Dates: April 11 - 12
Cost: $800
Level: Intermediate
Maximum Size: 10 students
Schedule:
Day 1- 8 am - 5 pm (Classroom/Field)
Day 2, 8 am - 5 pm (Field)
Location:
Classroom: TBD
Field Session: Ada-Eagle Sports Complex
Description
This two-day workshop offers an introduction to mechanized equipment, focusing on mini-excavators and trail dozers. It combines classroom learning with field instruction, emphasizing hands-on experience and skill-building. With small student-to-instructor ratios, participants will have plenty of time to practice and refine their techniques on the machines.
Topics covered in the workshop include:
Introduction to mechanized equipment
Equipment maintenance essentials
General machine safety practices
Overview of machine types and their applications
Trail maintenance techniques
New trail construction
Finish work behind machines
This workshop is led by experienced PTBA member company owners and board members Dawn Packard of Blue Sky Trails and Erin Amadon of Town 4 Trail Services, both of whom have logged thousands of hours operating equipment. First offered in 2025 (see video below) and returning by demand in 2026, this women-focused workshop reflects PTBA’s continued commitment to expanding skills, confidence, and leadership opportunities for women in the trailbuilding industry.
Learning Objectives
1. Understand the types of mechanized equipment and their applications
2. Understand basic equipment maintenance
3. Demonstrate ability to operate a mini-Excavator
4. Demonstrate ability to operate a trail dozer
Instructors
Erin Amadon, Town 4 Trail Services (PTBA Member Company)
Erin Amadon has more than 20 years of experience in trailbuilding, with a career that began in a youth conservation corps and has included leading complex projects such as accessible natural-surface trails, large boardwalk structures, and technical stonework. A former Training Coordinator for the Maine Conservation Corps, Erin has developed and delivered professional trail training programs and remains deeply committed to workforce development through her work with conservation corps and students. Through her company, Town 4 Trail Services, LLC, Erin continues to build high-quality trails and supports the industry as Treasurer of the Professional TrailBuilders Association.
Dawn Packard, Blue Sky Trails (PTBA Member Company)
Dawn Packard has worked in Resource Management since 1990, starting her career as a Ranger for City of Boulder Mountain Parks and Open Space. While with the City she worked with the legendary trail designer Jim Angell, designing and implementing climbing access trails on Dinosaur Mountain. After ten years with Boulder, Dawn was hired as the Field Programs Coordinator for the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (CFI), serving on the design team and overseeing construction on summit trails on many of Colorado's 14,000' peaks. From CFI, Dawn spent five years as the Executive Director of Headwaters Trails Alliance (HTA) in Grand County, Colorado, coordinating multi-agency and public-private partnerships benefiting trail development throughout the Middle Park region. Dawn founded Blue Sky Trails LLC in 2003 and has been a member of PTBA since 2004. Blue Sky Trails LLC offers a wide range of trail construction, design, and planning services to professional land managers. Dawn volunteers as the president of PTBA.