International Mountain Bicycling Association

Trail Care School

Ponca State Park

You’re Invited

Join us for a THOR-hosted, IMBA-supported Trail Care School — a hands-on learning experience for staff, volunteers, community groups, and land managers.

Through engaging classroom sessions and fieldwork, IMBA and THOR experts will teach trail design basics, sustainable maintenance practices, and how to create great trail experiences for every user.

Dates & Schedule

Day 1–2
October 22–23
9AM – 4 PM

Format:
Primarily classroom-based with limited field assessments

Purpose:

  • Explore the value of trails in outdoor recreation, community engagement, and resource management

  • Learn best practices for sustainable trail design, assessment, and maintenance

  • Build skills to evaluate trail conditions and make informed management decisions

Optional Field Day- October 24
Sustainability & Stewardship of Trails

Register & Join Us!

SIGN UP FORM HERE

Optional Field Day Class

Field assessments and fieldwork, Learn hands-on approaches to assessment and stewardship

October 24, 9AM – 4PM

FAQs

  • 1) Volunteers supporting developing and maintaining natural surface trails and outdoor recreation.
    2) Community organization volunteers and staff supporting developing and maintaining natural surface trails and outdoor recreation.
    3) Land Managers (Parks Directors, Planners, and Maintenance Staff)
    4) Professionals in community or recreational planning and development.
    5) Professionals in outdoor retail and recreation.

  • 1) A willingness to learn.
    2) A notebook and writing utensils.
    3) Clothes appropriate for the weather and working outdoors.
    4) Closed-toe shoes, ideally a hiking or work boot.
    5) Water

  • The Optional Field Exercises will be hands-on manual labor outdoors using shovels, rakes, picks, and other tools often used in lawn care and landscaping. Experience using these types of tools is preferred.

    If you cannot lift 25 lbs, comfortably work outside for several hours, or have other serious health conditions, a Trail Care School is probably not for you.

Our Partnership

For over 30 years, the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) has led trail access, professional standards, and sustainable trail development worldwide, helping create 100,000+ miles of trails.

Since 1996, Trails Have Our Respect (THOR) has served as an IMBA Chapter, promoting trail advocacy, education, and sustainable infrastructure across Nebraska and Western Iowa.

Together, IMBA and THOR are committed to building more trails close to home.