2021 Virtual National Trails Workshop

PNTS’ 2021 Virtual National Trail Workshop ran from Monday, November 1, 2021 – Thursday, November 4, 2021.

Please find session resources such as presenter PowerPoints, handouts and important links under each session abstract. Use the tabs below to navigate between workshop days. Find a link to the recording under each session title.

2021 Workshop Sessions and Speakers

Monday, Nov 1stTuesday, Nov 2ndWednesday, Nov 3rdThursday, Nov 4thTHANK YOUS

Day 1 — Monday, November 1st
Keynote Session: Rethink Outside™: Let’s Tell a New Story!

Watch the recording here.

Keynote Speaker: Anupama Joshi (she/her), Executive Director of the Blue Sky Funders Forum Click here for bio

Anupama Joshi, the Executive Director of Blue Sky Funders Fourm and the PNTS 2021 Workshop Keynote Speaker

anupama@blueskyfundersforum.org

www.blueskyfundersforum.org

Session Abstract:

Anupama Joshi (she/her), Executive Director of the Blue Sky Funders Forum will deliver a keynote presentation on the critical role narratives and stories play in enabling partnerships, funding and policy change. She will introduce the Rethink Outside™ shared narrative (co-generated and coordinated by Blue Sky Funders Forum) and share ideas for how you can apply it to your organization’s interpretive and educational efforts. An interactive aspect of the session will provide you an opportunity to explore the Rethink Outside™ messaging framework in small groups to brainstorm ideas for telling your story in different ways that may help open the doors for new allies and funders.

Keynote speakerAnupama Joshi (she/her), Executive Director of the Blue Sky Funders Forum

Anupama Joshi (she/her) is a social change leader and innovator with more than twenty years of management experience in nonprofits and philanthropy – successfully developing and scaling national & international programs, building coalitions, shaping policy, advancing racial equity, and leading through change. She is currently the executive director of the Blue Sky Funders Forum, where she leads initiatives to engage and convene funders to support the many benefits of a stronger connection to nature, activates funder collaboration to advance shared goals such as Rethink Outside™, and showcases successful programs, strategies, and innovative partnerships to enrich and inform members’ grantmaking. She is co-author of Food Justice (MIT Press, 2010), and serves on the board of directors for the Triangle Land Conservancy and the Farmers Market Coalition. Anupama is a mom, loves to travel, and cook, and currently lives in Cary, North Carolina.

Session Resources:

Other important links:

Logo for Rethink OutsideBlue Sky Funders Forum logo

 

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Working with Corps to Build Capacity and Mobilize the Next Generation of Conservation Leaders

Watch the recording here. 

Session Presenter:

Lauren Edwards-Johnson, Program Coordinator, Corps Network Click here for bio

ledwards-johnson@corpsnetwork.org

www.corpsnetwork.org

Session Moderator:

Christopher Douwes, Community Planner, Transportation Alternatives / Recreational Trails Program, Federal Highway Administration Click here for bio

Christopher Douwes photo

christopher.douwes@dot.gov

www.highways.dot.gov

Session Abstract: During this session the Corps Network will present about the versatility of Corps programs, how programs can help increase JEDI, how to work with Corps and overcome barriers. The session will end with an interactive activity that will help attendees understand how partners can work together to reach a funded agreement.

Session Resources:

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Workshop Social

5:00–6:00 PM EDT

Join PNTS and connect with other attendees during a fun and interactive social hour!

 

Day 2 — Tuesday, November 2nd
Emerging Land Conservation Policy: America the Beautiful, Ten-Year Trail Challenge, and Environmental Justice 

Watch the recording here. 

Session Presenters:

Matthew J. Strickler, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Click here for bio

Shantha Alonso, Director for Intergovernmental and External Affairs, Fish and Wildlife and Parks Click here for bio

shantha_alonso@ios.doi.gov

Brenda Yankoviak, National Trail Program Manager, U.S. Forest Service Click here for bio

brenda.yankoviak@usda.gov

www.fs.usda.gov

Gabriel Otero, Colorado Plateau Representative, The Wilderness Society Click here for bio

Gabriel_Otero@tws.org

www.wilderness.org

Session Moderator:

John A. Cannella, National Program Manager, National Wild and Scenic Rivers System & National Trails System, National Park Service Click here for bio

3-Trails Transit Center Dedication in Kansas City, MO 5/31/2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

john_cannella@nps.gov

www.nps.gov/nts

Session Abstract: During this first workshop session on November 2, Deputy Assistant Secretary Strickler will provide an overview of the America the Beautiful report, including a discussion about the opportunities it presents for trails, where the administration is now and where it is moving forward, as well as how trails can advance conservation and equity in the context of America the Beautiful. Deputy Assistant Secretary Strickler’s remarks will be followed by a discussion of the Ten-Year Trails Challenge by Brenda Yankoviak of the U.S. Forest Service. Gabriel Otero from the Wilderness Society will then discuss how nonprofit initiatives related to environmental justice and equity will be influenced by America the Beautiful. This session will close with a short Q&A with attendees. 

