2022 Schedule At-A-Glance

Our latest gathering of workshops, field trips, and educational sessions will take place in the fall of 2024. More information will be listed here as it is available. To stay informed, please sign up for our email communications! Click here to join.
THE CONTENT BELOW IS FROM OUR 2022 CONFERENCE AND SERVES ONLY AS A SAMPLE OF PRESENTATION TYPES. Full 2024 presentations will be posted here in the coming months. Stay tuned!
Saturday and Sunday, November 5 and 6
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Two Days		 HANDS-ON WORKSHOP
Advance registration required.

WORKSHOPS: Click here to read overviews
  • Safer Chainsaw Operation for Trail Stewards
    This is a two day workshop; must attend both days.
    		•  Offsite
    Wednesday, November 9
    2:15 PM - 6:30 PM
    Times Vary    		 VIRTUAL KICK-OFF, VIRTUAL WORKSHOP, AND FIELD TRIPS
    Advance registration required; additional fees apply for certain workshops and field trips.

    WORKSHOPS: Click here to read overviews and for Virtual Kick-Off ZOOM link
  • Virtual Conference Kick-Off with The MassTrails Team (2:15 PM - 2:30 PM)
  • Virtual Workshop: Trails for All Ages and Abilities (2:30 PM - 4:00 PM)

    • FIELD TRIPS: Click here to read overviews
  • Full Moon Hike - The Frost Moon (Mt. Tom North Trailhead Park, Easthampton, 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM)
  • Full Moon Hike - The Frost Moon (Rollstone Hill Quarry, Fitchburg, 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM)
  • Full Moon Hike - The Frost Moon (Arnold Arboretum, Boston, 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM)
    		•  Virtual Via Zoom and Offsite
    Thursday, November 10
    9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    Times Vary    		 HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS AND FIELD TRIPS
    Advance registration required; additional fees apply for certain workshops and field trips.

    WORKSHOPS: Click here to read overviews
  • Run a Productive Griphoist Highline Crew to Safely Set Rock Steps (9:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
  • More Sustainable Trails Through Better Water Management (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
  • Creating a Self-Guided Trail Experience (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
  • DCR Universal Access Program Adaptive Equipment Demonstration (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM)

    • FIELD TRIPS: Click here to read overviews
  • Hike the Nashoba Brook's Trail Through Time (9:00 AM - 12:00PM)
  • Forest Bathing Walk: Slow Down, Awaken Your Senses, and Immerse Yourself in Nature (Boston area - 2:00 PM - 4:00PM)
    		•  Offsite, Various Locations
    Friday, November 11
    9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    Times Vary    		 HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS AND FIELD TRIPS
    Advance registration required; additional fees apply for certain workshops and field trips.

    WORKSHOPS: Click here to read overviews
  • Planning, Laying Out, and Building a Sustainable Trail (9:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
  • Working the Stone! (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM)

    • FIELD TRIPS: Click here to read overviews
  • Bike Ride on the Twin Cities Rail Trail (9:00 AM - 12:00PM)
  • Take a Hike! At Leominster Conservation Parcel (9:00 AM - 12:00PM)
  • Implementing the Fitchburg Trail Wayfinding Signage Project (1:00 PM - 4:00PM)
  • e-Bikes and Increasing Access to Trails Across the Commonwealth (Boston area - 2:00 PM - 4:00PM)
    		•  Offsite, Various Locations
    Saturday, November 12
    7:30 AM - 8:45 AM REGISTRATION, CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST, AND EXHIBITORS White Oak Ballroom and Foyer
    8:45 AM - 9:45 AM OPENING SESSION:
  • Welcome and Introductions
  • Keynote Address by Alec Griswold, Executive Director, Elevate Youth (Click here to learn more )
    		•  White Oak Ballroom
    10:00 AM - 11:00 AM MORNING CONCURRENT SESSION ONE: Click here to read overviews
  • Building the Northern Strand Trail
  • Simple Rules for Navigating Wetland Permitting and Working with Your Conservation Commission
  • Historic Interpretive Signs for Trails - A Newburyport Case Study
  • Building Trails, Creating Community: A Panel Discussion
    		•  Multiple Locations at Hotel
    10:30 AM - 11:00 AM LET'S TALK TRAILS, MORNING SESSION ONE: Click here to read overviews
    THEME: DCR Trail Projects    		 White Oak Ballroom
    11:00 AM - 11:20 AM BREAK TBD
    11:20 AM - 12:20 PM MORNING CONCURRENT SESSION TWO: Click here to read overviews
  • Youth, Sense of Place, and Conservation Work
  • Developing, Maintaining, and Operating a 2,000-Mile Trail System through Small Town Massachusetts
  • Belle Isle Marsh: Trail Design within Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  • The 40-Plus Year Journey to Build the Mass Central Rail Trail
    		•  Multiple Locations at Hotel
    11:30 AM - 12:00 PM LET'S TALK TRAILS, MORNING SESSION TWO: Click here to read overviews
    THEME: Woodland Trails and Greenways    		 White Oak Ballroom
    12:30 PM - 2:00 PM LUNCH, GUEST SPEAKERS, AND TRAILS AWARDS PRESENTATIONS White Oak Ballroom
    2:00 PM - 3:00 PM AFTERNOON CONCURRENT SESSION ONE: Click here to read overviews
  • Encouraging Multi-Use and Accessibility on the Bay Circuit Trail
  • State of the East Coast Greenway
  • Boston Walking City Trail: A 25-Mile Urban Adventure
  • Increasing Access to Nature on All Persons Trails
    		•  Multiple Locations at Hotel
    2:30 PM - 3:00 PM LET'S TALK TRAILS, AFTERNOON SESSION ONE: Click here to read overviews
    THEME: HubLuv Trail Projects    		 White Oak Ballroom
    3:00 PM - 3:20 PM BREAK TBD
    3:20 PM - 4:20 PM AFTERNOON CONCURRENT SESSION TWO: Click here to read overviews
  • All-for-One: Stitching Local, State, and Private Property Together for Trails
  • Legal Protections for Trail Access
  • Age- and Dementia-Friendly Trails
  • Can Taking a Hike Make You Healthier, Happier, and Smarter?
    		•  Multiple Locations at Hotel
    3:30 PM - 4:00 PM LET'S TALK TRAILS, AFTERNOON SESSION TWO: Click here to read overviews
    THEME: Future of Trails    		 White Oak Ballroom
    4:30 PM NETWORKING EVENT - ASK MASSTRAILS! A trail mixer Q&A session with the funders White Oak Ballroom
    5:00 PM CONFERENCE ENDS
    The MassTrails Conference is funded through the Recreational Trails Program / MassTrails, a grant program supporting trail and trail-related facility construction and enhancement projects across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.