Truly an International Trails Symposium!

We welcome all of our international friends from across the globe! Over 40 presenters, attendees, and award recipients from 16 nations will be joining us:

• Australia
• Canada
• Chile
• China
• Denmark
• Ghana
• Greece
• Ireland
• Israel
• Japan
• Lebanon
• Nepal (in spirit)
• Nicaragua
• Panama
• Russia
• South Africa
• Turkey

There are 12 international sessions to choose from! Learn about trails, including pilgrimage routes, that are contributing to a country's health and economic vitality and learn new perspectives on how to plan, design, build, advocate for, fund, and market trails from around the world. Share knowledge and successes to improve trails worldwide. Network and share your success stories with our visitors.

*** 

WE WILL MISS OUR NEPALESE FRIENDS: We were looking forward to having seven delegates from Nepal, in association with The Great Himalaya Trail and the Ministry of Tourism, join us in Portland. But with the devastation that occurred due to the massive 7.8 earthquake that hit Nepal on April 25th, just three weeks prior to the start of the Symposium, they are, of course, no longer able to come. We were very pleased to hear from our contacts in Nepal a few days after the earthquake, and even more pleased to learn they were okay.

We are part of a global community, and please know our hearts go out to you and to everyone in your beautiful country. We will miss having you with us at the Symposium.

The Spring issue of the American Trails Magazine is here!

This issue includes a large spread on the 2015 International Trails Symposium taking place in Portland, Oregon May 15-21. It will feature articles on trails in the Portland and surrounding areas and the most up-to-date information on the Symposium. The Spring issue also features information about how American Trails' 2013 "Best Trails State" Award helped get Missourians moving and has become the "award that keeps on giving" in Missouri. In addition, learn about the latest resources and training opportunities for trails professionals and more. Read now...

Poll: voters want federal funding for trails, walking, and biking

A recent poll found that four times as many voters favor increasing or maintaining current levels of federal investment in walking and biking paths. The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy sponsored a survey that found that support was strongest among Democrats, but an overwhelming majority of Republicans also supported the federal role in building infrastructure for biking and walking. The message that active transportation is affordable and produces a strong return on investment seems to resonate strongly with voters.  Read poll summary... (pdf 1.5 mb)

National organizations support Transportation Alternatives

Support for the Transportation Alternatives Program is a key issue with the federal transportation authorizations expiring May 31. The Safe Routes to School National Partnership gathered quotes from 16 national organizations about why they support federal funding for bicycling and walking programs. A letter supporting Transportation Alternatives Program Improvement Act (Senate Bill 705) was signed by 42 organizations. Download the letter supporting TAPIA and the quotes from organizations...  

Recreation Participation Report counts Americans outdoors

According to The Outdoor Foundation's 2014 Outdoor Recreation Participation Report, nearly 143 million Americans, or 49.2 percent of the US population, participated in an outdoor activity at least once in 2013. The study is based on an online survey capturing responses from over 40,000 Americans ages six and older and covers 114 different activities. Download the 46-page report... (pdf 2.1 mb)

NPS and National Park Foundation launch #Findyourpark

The National Park Service and the National Park Foundation have announced the launch of Find Your Park, which they describe as "a public awareness and education campaign celebrating the milestone centennial anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016 and setting the stage for the next 100 years." The new FindYourPark.com website features inspirational stories from the general public, National Park Service employees, and celebrities. Read more...

Intertwine Alliance and Portland-area wildlife refuges will manage new investment   

The US Fish and Wildlife Service announced this week that Portland-Vancouver area National Wildlife Refuges will receive $1 million a year in funding to engage urban communities and youth in conservation and outdoor recreation. The Intertwine Alliance helped the refuges obtain the grant, and will play a key role in implementing it. Read more... 

USDOT Secretary Foxx ped/bike safety sign-on letter

USDOT Secretary Anthony Foxx has provided great leadership and focus on increasing the safety of people walking and bicycling. However, while great strides are being made through "Safer People, Safer Streets" and the Mayor's challenge, the expected policy component of this safety initiative has not visibly advanced. The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is requesting your help to communicate to USDOT Secretary Foxx the importance of making strategic reforms to administrative policies and practices during his tenure to prevent thousands of tragic fatalities and injuries. This sign on letter seeks to maximize the impact of DOT's safety policy agenda for people walking and cycling. The deadline for signing on to the letter is COB Monday, May 11th! Learn more and read the letter...  

American Trails hosts the next International Trails Symposium in Portland May 17-20, 2015.

The Symposium addresses most aspects of trails, greenways, and blueways. Learn from dozens of educational sessions and mobile workshops and network with experts and enthusiasts from across the globe. The theme for this year's Symposium is "Solutions for Success."