Session Resources:

United States Forest Service logo
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Land Conservation on Trails: An Introduction To Proven Tools And Strategies (Beginner/Intermediate Track)

Watch the recording here. 

Session Presenters:

Jesse Prentice-Dunn, Policy Director, Center for Western Priorities Click here for bio

jesse@westernpriorities.org

westernpriorities.org

Amy Lindholm, LWCF Coalition Manager, Appalachian Mountain Club Click here for bio

alindholm@outdoors.org

www.outdoors.org

lwcfcoalition.org

Megan Wargo, Director of Land Protection, Pacific Crest Trail Association Click here for bio

mwargo@pcta.org

www.pcta.org

Simon Rucker, Executive Director, Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust Click here for bio

srucker@matlt.org

matlt.org

Joe Sobinovsky, Realty Specialist, National Park Service Click here for bio

Joe_Sobinovsky@nps.gov

Alex Faught, Realty Specialist, National Park Service Click here for bio

alex_faught@nps.gov

www.nps.gov/index.htm

Session Abstract: This session will present examples and discuss how agencies and their nonprofit partners can expand trail land conservation. Participants will hear about a variety of strategies and real examples for land conservation including planning, mapping, tapping different funding sources and creative partnerships and easements. Presentations will be followed by a group discussion with Federal Land Preservation Office staff and other experts who will speak with session participants about how to start or advance land conservation on trails.

Session Resources:

The National Park Service logo
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Moving the Needle: Presentations and Discussion about LWCF, Conservation Tools, and Creative Partnerships (Advanced Track)

Watch the recording here. 

Session Presenters:

Nadine Leisz; Chief National Program CenterPark Planning, Facilities, and Lands Directorate; National Park Service Click here for bio

nadine_leisz@nps.gov

www.nps.gov

Karen Montgomery, LWCF Program Lead, Bureau of Land Management Click here for bio

k15montg@blm.gov

www.blm.gov

Barbara A. Johnson, National Land Adjustment Program Manager, United States Forest Service Click here for bio

barbara.a.johnson@usda.gov

www.fs.usda.gov

Lori Faeth, Senior Government Relations Director, Land Trust Alliance Click here for bio

lfaeth@lta.org

www.landtrustalliance.org

J.T. Horn, Director National Trails Initiative, Trust for Public Land Click here for bio

jt.horn@tpl.org

www.tpl.org

RG Absher, Vice President of the Overmountain Victory Trail Association and Executive Director of the Yadkin River Greenway Click here for bio

absher-r@juno.com

www.ovta.org

Scott Stewart, Forest Legacy / Community Forest Program Leader, United States Forest Service Click here for bio

scott.stewart@usda.gov

www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land

Carrie Lindig, NRCS Easement Program Division Director, USDA Click here for bio

carrie.lindig@usda.gov

www.nrcs.usda.gov

Session Moderator:

Jennifer Tripp, Director of Trail Operations, Pacific Crest Trail Association Click here for bio

jtripp@pcta.org

www.pcta.org

Session Abstract: This session will include a deep dive discussion about how agencies and their nonprofit partners can expand trail land conservation within the framework of America the Beautiful and other priority initiatives. Participants will learn about different conservation tools and receive updates on federal agency LWCF processes. Through the discussion, speakers and participants will seek to identify action items and opportunities to capture the momentum for land to benefit National Trails. 

Session Resources:

 

United States Forest Service logoBureau of Land Management logoThe National Park Service logo

 

Day 3 — Wednesday, November 3rd

Opening ʻOli Chant by Kaliko Kalāhiki Click here for bio

connor_kalahiki@brown.edu

 

Opening the Door for Crucial Conversations

Watch the recording here. 

