National Trails Symposium to be Held Nov. 15-18 in Arkansas

First posted on 11-04-2008

The 19th National Trails Symposium is coming to Arkansas Nov. 15-18. The symposium, which is being held at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, is open to the public and offers outdoor enthusiasts an opportunity to hear and network with experts in the national trails community. The theme of the symposium is “Innovative Trails-Transforming the American Way of Life.”

The event is a biennial conference hosted by American Trails, a nonprofit organization based in Redding, CA that works to protect America’s network of interconnected trails.

With over 50 education sessions over a dozen mobile workshops (at various Central Arkansas sites), there will be a trail topic of interest for everyone. Presenters cover the top topics in the trails community with presentations from across America.

The opening keynote speaker will be Dr. Richard Jackson, a professor at the UCLA School of Public Health, has served as the National Trails System Program Leader for the National Park Service in Washington, D.C. Dr. Jackson is an internationally recognized environmental health expert who in recent years has focused on the links between urban sprawl and human health. He has been involved with developing and implementing policy relating to National Scenic and Historic Trails, and in recommending changes to the Act.

The closing keynote will be Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods. Since its initial publication the book has created a national conversation about the disconnection between children and nature, and his message has galvanized an international movement. The book has inspired “Leave No Child Inside” initiatives throughout the country. Those not registered for the symposium can still attend these luncheons for a small fee.

Before the symposium kicks off, a free public awareness event, Building Public Awareness for Trails, will take place on Saturday Nov. 15th inside the Governor’s Exhibit Hall I and in Riverfront Park.

Registration is still open and is available online at: http://www.americantrails.org/2008/register.html. For more information, contact American Trails at or call 530 -547-2060. For a detailed scheduled of events, visit http://www.americantrails.org.

Full registration costs $425 for non-members or $375 for members of American Trails. Cost includes access to all concurrent sessions and posters, entry to the exhibit hall, opening reception, several meals, and ‘happy trails’ hours. Single day registration is also available for $175 for non-members or $150 for members. This includes access to all general, concurrent, and poster sessions, exhibit hall, and meals for that day. Student registration prices are also available