2022 Schedule At-A-Glance

Our latest gathering of workshops, field trips, and educational sessions has passed but the 2022 sessions listed below will give you a sense of what our trails conference offers attendees. We hope you will join us in 2024, or at other future MassTrails events. To stay informed, please sign up for our e-blast communications! Click here to join.
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
    Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
    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.

    ​Additional funding provided in sponsorship by:
    Picture