Skill Definition

Apply knowledge of land management agency policies and law (including legislation, regulations, policy, planning, strategy, and management directives/guidelines) to the management of trails

Entry Level Performance

  • Demonstrate understanding of foundational organizational policies and regulations for trails

Full Performance Level

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of all related policies and procedures as they relate to trail management
  • Provide management recommendations to decision makers

Expert Level Performance

  • Apply understanding of law, regulation, and policy to recommend or make decisions related to visitor use management, trail and recreation priorities, and sustainable land management practices.
  • Complete an analysis, devise new procedures, and provide recommendations on complex trail development problems using technical information or resource data
  • Provide legislative testimony, feedback on public land management processes, and engage law/policy makers in conversations about policy changes or new policy related to outdoor recreation and sustainable trail development.

Resources for Policy/Directives/Law

Documents and MediaVideo TrainingsTraining Programs
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Learn More

Documents and Media for Policy/Directives/Law

SCA Leader Teams Handbook
SCA Leader Teams Handbook

This handbook defines the role of the SCA and the Programs’ policies and guidelines. It is to be referred to and followed. There are three sections- general information, a section specifically for the Leader Team Crew Leader, and a section…


Trail Skills Training Library

Recorded Trainings for Policy/Directives/Law

Outdoor Recreation Policy Solutions for Climate Resilience
Outdoor Recreation Policy Solutions for Climate Resilience

From warmer and wetter winters in the South and Midwest to more intense droughts in the Southwest, the effects of climate change are a daily reality for outdoor recreation managers. This 4-part series explores how land managers, communities,…

National Trails Legislative Update 2024
National Trails Legislative Update 2024

Review the status of current legislation that impacts the trails community and our work and learn how you can help advocate for funding and policies that will have positive impacts on our trails.

Indigenous Placemaking Along Trails
Indigenous Placemaking Along Trails

Learn how indigenous operators have used trails to showcase traditional cultural experiences, ancient canoe routes, traditional culinary experiences, indigenous storytelling, along with many more.

The Trail Research Hub
The Trail Research Hub

Learn more about The Trail Research Hub that aims to grow trail-based research and evidence-based practice to support the professionalization of the Canadian trails sector.


Further Education

Training Programs for Policy/Directives/Law

Sustainable Trails Development
Sustainable Trails Development

The Sustainable Trails curriculum welcomes students from various fields who are interested in trails development, programming and management, as well as design.

Advancing Trails Webinar Series
Advancing Trails Webinar Series

American Trails brings agencies, trail builders, planners, architects, advocates, and volunteers the latest in state-of-the-art information on all aspects of trails and greenways. Our webinars focus on a variety of trail topics, usually applicable…

Custom Trainings

There are 65 trainers on TrailSkills
with Policy/Directives/Law experience

Hire Workers

There are 219 workers on TrailSkills
with Policy/Directives/Law experience

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Know of a good resource for this skill? Let us know! From webinars, to workshops, to PDFs, we'd like to add them to our resource library.

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Trail Skills Collaborators
Federal Highway Administration USDA Forest Service National Park Service Bureau of Land Management
American Trails Professional TrailBuilders Association Partnership for the National Trails System Northern Vermont University Northwest Arkansas Community College Eppley Institute Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals Washington Trails Association