Thank you to our major partner, the Professional Trailbuilders Association and our local host and major planning partner, Metro, as well as to our major sponsors to date:

Oregon State Parks and Recreation, REI, MIG, Inc., The Intertwine Alliance, Northwest Youth Corps, Alta Planning + Design, the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, the USDA Forest Service, the US DOT Federal Highway Administration, Moda Health, and Trails Unlimited.  

• Walk the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail
• Canoe the Willamette River (In 2 Person Canoes)
• Canoe the Willamette River (In One Large Canoe)

Featured Workshops: 

• Strategic Thinking for Decision Making
• Horse Trails Caucus
• Becoming Compliant with the Accessibility Guidelines for Developed Areas

FEATURING the Professional Trailbuilders Association Sustainable Trails Workshops and Outdoor Trade Show 

The Professional Trailbuilders Association (PTBA) and the American Trails International Trails Symposium (AT ITS) are proud to announce an exciting new partnership program -- the Sustainable Trails Workshop Series and Outdoor Demonstration Area and Trade Show.

Sustainable Trails Workshop Series 

PTBA workshops can be purchased independently from a Symposium registration. You can register for PTBA workshops through the Symposium online Registration system...  

Learn about The Legacy Trail that these Sustainable Workshops will help build. 

Exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities 

The Sponsorship & Exhibitor Packet is available online! Exhibitors get to choose their booth location in the order they send in their contract and payment (some exceptions apply). If you are interested in more recognition, we still have larger sponsorship levels available with some excellent benefits to boost promotion for your organization. Download the Sponsorship & Exhibitor Packet now...

Thank you to our sponsors and exhibitors to date:

• Alta Planning + Design 
• American Conservation Experience 
• Arizona State Parks
• Atkins
• Audubon Portland Nature Store
• Back Country Horsemen of America
• BCS America LLC
• Bear Country Containers
• Beneficial Designs, Inc.
• Berntsen International, Inc.
• BioSpan Technologies, Inc. 
• Bureau of Land Management
• California Trails and Greenways Conference
• Canycom USA, Inc.
• Cart-Away Concrete Systems, Inc.
• Central Arizona Project
• Chehalem Park and Recreation District
• Clare-GetSideTracked (Ireland)
• Columbia
• Columbia Cascade Company
• Composite Advantage 
• Contech Engineered Solutions
• das Manufacturing, Inc.
• David Evans and Associates, Inc.
• Dero Bike Racks
• Diamond Pier 
• Ditch Witch Northwest
• Dual Pilgrim: Kumano Kodo and Way of St. James (Japan & Spain)
• Eco-Counter
• E.T. Techtonics, Inc.
• Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance 
• Freenotes Harmony Park
• Forest Park Conservancy 
• GameTime 
• GatorBridge™ and GatorDock™
• GreenWorks
• Gopher Sign Company
• Great Baikal Trail - Russia
• iZone Imaging 
• JAMAR Technologies, Inc. 
• Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics
• Klean Kanteen
• Mackenzie
• Metro 
• MIG, Inc.
• Moda Health
• National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC)
• National Park Service 
• Northwest Youth Corps 
• Okanogan Trail Construction
• Oregon State Parks and Recreation
• Oregon State Snowmobile Association
• Orec America, Inc.
• Otak, Inc.
• Pachner & Associates, LLC
• Pannier Graphics
• Parametrix
• Paths of Greece
• PBS Engineering + Environmental 
• Pioneer Bridges 
• PlayCore 
• Portland Parks and Recreation
• Professional Trailbuilders Association 
• Progressive Bike Ramps
• Progressive Trail Design
• Public Safety Industries
• Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau 
• Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
• RDO/Vermeer
• REI
• Rhino Marking and Protection Systems
• Right-Way Trail Systems LLC
• Stabilizer Solutions
• Studio Graphique, Inc.
• Sutter Equipment Company, Inc.
• Sweco Products, Inc.
• Taylor Siefker Williams Design Group
• Terrabilt Wayfinding Systems 
• TerraTrench USA, Inc. & Xeripave LLC
• The Acorn Group
• The Greater Dayton Ohio Region 
• The Intertwine Alliance 
• Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust
• TimberWood Products
• Tools for Trails
• Tour-Mate Systems
• Trail Insight 
• Trails Guy
• Trail Services LLC
• Trails Unlimited
• Travel Oregon
• Travel Portland
• Trekking Turkey
• Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District 
• US Fish and Wildlife Service 
• USDA Forest Service
• US DOT Federal Highway Administration
• Voss Signs
• Washington County Visitors Association
• Washington State Snowmobile Association
• Western Equipment Distributors
• Western Wood Structures 
• Wheeler 
• WHPacific
• Wickcraft Broadwalk Company
• Zeager Bros, Inc.

Learn more about the upcoming and past Symposiums...

Contact Candace Mitchell, Sponsor & Exhibitor Coordinator, if you have any questions at [email protected].