Trail Skills Training—Southern

ATC invites you to participate in the following workshops provided for you, the A.T. volunteers of the southeastern United States. Generally, the workshops are open to any participant. Some have age requirements, and all require preregistration. Registration deadlines are generally one week prior to the workshop, unless otherwise noted. There are no fees unless indicated. Most workshops require wearing work clothes (you'll probably get dirty), and you should also bring work gloves and sturdy boots. You'll need to bring a lunch to most of the workshops.

For more information on workshops, including those marked "To Be Announced" (TBA), contact the individual listed in the description. If your club needs additional training, we encourage you to contact your ATC regional office. We appreciate all your hard work in maintaining the A.T.

Please check back often as new workshops are added.

Invasive/exotic plant identification, removal, and monitoring

Help protect the Appalachian Trail and surrounding lands from invasive/exotic plants threatening the biodiversity of our special natural resources. Learn how to identify and control invasive/exotic plants while having fun with a diverse group of volunteers.

May 3, 2008, 8:45 am–4:00 pm
Invasive/Exotic Plant Identification Volunteer Workshop and Control
Location: Hot Springs, NC
Instructors: Julie Judkins, ATC; Lindsay Majer, Equinox Environmental Consultation & Design, Inc; Bob Gale, Western North Carolina Alliance
To register, contact Julie Judkins, jjudkins@appalachiantrail.org

May 17, 2008, 8:45 am–4:00 pm
Invasive/Exotic Plant Volunteer Workshop for Identification and Monitoring
Location: Hot Springs, NC
Instructors: Julie Judkins, ATC; Lindsay Majer, Equinox Environmental Consultation & Design, Inc; Bob Gale, Western North Carolina Alliance
To register, contact Julie Judkins, jjudkins@appalachiantrail.org

June 7, 2008, (National Trails Day), 8:45 am–4:00 pm
Invasive/Exotic Plant Volunteer Workshop for Identification and Monitoring
Location: Davenport Gap area north of the Smokies
Instructors: Sarah Marcinko, Equinox Environmental Consultation & Design, Inc; Bob Gale, Western North Carolina Alliance
To register, contact Lindsay Majer, Lindsay@equinoxenvironmental.com

June 21, 2008, 8:45 am–4:00 pm
Invasive/Exotic Plant Volunteer Workshop for Identification and Monitoring
Location: Fontana, area south of the Smokies
Instructors: Julie Judkins, ATC; Lindsay Majer, Equinox Environmental Consultation & Design, Inc; Bob Gale, Western North Carolina Alliance
To register, contact Julie Judkins, jjudkins@appalachiantrail.org

September 5–6, 2008, 8:45 am–4:00 pm
Invasive/Exotic Plant Identification Volunteer Workshop and Control
Location: Davenport Gap area north of the Smokies
Instructors: Julie Judkins, ATC; Lindsay Majer, Equinox Environmental Consultation & Design, Inc; Bob Gale, Western North Carolina Alliance
To register, contact Julie Judkins, jjudkins@appalachiantrail.org

September 12-13, 2008, 8:45 am–4:00 pm
Invasive/Exotic Plant Identification Volunteer Workshop and Control
Location: Fontana area south of the Smokies
Instructors: Julie Judkins, ATC; Lindsay Majer, Equinox Environmental Consultation & Design, Inc; Bob Gale, Western North Carolina Alliance
To register, contact Julie Judkins, jjudkins@appalachiantrail.org

October 10-11, 2008, 8:45 am–4:00 pm
Invasive/Exotic Plant Volunteer Workshop and Control
Location: Hot Springs, NC
Instructors: Julie Judkins, ATC; Lindsay Majer, Equinox Environmental Consultation & Design, Inc; Bob Gale, Western North Carolina Alliance
To register, contact Julie Judkins, jjudkins@appalachiantrail.org

Sawyer certification courses

For more information on ATC's Sawyer Training program, including how to register for a chain-saw course or to download a course application form, see Sawyer Certification. According to ATC policy, current first-aid and CPR certification is required for sawyers operating on the A.T. Check the First Aid and CPR workshops for a location near you.

