NOHVCC Completes Great Trails Workshop in Alberta, Canada

NOHVCC recently wrapped up another successful Great Trails Workshop in Alberta, Canada, held June 29–30. The event was made possible through collaboration with Jason Wells of Sasquatch Trails and Craig Harriott from the Forestry and Parks division of the Government of Alberta.

While the turnout was just under 20 participants, the intimate group size allowed for a highly engaged and hands-on learning experience. The workshop focused on reworking existing trails and planning new, sustainable trail systems.

Day 1 – June 29: “The Reroute” Day
The workshop kicked off in the field, bypassing the traditional classroom portion to fully maximize time with trail expert Jason Wells. Jason’s knowledge and approachable teaching style set the tone for a productive and insightful day. The team focused on planning a reroute of an unsustainable trail segment, highlighting why, in many cases, building a new sustainable trail is far more effective than trying to fix a poorly designed one. The hands-on work and in-the-field discussions were extremely well received.

Day 2 – June 30: Weather Washout
Unfortunately, Day 2 was interrupted by a significant rain event, making it impossible to continue fieldwork. However, the downtime was far from wasted. Participants gathered for informal discussions, sharing trail-building experiences, success stories, and lessons learned. Despite the weather, the camaraderie and knowledge exchange that took place were valuable highlights of the workshop.

To see pictures of the workshop please visit our photo gallery here. If you are interested in scheduling a Great Trails workshop, please feel free to send an email to [email protected]. Currently NOHVCC is working with several contractors that practice and provide teachings based on the Great Trails Handbook published by NOHVCC. If you would like to purchase a Great Trails handbook, please contact the NOHVCC office at [email protected].