“Building More “Colorful” Trails”—Denise will fire up the crowd with some inspirational words about the importance of diversity to the future of the National Trails Partnership and System

Keynote Speaker: Who is Generation Y
Phillip Smartt, University of Tennessee

They are called Generation Y, Gen Y and Generation Why. What makes them different from generations before? What are the implications for outreach and how we tell our story? This presentation will highlight research results to give participants a glimpse into this up and coming generation.  One key topic of discussion will trace the paradigm change from an analog to digital world and how it has had a profound effect on this generation.

Generational Awareness:  We're All on the Same Path
A Guide to Understanding Generational Differences
This session is an informative and interactive look at generational differences and how they affect our relationships. As communities transform and become increasingly multi-generational, the changes will affect how we work together.  This session is designed to help you understand the underlying factors that shape our motivation, world views and work philosophies and address the challenges of a multigenerational world. This session has something for everyone!

• Building Trail Constituencies by Taking Stewardship to a New Level
  Engaging trail users, trail supporters, trail neighbors, scientists, and many others in environmental monitoring and stewardship in trail corridors is a natural extension of trail management and one that can open important new opportunities to reach previously uninvolved groups. This session, hosted by Roger Moore (NC State University/ATC Mega-Transect Coordinator), will explore citizen-science and provide examples of these efforts being established on and around trails. 
  
  Case Studies will be presented from:
  • Waimakalani Iona on sea turtle monitoring along the Ala Kahakai Historic Trail
  • Roger Moore on ATC Mega Transect
  • Sarah Schlanger and Mark Henderson, on citizen monitoring along the Old Spanish and El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trails
    
    
• Risk Management, training criteria, partnering benefits
  This session will focus on the programs, principals and practices that
  trail and outdoor organizations use to manage risk associated with their
  programs. Following presentations by national leaders highlighting the importance of risk management, partnering benefits and standardized training, there will be ample opportunity for questions and discussion. Participants are encouraged to come prepared to share what their organization is doing to manage risk and emphasize safety on their
  trail. The objective is to provide take home lessons that organizations and their agency partners can use. Kent Wimmer of the Florida Trail Association will facilitate the panel consisting of:
  • Ann Baker Easley of Volunteers for Outdoors Colorado
  • Ron Hassle of the Student Conservation Association
  • Bob Proudman of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
  • Ian Nelson of the Pacific Crest Trail Association

• Jon Knechtel of Pacific Northwest Trail Association’s SKY Program
• Susan Westhoff of Continental Divide Trail Alliance’s Youth & Family Activities
• Wendy Raney of Lewis & Clark Trail Heritage Foundation’s Camp Pomp

Contemporary society has all but eliminated unstructured play in nature. Programs introduced on this panel touch on that shortfall by helping to supply the positive memories essential for mature investment in conservation. Adaptable to both NST and NHT interests, they assist schools in the challenge of meeting core curriculum expectations while fostering stewardship for our national resources. Presented by the innovators of these successful programs, the opportunity exists to brainstorm versions for each trail's unique applications.  

• Rita Hennessy of Appalachian Trail’s “A Trail to Every Classroom”
• Mike Dahl of Overmountain Victory Trail Association’s “March to Every Classroom and Community”
• Denise Meridith of WOW