Crosscut saw

Chain-saw use is prohibited in all federally designated Wilderness areas, including areas where the Appalachian Trail passes. A.T. volunteers working with crosscut saws must be certified to use them. Participants at these workshops may meet the requirements for certification, which is valid for three years. Participating sawyers may be eligible to order necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) following successful completion of the course.

March 14-15, 2008
Location: GSMNP Visitors Center at Sugarlands
Instructor: Dennis Helton
Contact: Andrew Downs, adowns@appalachiantrail.org, (828) 254-3708
Registration Deadline: March 3

June 7-8, 2008
Location: Konnarock Base Camp, Sugar Grove, Virginia
Instructor: Warren Bonham, USFS Instructor
Contact: Kerry Wood, kwood@appalachiantrail.org, 540-953-3571
Registration Deadline: May 23, 2008

Chain-saw certification

The following workshops offer certification for chain-saw use on the A.T. The course covers all areas of safe and efficient saw use. Participants may meet the requirements for certification, which is valid for three years, and may be eligible to order needed personal protective equipment (PPE).

March 15–16, 2008
Location: Sherando Lake, Virginia
Instructor: Richard Coleman, USFS Instructor
Contact: Kerry Wood, kwood@appalachiantrail.org, 540-953-3571
Registration Deadline: February 29, 2008

March 21-22, 2008
Location: GSMNP Visitors Center at Sugarlands
Instructor: Dennis Helton
Contact: Andrew Downs, adowns@appalachiantrail.org, (828) 254-3708
Registration Deadline: March 10

March 22–23, 2008
Location: USFS Eastern Divide Ranger District office, Blacksburg, Virginia
Instructor: John Hairfield, USFS Instructor
Contact: Kerry Wood, kwood@appalachiantrail.org, 540-953-3571
Registration Deadline: March 7, 2008
Note: This advanced chain-saw workshop offers recertification of currently certified B level and higher sawyers. The course will focus on more time in the field with instructors and will allow experienced sawyers to hone their skills, in addition to learning more advanced skills such as removing hung trees and felling.

April 4-5,2008
Location: N.C. Forest Service Supervisors Office, Asheville, North Carolina
Contact: Andrew Downs, adowns@appalachiantrail.org, (828) 254-3708
Instructor: John Brooks and Dennis Helton
Registration Deadline: March 21

April 12–13, 2008
Location: Konnarock Base Camp, Sugar Grove, Virginia
Instructor: Warren Bonham, USFS Instructor
Contact: Kerry Wood, kwood@appalachiantrail.org, 540-953-3571
Registration Deadline: March 28, 2008

Chain-saw Maintenance

This short course will address basic procedures for cleaning chainsaws, in addition to proper chain sharpening and bar-maintenance techniques. Although convenient for participants in the certification course scheduled April 12–13, this course is open to anyone interested.

April 11, 2008, 6–9 pm
Location: Konnarock Base Camp, Sugar Grove, VA
Instructor: Kerry Wood, ATC
Contact: Kerry Wood, kwood@appalachiantrail.org, 540-953-3571
Registration Deadline: March 28, 2008  
  

Natural heritage and environmental monitoring

There are over 2000 occurrences of rare and endangered species along the Appalachian Trail.  Join in the monitoring and protection of these special resources by becoming a natural heritage and/or environmental monitor.  These workshops are a great way to get involved.  Learn more about the A.T. environmental monitoring initiatives.

Rare plant workshop, training and hike

May 4, 2008, 9:15 am–4:00 pm
Roan Mountain Spring Naturalist Rally
Location: Roan Mountain State Park
Instructors: Julie Judkins, ATC; Jamey Donaldson, botanist
Registration limited to 20; contact Julie Judkins, jjudkins@appalachiantrail.org

Rockwork and Griphoist

Rock is the preferred building material on the A.T., due to its natural look and durability. Learn how to install steps and other structures that will stand the test of time. The workshops will focus on different aspects of working with rock and the tool most often used for moving large rock—the Griphoist.

