September 22, 2020 – We would like to welcome you to join us at the National Trails Virtual Fall Workshop! These are indeed challenging times along our National Trails System. With the continuing COVID-19 health crisis, so many schedules, activities, trail events, and trail projects have been placed on hold and altered to accommodate the safety and concern for trail workers, volunteers, and trail enthusiasts nationwide.
In addition, we are at a time when issues relating to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) have come into sharp focus and have been challenged throughout America. The Partnership for the National Trails System’s recent Statement of Inclusion and Statement of Solidarity have pointed to the need for the Partnership to put into action our commitment to making trail opportunities welcoming and available to people of all backgrounds. We acknowledge this is one step among many we have yet to take, but we are prioritizing these JEDI issues by giving them a central focus at the Fall Workshop.
We invite you to join us from October 21-29, 2020 as we explore the three workshop themes listed above and take the opportunity to meet our new Executive Director Valerie Rupp!
The PNTS Fall Workshop Planning Committee and the Workshop and Conferences Committee have been working together to make this a lively and compelling workshop. We are adjusting the format and presentations to include interactive and compelling lessons learned sessions. Our goal has been to provide some takeaways and concepts that you can apply at your trail system at the regional and national levels.
By using a virtual format and reducing the registration fees, we are looking forward to having an opportunity to engage more people. Please register today and continue to share this workshop information. We hope that the workshop will be a gateway to working with a broader array of partners from a diverse set of backgrounds, welcoming new ideas and approaches to our trails and community work.
And we want to say “Thank you!” to our Workshop Committee, Hosts, Sponsors and Federal partners. This workshop would not happen without you. Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity. We look forward to seeing you virtually in October!
RG Absher, Fall Workshop Chair