TRAL 1033 - Trail Maintenance and Management

Description
This course provides students with the knowledge and skills required to effectively maintain and
manage trails post-construction. It covers essential maintenance practices, ongoing management
strategies, construction management, trail maintenance skills, business principles, project and
crew management, and program administration and leadership.
TRAL 1033 Trail Maintenance and Management is a comprehensive and hands-on course that focuses on
the essential practices and strategies involved in the ongoing care, preservation, and sustainable
management of trails. This course equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to ensure
trail longevity, user safety, and the protection of natural and cultural resources. Topics Covered
will be the importance of trail maintenance, trail assessment and monitoring, trail maintenance
techniques, seasonal considerations and best practices, trail maintenance equipment, crew
recruitment and management, jobsite inspections and safety, volunteer management, trail repair and
reconstruction, trail incident management, visitor use management and monitoring, trail ethics, and
leave-no-trace principles.

Pre-Requisite
None

3 Credit Hour(s)

Contact Hours
30 lecture hours/30 lab hours

3.3 Faculty Load Hour(s)

Semesters Offered
Fall, Spring, Summer

ACTS Equivalent
None

Grade Mode
A-F

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to
• Develop a comprehensive trail maintenance plan, including a schedule for post build maintenance, inspection, and management.
• Conduct regular trail inspections and assessments.
• Recognize health and safety protocols in trail maintenance.
• Utilize tools and equipment for corridor clearing, tread maintenance, and drainage features.
• Describe how to recruit, train, and manage trail maintenance crews effectively.
• Evaluate program budgets and contracts.
• Develop education and public outreach initiatives.
• Research and foster partnerships and collaborations for trail management, including volunteer crews.
• Identify compliance with policies, directives, and laws related to trail management.
• Report on visitor use and engagement.
• Develop and oversee trail maintenance agreements.

General Education Outcomes Supported
• Students develop higher order thinking skills.
• Students gain greater awareness of cultural perspectives.
• Students develop effective oral communication skills.
• Students can achieve mathematical literacy.
• Students can use computers proficiently.
• Students can employ a variety of sources to locate, evaluate, and use information.

Standard Practices

Topics List
• Post Build
o Maintenance
o Inspection
• Ongoing Management
o  Health & Safety Recording
o Tracking user numbers and engagement
o Quality control
o Use of technology in ongoing trail maintenance and management
o Marketing / Activation
• Construction Management
o Health and safety onsite
o Contract management
o Leadership and group dynamics
o Budget planning
o Developing the operations and maintenance plan
o Handover process
• Trail Maintenance Skills
o Maintenance Specifications
o  Inventory & Assessment
o Corridor Clearing Power tools
o Corridor clearing Hand Tools
o Tread Maintenance - Hand tools

o Tread Maintenance - Mechanized Equipment
o Drainage Features/Water Management
• Project & Crew Management Skills
o Crew Recruitment
o Crew Management
o Jobsite Safety
o Jobsite Risk Management
o Performance Management
o Field-based Resource Protection
• Program Administration and Leadership Skills
o Program Budgeting
o Communications
o Contract Administration
o Education and Public Outreach
o Funding/Grants
o Inspections/Monitoring
o Partnership and Collaboration
o Policy/Directives/Law
o Visitor Use Management and Monitoring
o Agreement Development

Learning Activities
• Interactive lectures and discussions
• Field visits to trail maintenance sites
• Guest speakers from trail maintenance organizations
• Work with volunteer organization
• Group projects and case studies
• Safety training and protocols
• Hands-on maintenance exercises and demonstrations
• Field visits and inspections
• Budgeting and program planning exercises

Assessments
• Quizzes and examinations (20%)
• Work on trail maintenance project (30%)
• Maintenance equipment and tool proficiency assessment (15%)
• Crew management and “principles of professionalism” presentation (10%)
• Class participation and discussions (10%)
• Final project on trail maintenance program development (15%)

Grading Guidelines
• A (90-100%)
• B (80-89%)
• C (70-79%)
• D (60-69%)
• F (Below 60%)