Leave No Trace (LNT)

The Leave No Trace (LNT) Master and Trainer courses emphasize three components: low-impact camping, wildland ethics, and teaching techniques. LNT courses are informative, practical, hands-on, and fun! Participants must have a strong interest in outdoor recreation, a commitment to training others, and a desire to protect wilderness resources and be in good physical condition.

The weekend-long Trainer course is a brief overview of the basic LNT principles. The five-day-long Master course is designed for people who are actively teaching others backcountry skills or providing recreational information to the public. For more information, visit the Leave No Trace Web site.

Train the Trainers

Leave No Trace “Train the Trainers” focuses on the development of the LNT educator, with special attention to influencing changes in outdoor users' attitudes and practices. The course encompasses the history of Leave No Trace, opportunities to teach the LNT principles, philosophical discussions about use and sustainability, awareness exercises, a Leave No Trace service project in the programming area, and the application of an action plan to reach Trainer goals. Course completion will result in Trainer registration with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and a certificate.

Wilderness medicine

These courses cover backcountry medical care in varying levels of detail. These are vital skills for trail workers who work in potentially dangerous conditions in remote areas. For those who wish for the most basic information, the standard first aid and CPR workshop is for you. For those wanting a more useful backcountry course, try the Wilderness First Aid. If you are responsible for leading groups into the backcountry or simply want to learn a lot, you might want to check out an Advanced Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder course listed on one of the Web sites below.

Wilderness First Aid (WFA)/CPR

Originally called Backcountry First Aid, WFA covers the basics and the most common traumatic, medical, and environmental issues that occur in the backcountry. WFA certification is an approved 1st aid course for sawyer certification.

April 26–27, 2008*
Location: Konnarock Base Camp, Sugar Grove, VA
Instructor: Landmark Learning
Course Fee: $130 for course (for AT Club Members), $40 for CPR**
Contact: Kerry Wood, kwood@appalachiantrail.org, 540-953-3571
Registration Deadline: April 1, 2008
*CPR certification will be taught Friday, April 25, 6pm–9pm
**A $65 discount may be available to AT Sawyers

For more information on backcountry medicine, check out:

• Wilderness Medical Associates
• NOLS Wilderness Medicine Institute
• Landmark Learning/SOLO Southeast
  

Basic trail maintenance

Just starting out in trail maintenance or do you simply need a refresher course? If you answered yes, then this is the course for you. Come and learn from veteran trail maintainers how to keep your favorite trail in top shape! The course will be a mix of hands-on work in the field and classroom work.

The Art & Science of Sustainable Trails

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), Warren Wilson College, and Trail Dynamics LLC are presenting a 2-day workshop on the design construction and maintenance of sustainable trails. This workshop is for trail maintainers, managers, and natural resource enthusiasts.  Topics will include: trail planning and understanding user motivations; construction of steps,  switchbacks and trail structures; designing for sustainability; techniques for enhancing user experience; and trail system management.

May 3-4, 2008
Location: Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, N.C.
Instructor: Woody Keen, President of the Professional Trail Builders Association
Contact: Andrew Downs, adowns@appalachiantrail.org, (828) 254-3708
Registration Deadline: April 20
 

Leadership skills and club development

Do you lead a maintenance trip or a club hike? Ever wonder what you'd do if an emergency came up? Did you ever think about what is involved in leading a group of people in the woods? You should consider taking one of these leadership courses. You will learn all about enhancing your leadership skills.

Is your club looking for new volunteers or interested in ideas for keeping the ones you already have? Consider attending the volunteer-recruitment workshop and improve your club's effectiveness at reaching out and motivating members to become actively involved.

Volunteer Management

Come spend a day discussing and learning techniques for recruiting, maintaining and working with volunteers. This will be an interactive workshop reporting current trends in volunteerism, but also come prepared to share your thoughts and ideas.

Do you have training or an event you'd like listed in next year's catalog? If so, contact your local A.T. club or ATC regional office.