Become a part of the National Trails System! Get details and the ins and outs about designating your trail(s) as a National Recreation Trail (NRT) or National Water Trail (NWT), the history, the benefits and process for trails to become NRTs, and more.
Presented by:
Interested in learning credits? Click on My Learning Library at the top right to login as a member to view the quiz and survey links.
Helpful Links When Applying for NRT Designation
Comal River Water Trail
Presenters will highlight the benefits and the value of National Recreation Trails* Program and National Water Trails System (a subset of NRTs) designation, will share the criteria and requirements for designation, explain the application process, and relate the experiences of a newly designated trail.
The deadline for applications each year is November 1.
*The National Trails System Act of 1968 authorized creation of a national system of trails comprised of National Recreation Trails, National Scenic Trails, and National Historic Trails.
This webinar qualifies as a Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) course (via LA CES).
Lindsay Brisko, National Trails System Specialist, National Park Service
Gypsum, Colorado
Lindsay Brisko is the newest team member on detail as a National Trail System Specialist. She joins us from the Facility Management group in the Intermountain Regional Office where she works as a Project Manager and Architect. Lindsay has worked on a wide range of projects include employee housing at Big Bend National Park, adobe reconstruction at Fort Davis National Historic Site, and the health center clinic renovation at Grand Canyon National Park, to name a few. Her experience includes acting as a COR on many design contracts, serving as a member on the Lakewood MATOC Technical Evaluation Panel, developing construction cost estimates, and managing architectural projects from design through construction. Previous work with National Trails includes helping to develop an updated NPS NTS Reporting Framework.
Lindsay has hiked over 8,850 miles and has taken professional hiatuses to thru-hike the Triple Crown of National Scenic Trails including the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail. Other notable long-distance hikes she’s completed include the Oregon Desert Trail and Cohos Trail. When she’s not working or hiking, Lindsay enjoys trail running ultras, skiing, and snowshoeing. She is beyond excited to blend her passion of trails and the outdoors during her detail with National Trails.
Andy Welsh, Assistant National Trail Program Manager, USDA Forest Service
Pinecrest, California
Andy is on a temporary assignment to the USFS Washington Office as the Assistant National Trail Program Manager. Andy normally serves as a Deputy District Ranger for the Stanislaus National Forest in California on the Mi-Wok/Summit Ranger District. He previously held recreation positions with the BLM and USFS working as a crew lead, IDT lead, project planner, and project manager on trail and wilderness projects in Colorado, New Hampshire, and Alaska. Andy has a B.S. in Outdoor Education from the University of New Hampshire and a Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Information Systems from Penn State.
Alison Bullock, Community Planner, Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance Program, National Park Service
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Alison Bullock has served as a Community Planner for the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA) since 2000, providing technical assistance for trail and conservation projects primarily in Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama and North Carolina. Prior to her career with NPS, Alison worked for the State of Tennessee as the Greenways & Trails Coordinator. Alison is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with a Master of Science in Planning. She is a past recipient of Great Outdoors Week’s Legends Award and a graduate of NPS’s mid-level management development program. Over the past 25 years, Alison has developed an expertise in planning greenways, water trails, and complex outdoor recreation projects. She has served on the National Water Trails technical review team for annual NWT applications since 2015.
Katie Johnson, River Operations Specialist, City of New Braunfels, Texas
New Braunfels, Texas
Katie Johnson has worked with the City of New Braunfels for about a year and a half. As the River Operations Specialist, she works alongside the River and Watershed Manager dividing her time between river recreation and watershed management initiatives. New Braunfels has two beautiful rivers that run through it - the Comal River and Guadalupe River. One of Katie’s first projects when coming onboard to the River Ops team was to work on getting a National Water Trail designation for the Comal River. Though it’s the shortest navigable river in Texas, the Comal is one of the most popular tubing rivers in the state. The water is spring fed from the Edwards Aquifer and stays around 70-72 degrees year around, which makes it the perfect place for different forms of recreation in all seasons. Katie and the rest of the River Operations department are thrilled that as of this summer (2024), the Comal River received its National Water Trail designation!
In 2021, Katie received her master’s degree in Sustainability Studies from Texas State University. Her love for the outdoors and wanting to help serve her community, led her to work with the City of New Braunfels. She is excited to see what the future has instore for the Comal River with this new trail designation and hopes it helps spread the word of not only the importance of protecting our rivers but also highlights the benefits of water recreation and simply enjoying the outdoors.
While we may individually agree (or disagree) in whole or in part with any or all of the participants, the views expressed in these webinars are not necessarily representative of the views of American Trails as an organization or its board and staff. Unless specific situations are noted by presenters, nothing in American Trails webinars should be considered to be interpreted as a standard.
By registering for our webinars, you submit your information to the webinar organizer and associated presenters and sponsors, who may use it to communicate with you regarding this event and their services. Your organization may also be added to the American Trails Business Directory. You can easily cancel your registration at any time.
This webinar was recorded on August 29, 2024.
6,999 views • posted 07/09/2024 • Id #486585