Session Presenters:

Christine (McRae) Luckasavitch, Executive Director, Native Land Digital Click here for bio

christine@native-land.ca

native-land.ca

Carin Farley, National Scenic and Historic Trails (Lead), Bureau of Land Management Click here for bio

cfarley@blm.gov

www.blm.gov

Session Abstract:

Christine McRae, Executive Director of Native Land Digital, will give a presentation about the background of Native Lands and how Native-Land.ca came about, and how to make a meaningful land acknowledgement. Christine will also discuss the importance of crucial conversations and partnerships and the importance of creating space for indigenous voices.

This session will open with a brief discussion by Carin Farley, the National Scenic and Historic Trails (Lead) at the Bureau of Land Management, about how the recent partnership between Native Land Digital, BLM, USFS, PNTS, and Ancestral Lands was formed and how the new administration’s priorities have opened the doors for these new and diverse partnerships.

Session Resources:

Bureau of Land Management logo

    Native-Land.ca
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The Native Act and Sustainable Tourism

Watch the recording here. 

Session Presenter:

Sherry L. Rupert, Chief Executive Officer, American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) Click here for bio

SRupert@aianta.org

www.aianta.org

Session Moderator:

Naomi L. Torres, Superintendent of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, National Park Service Click here for bio

naomi_torres@nps.gov

www.nps.gov/juba

Session AbstractDuring the second session of the day, Sherry Rupert of the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) will discuss the Native Act and what it means for trails as well as the importance of sustainable tourism that honors tradition.

Session Resources:

The National Park Service logo

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Indigenous Voices: Collaboration and Engagement

Watch the recording here. 

Session Presenters: 

Stacia L. Morfin, Chief Executive Officer, Nez Perce Tourism, LLC Click here for bio

nezpercetourism@gmail.com

nezpercetraditions.com

Kaleo Paik, Officer, Ala Kahakai Trail Association Click here for bio

kaleopaik@yahoo.com

www.alakahakaitrail.org

Dr. Lydia Jennings, Post Doctoral Fellow in Community, Environment and Policy, University of Arizona Click here for bio

lljennings@email.arizona.edu

www.nativesoilnerd.com

Shandiin Nez, Associate Director, Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps Click here for bio

snez@conservationlegacy.org

ancestrallands.org

Session Moderator:

Jay Levy, Indigenous Research & Partnerships Coordinator, Appalachian Trail Conservancy Click here for bio

jlevy@appalachiantrail.org

appalachiantrail.org

Session Abstract: The last session of the day will contain a panel of indigenous speakers who will discuss their collaborative experiences with trails and other public lands and discuss how to manage differences in conversations and create meaningful partnerships. Themes for this panel discussion will include land care ethics, safety and accessibility, and collaborations with trail systems and public lands.

Session Resources:

Stacia’s PowerPoint—Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) Homeland and Trails

 


Day 4 — Thursday, November 4th
Ethical Storytelling

Watch the recording here. 

Session Facilitator:

Caliopy Glaros, Founder and Principal Consultant at Philanthropy Without Borders Click here for bio

Session Abstract: Nonprofits, volunteer organizations, and federal agencies all use storytelling to promote the trails, yet many organizations struggle to tell stories in a way that cultivates more belonging, represents all stakeholders, and highlights shared narratives. How can we use our storytelling platforms as vehicles for social change? How do we share power in storytelling and remain accountable to local communities? This session invites attendees to move beyond shifts in lexicon and imagery, in favor of embracing methods that challenge assumptions and inspire empathy. 

Participants with leave this session with an applicable strategy and concrete process they can take back to their organizations and begin utilizing immediately. At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  1. Define what ethical storytelling means for their own organizations
  2. Identify practices, principles, and guidelines that could be applied in their organizations
  3. Begin making changes, large and small, to better employ ethical storytelling principles in their organizations

Session Resources:

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Virtual National Trails Workshop Finale

4:00 PM EDT

Thank you to our sponsors, partners and hosts

The following organizations, businesses and agencies have made the 2021 Virtual National Trails Workshop possible:

Platinum Sponsor

National Park Foundation

Bronze Sponsors

Atlas Guides

Thrupack™

Mountainsmith

Other Sponsors

North x North

Bedrock Sandals

 

Toaks Outdoor

 

2021 Virtual National Trails Workshop Host Committee

Host Committee Members

The Partnership for the National Trails System logo with the text "2021 Virtual National Trails Workshop November 1–4, 2021"

Federal Agency Partners

The National Park Service logoBureau of Land Management logoUnited States Forest Service logoFederal Highway Administration logo