For Episode 196 we have J.T. Horn, J.T, is the Trail Director for the Trust for Public Land. J.T. was also one of two guests on episode 192 where we discussed the Economic Impact that Mountain Biking can have on communities. For this episode we are discussing various ways to bridge the gap between Land Conservation organizations and the Trail Community. This topic can be a rather important topic because land access for trails is often one of the most challenging hurdles for trail development. As J.T. describes during this conversation, partnering with a Land Conservation Organization that understands the value of trails and outdoor recreation can be a critical step in the trail development process. I always really enjoy perspective that J.T. brings during our conversations and I hope you do as well!

Topics Include:

• The J.T. Horn backstory
• What the Trust for Public Land is, and how the TPL came to be
• How to engage with the Trust for Public Land for a Land Acquisition
  • The risk and financial lens
  • Focus mainly on high impact larger projects
• Tualatin Mountain Forest – Portland OR.
• Due diligence in real estate:
  • Four Key Components
    • Value of the Land
    • Land Survey (Size / Neighbors / Etc.)
    • Title Search / existing rights on the property
    • Environmental Status
  • Bridging the gap between Conservation Organizations and the Trail Community
  • The partnership between the Trust for Public Land and IMBA
  • An example project between the TPL and IMBA
    • Mono Pond State Park in CT
  • The shift in mindset from conserving and preserving land to moving to creating more recreational land on these properties
  • Winter and Summer economics that revolve around outdoor recreation
    • Bethel, MA – Sunday River / Bethel Community Forest
  • Carrabassett Valley, MA and Crocker Mountain Unit
  • Catamount Outdoor Family Center
  • Examples of avenues for funding opportunities
  • Potential Partnership between forest product companies and Trail Organizations
  • Life Wisdom by J.T. Horn
  • Land Acquisition Strategy using good parcel data
  • What J.T. looks for in a Trail Community
  • Closing Comments

Trail EAffect Show Links:

The Trust for Public Land: https://www.tpl.org/

The Tualatin Mountain Forest: https://www.tpl.org/our-work/tualatin-mountain-forest

Mono Pond State Park: https://www.tpl.org/our-work/bigger-better-mono-pond-state-park

Catamount Outdoor Family Center: https://catamountoutdoor.org/

Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/

Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com

KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh

Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/josh

Smith’s Bike Shop – 130 Years of Excellence: www.smithsbikes.com

Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com

This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For Episode 195 we have Chris Stindt as our guest. Chris is heavily involved hosting bicycle related events, all sorts of bicycle related events. During this conversation we uncover the value that events bring to communities, and in many ways these events help to build stronger communities.

Topics Include:

• The Chris Stindt backstory
• Chris’s role at Smith’s Bike Shop
• Events as a vehicle for raising money to fund trails
• An overview of multiple events before going into a deep dive on them
• A Brief History of WORS Racing in La Crosse
• The La Crosse Omnium Road Race – What this event does for the region
  • Side conversation about Kwik Trip
• Deeper into what to expect at ORA Trails Fest and the UCI racing aspect of 2025’s event
  • Enduro Racing at ORA Trails Fest
• USA Cycling Gravel Nationals – La Crescent, MN – Across the river from La Crosse, WI
• Smith’s Bike Shop and the 130-Year Anniversary – 1895 to Present – Yet another community event
• Other events that Smith’s Bike Shop Supports – Valet Bike Parking at the Moon Tunes Summer Concert Series with the Beer By Bike Brigade.
• What Chris looks for in Trail Communities
• Closing Comments

Trail EAffect Show Links:

La Crosse Omnium: https://www.lacrosseomnium.com/

ORA Trails Fest: https://www.oratrailsfest.com/

Smith’s Bike Shop – 130 Years of Excellence: www.smithsbikes.com

USA Cycling Gravel National Championships: https://gravelnats.usacycling.org/

I Helped Design the Gravel Nationals Course Coming to Minnesota. Then We Pre-Rode It (And It’s Going to Hurt) – Words: Chris Stindt https://www.thenxrth.com/post/i-helped-design-the-gravel-nationals-course-coming-to-minnesota-then-we-pre-rode-it-and-it-s-goin

Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/

Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com

KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh

Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/josh

Smith’s Bike Shop – 130 Years of Excellence: www.smithsbikes.com

Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com

This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For Episode 194 Martha Becton takes over again, this time at the 2025 International Trail Summit, which was held this past April in Madison, WI. Similar to when Martha took over last year at the PTBA Conference, Martha is back, and this time she’s got 6 other guests who dive back into the topic of Women in Trail Building.

Topics Include:

• Intro by Martha Becton – Owner of Becton Trails
• Desi Jarrell – Director of Outdoor Recreation Perry County Fiscal Court
• Kathie Brennan – Vice President Ozark Trail Association
• Valerie Niles – Open Space Technician Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
• Heidi Tillmanns – Director Trail & Infrastructure Trans Canada Trail
• Stacey Dakin – Chief Program Officer Trans Canada Trail
• Kathie Brennan – Working with AmeriCorps staff
• Martha – Volunteering as a retirement job, and staying active when older in life
• Kathie Brennan – What is now my purpose?
• Erica Hirsch – Trails Program Manager Cleveland Metroparks
  • Working for multiple winters in Patagonia Argentina
• Martha – What hooked you into trails – and how can you get into this career of trails
• Trails as a second career (later in life)
• Transferable Skills into trails – (Hint, everything is transferable)
• Desi and Kathie – NICA and getting kids and families on bikes
• Closing Comments

Trail EAffect Show Links:

International Trails Summit: https://www.trails-summit.org/

Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/

Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com

KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh

Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/josh

Smith’s Bike Shop – 130 Years of Excellence: www.smithsbikes.com

Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com

This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services