Trails 2000 offers trail crew leader job training in partnership with Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado. Trails 2000 has teamed up with Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado’s (VOC) Outdoor Stewardship Institute (OSI) to offer an exciting training program for trail crew leadership in Durango, April 12 and 13, 2019. The two-day Trail Crew Leader Training will introduce the fundamentals of successful volunteer crew management and is open to all levels of trail experience, from beginner to long-time trail volunteer.

“Trails 2000 trail crew leaders are vital to our success in building and maintaining the trails in Durango, and we are excited to offer this unique opportunity to our community,” said Trails 2000 CEO Mary Monroe Brown. “In our region, trails are essential and connect us to the outdoors. We rely on the dedication and commitment of our knowledgeable crew leaders, coupled by a strong volunteer base, to make possible our world-class trail systems.”

The training program will be taught by long-time OSI instructor, Kim Frederick, who brings many years experience in sustainable trail design and crew leadership. Attendees will learn and practice construction and maintenance of sustainable trails, leadership strategies and techniques, tool use, and safety. All trainees will receive educational materials and handouts necessary for a successful and fun experience. “Trails 2000 is a statewide leader in trail management, and we are happy to partner with this long- standing organization to encourage more crew leaders to receive our high level training to assist in leading the robust Durango area volunteer base,” said Dan Williams, senior projects and training manager for VOC.

Upon competition of the program, Trails 2000 may hire interested and qualified crew leaders during the 2019 season to assist the organization during public trailwork days. Crew leaders, under the direction of Trails 2000’s trail operations manager, will oversee volunteers, students and groups, provide instruction and safety, manage tools, and other duties as needed. The training is free to anyone who can commit four hours of volunteer work with Trails 2000 prior to June 15, 2019.

“We hope to attract interested, dedicated individuals to attend the training and join our team to guide volunteer trailwork crews and give back to our community by fulfilling Trails 2000’s mission to build and maintain trails and encourage connectivity,” said Monroe Brown.

When: Friday, April 12, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, April 13, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Who: Those interested in joining Trails 2000's team as a crew leader; all levels of experience welcome, minimum age requirement is 18 years. What: Course includes classroom sessions, field exercises and role playing to introduce construction/ maintenance of sustainable trails, leadership strategies and techniques, tool use and safety. All trainees receive a crew leader m