Birding Trails; Branding; and Equestrian Trials; and a discussion on Wayfinding.
On Friday, Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. until 9:45 a.m., breakout session topics include: ADA Requirements for Trails and Outdoor Recreational Facilities; Small Business; Legal Issues Regarding Outdoor Trails and Recreational Facilities; and Social Networking/Marketing.
The last session, from 10 a.m. until 10:45 a.m., will include discussions on Building a Volunteer Base; Smith Mountain Fire Tower and Trails; National Recreational Trails/National Water Trails; and Trail Towns.
Conference sponsorships opportunities are available for $1,500, $1,000 and $500. Anyone interested in sponsorships should contact Rob Grant, ADECA, at Rob.Grant@adeca.alabama.gov.
To register online go to: http://www.landoftrails.com/
Article used with permission.