ABOUT PTBA
PTBA is the trade association for the trail industry including professional trail contractors, designers, and consultants. PTBA currently represents 130+ private sector companies who employ ~2000 trailbuilders worldwide. Since our beginning in 1976, PTBA member companies have designed, built, and maintained tens of thousands of miles of trail.
PTBA represents the leading edge in sustainable trail development; we believe in trail design, construction, management and advocacy that enhance resource protection, recreational opportunities, economic development, active citizens, and connected communities worldwide.
2024 Sustainable Trails Conference
March 19-21, 2024
Lake Lanier, GA
The theme of the 2024 Sustainable Trails Conference is Technical Trails Training and will include:
Concurrent sessions, roundtable discussions, and outdoor learning with a focus on technical trails training
Networking opportunities with ~300 other trail professionals from the public, private, and non-profit sectors
An on-site Dirt Demo space will host Mechanized trailbuilding demonstrations and serve as an outdoor classroom for mechanized trailbuilding education
Beautiful natural surroundings will be our outdoor classroom throughout the conference as well as a our backdrop for informal gathering
Pre- and Post-Conference workshops (optional) will provide opportunity for hands-on small group learning on-site and at nearby trails.
The conference agenda is online!
The Trail Skills Project serves as the workforce hub for the trails community providing connections to trails education, trail expertise, professional development, and job opportunities.
PTBA has taken a leadership role in developing the Trail Competency Framework and the competency skills breakout (coming soon) with American Trails, the US Forest Services, the Federal Highway Administration, National Park Services, the Bureau of Land Management, National Trail System, Northern Vermont University, Northwest Arkansas Community College, the Corps Network, and the Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands.
PTBA Webinar Series
PTBA is offering 3 webinars in November, December and January as part of American Trails’ Advancing Trails Webinar Series.
Approvals, Permits and Compliance: Navigating the regulator waters from trail plan through construction
November 2, 2023 - View Recording on YouTube
Trail Planning and Design: Foundations of Success
December 7, 2023 - View Recording on YouTube
Risk Management During Trail Construction
January 11, 2024
Trail Assessment for Accessibility and Sustainability
February 29, 2024
The Professional TrailBuilders Association and American Trails co-hosted the International Trails Summit in Reno, Nevada during the week of April 17, 2023 - and more than 900 trail professionals and volunteers joined us!
We are excited to announce that we plan to partner again in 2025!
Madison, Wisconsin
April 14-17, 2025
More info to come soon!
APPLY TO BE A PTBA MEMBER COMPANY
PTBA is a trade association for the trail industry representing private-sector companies. All member company applicants must have a PTBA Member Company Sponsor and demonstrate a high level of professionalism, quality, and experience in trailbuilding. All member company applicants will submit an online portfolio that will be reviewed and vetted by the PTBA membership at large.