1/2 Day Workshop- Field-based learning
Date: Monday March 18
Time: 8 am - 12:00 pm
Cost: $250
Level: All levels
Instructors:
Erin Amadon, Town 4 Trail Services, LLC
Willie Bittner, Great Lakes Trail Builders, LLC
Description: This 4-hour seminar will teach students how to transform native rock into useable building stones for steps and walls. Subjects to be covered include how to read and analyze a stones structure so that it will yield the most material; how to split stone into the desired dimensions using rotary hammer drills, feathers, and wedges; how to shape stones using various shaping hammers and chisels including stone busters, points, sets, and more. Participants can expect to leave the workshop, knowing the basics of how to shape stone into usable blocks for stone structures.
This fee includes nationally recognized instructors, stone splitting and shaping related equipment, and limited PPE. Participants should plan on bringing hard hats, safety glasses, work gloves, sturdy boots, and water. Participants will show how stone splitting and shaping tools work by applying knowledge learned through hands-on demonstration throughout the workshop. Participants will receive direct feedback from the instructors on how to improve stone splitting and shaping techniques. By the end of the workshop, participants will make professional connections with PTBA member companies, fellow trail builders, supporters, and volunteers alike.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will analyze and identify the proper location on a stone to split.
Participants will demonstrate correct tool use for different types of stone shaping techniques.
Participants will demonstrate proper body mechanics and safe splitting procedures.
INSTRUCTORS:
Erin Amadon, Owner, Town 4 Trail Services
Erin Amadon’s passion for trail work began over two decades ago when she first served as a member of a youth conservation corps, and she has been doing trail work ever since. She currently is the owner of Town 4 Trail Services based out of Troy, ME.
As a former Training Coordinator for the Maine Conservation Corps, Erin developed and implemented an eleven-week environmental training curriculum for the Trail Training Academy. Erin is committed to youth conservation work and supporting the next generation of trail builders through her work as a Conservation Work Skills Instructor for the Student Conservation Association and in her role on the Maine Conservation Corps Advisory Board. Erin holds a United States Forest Service Sawyer certification, Wilderness First Responder, CPR, OSHA 10 Hour Construction Safety & Health, Leave No Trace Trainer, and American Canoe Association quick start certifications.
Willie Bittner, Owner, Great Lakes Trailbuilders
Willie Bittner started working on trails 20 years ago with the Wisconsin DNR and over the years he has worked from coast to coast building trails and teaching the different methods and styles to volunteer groups, conservation corps and state and federal agencies. He founded Great Lakes Trailbuilders, LLC in 2008 to bring a low impact and environmentally friendly approach to trailbuilding and design to the Midwest.
As owner and lead designer, Willie is dedicated to sharing his experiences, engaging users and developing leading edge trails. His projects have taken him from designing new National Parks trails in Patagonia to co-founding WisCorps, Inc. a Wisconsin based Conservation Corps to leading trainings on everything from sustainable trail construction to trail psychology and rigging.