One skilled machine operator and the right machine can do the work of many hand laborers in a fraction of the time. In a dollars and cents world, machines save you time and money on any given trail project. 

An un-trained machine operator can do a lot of damage in no time and this often requires significant time to "clean up the mess". These situations have given machine built trail a bad image and left trail users and land managers wondering if there is a "better way".

The "better way" is using machines for the project but making sure the operators are well trained and skilled and have a light touch. This 3 day workshop will focus on giving participants a good head start and introduction into the world of mechanized trail building. Join us for this hot topic workshop and learn how to use machines, but yield a high level of finish and an "always been there" look.

Instructors are some of the best in the business with not only good machine skills, but also good teaching and instructional skills. Teacher to student ratios will be kept low and there will be plenty of hands on machine time to hone your skills.

The Biltmore Estate is a truly unique property with significant historical and recreational trail roots. In the late 1800's, George Vanderbilt purchased 125 thousand acres in western NC that had been logged and farmed heavily and was in a desperate state that needed healing and good management practices. Mr. Vanderbilt hired Fredrick Law Olmsted to design the grounds and gardens, and a recreational trail system for horses and carriages. The first forestry school in America was created here under the guidance of Gilford Pinchot and later Dr. Carl Schenck.

The current Biltmore Estate contains 8,000 acres with the remaining lands forming Pisgah National Forest, one of the oldest national forest in the US. Currently managed as a tourist resort and destination, the home and grounds are visited by millions each year and the recreational trail system has become more and more important to allow visitors to truly enjoy the Biltmore legacy.

One of the main conference sessions will explore the economics of this historic and expanding trail system with a costs vs. benefits presentation from Lee Reading the Outdoor Programs Manager at the estate. Attendees of the PTBA conference in Asheville are encouraged to schedule some time to visit the estate and learn the rich history.

The Professional Trailbuilders Association is very proud to join conference attendees in celebrating the trail building legacy of Roger Bell by awarding him the 2009 Harvey Bell Award.

Roger has been one of the most influential people in this country at promoting trail building as a profession.  He has spent the last 30 years volunteering his time, energy and passion (often to the detriment of his own trail building business) to the PTBA as a past president and current member of the board of directors.  He also serves as the Vice President of the American Trails Board of Directors, and has spent countless hours advocating and training folks of all walks of life in the value and quality of a well built trail.

Please join the PTBA in celebrating Roger's many accomplishments as he passes his trail building business on to capable hands and moves into a well-deserved retirement.