Price: $5

Workshop size is limited to 35 participants.  Pearisburg residents and local community organizations members participate for free.  

THURSDAY EXCURSION:
Appalachian Trail Hike
The hike will explore a section of the Appalachian Trail (AT) along Sugar Run Mountain in Giles County.  The AT runs along the crest of Sugar Run Mountain to an overlook that provides a vista of the Wilburn Valley.  We will discuss the benefits of green infrastructure planning as well as the process of realigning the A.T. in Giles County.  The hike is an easy 6-mile round trip with gentle grades.
Price: Free

What to Bring: Water, snacks, proper hiking attire.

Excursion Guide:

Workshop size is limited to 7 participants. Will leave from Pearisburg Town Offices at 1 p.m. Directions to Pearisburg is on page 1 of program.

CONFERENCE KICKOFF:
Radford Outdoors and Downtown Experience
3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Come explore the best of the outdoors in Radford!  Special events include an afternoon of floating on the New River, a leisurely bike ride along the Riverway Bikepath, where participants will learn of funding sources for alternative transportation projects, a session on birding in the area, as well as an informational session in the outdoor classroom on additional trails and recreational opportunities throughout the region. Transportation will be provided to the river float drop-off zone in Riverview Park, where you can then enjoy the breathtaking scenery and soothing currents of the New River.  Other opportunities are abound in Wildwood Park and along the Riverway Trail, so feel free to explore! Don’t forget to walk through historic downtown Radford and browse the unique specialty stores with sidewalk sales and specials from our local merchants along Main Street.  End your afternoon with a delicious catered meal at Dudley’s Landing, before finishing out the evening with music at The Coffee Mill, and it’s all FREE! 

Directions to Bisset Park:

From I-81, Take exit 109 for VA-177, Turn left at E Main St/US-11 follow through downtown. You will see signs for Bisset Park. Turn right onto Berkeley Williams Drive. Continue downhill into the park. Check in will be held at Shelter 1 (It is the first shelter when you come into Bisset Park).
Map can be found at http://www.radford.va.us/News/Bikeway-Walkway.pdf

Friday, May 18th

Registration
8:00 - 9:00 a.m. in the Heth Ballroom

Welcome and Introductions
9:00 - 9:15 am
The Department of Forestry (DOF) will introduce our Keynote Speaker Chuck Flink.

Keynote Address:
Economic Benefits of Greenspace
9:15 - 10:15 a.m.
Greenways and greenspace are often times characterized as a “luxury” that communities can afford when economic times are good.  Mr. Flink’s presentation will explore the wide range of economic benefits and truths about greenspace and greenways.  The presentation will focus on how greenspace effectively reduces the public sector costs associated with providing services, adds value to local landscapes, and generates new sources of revenues that can serve to grow the local economy.  Mr. Flink will cite specific examples where these benefits have occurred.
Speaker:

• Chuck Flink – Director, Greenways Inc.

Refreshment Break
10:15 – 10:30 a.m.

Recreation and Economic Development: Let’s Hear the Numbers, Programs and What Works.
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Randall Rose, a tourism development specialist for the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) will highlight the economic impact of recreational tourism in the region. VTC will also showcase service opportunities available to recreational businesses, including connections to funding sources, entrepreneurial and small business development, tourism development planning and more. Mr. Rose will be accompanied by Shawn Hash, owner of Tangent Outfitters. Mr. Hash, will highlight his efforts to start up and operate a successful recreational tourism enterprise.
Speakers:

• Randall Rose - Tourism Development Specialist, Virginia Tourism Corporation
• Shawn Hash - Owner of Tangent Outfitters, Board of Directors for Virginia Tourism Corporation

Lunch Continues with Active Living by Design
12:20 – 12:40 p.m.
The design of a neighborhood has profound yet often overlooked effects on the physical health of communities.  Active living by design is a development paradigm that attempts to increase the pedestrian friendliness of cities by providing pedestrian and bike corridors that connect the community.  Our speaker will illuminate the concepts behind Active Living by Design, including specific design considerations and the effect these can have on the physical well-being of a neighborhood.  The presentation will include methods to seamlessly integrate active living design into automobile-oriented neighborhoods.

Management Structures of Multi-Jurisdictional Trails
1:00– 1:45 p.m.
This presentation will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a variety of organizational structures that manage and maintain green infrastructure and trail networks.  
Speakers:

Trail Management & Economic Development
1:45 – 2:30 p.m.

Join this panel in discussing what management factors influence the success of economic development and trails implementation.  The roundtable component of the session will address– How can we determine where we are going to be in 5-10 years? What factors determine the success of any trail and its surrounding businesses? How can zoning, ordinances and other management factors effect the overall economic growth to communities with trails?
Speakers:

• Mark Hufeisen - Principle Park Manager  Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation , Division of State Parks,  New River Trail State Park
• Donnie Underwood - Parks and Greenways Planner, Roanoke Parks and Recreation Department
• Karen Firehock - Environmental Planner
  University of Virginia

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR )                    
Trails and Greenway Program 

4:20 - 4:55 p.m.
DCR will talk about the Trails and Greenways Program and will answer questions about how the grant program works.

Speakers:

ROOM B- Concurrent Session

Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) - River Access Program
User Pays, Payer Benefits

3:00 - 3:35 p.m.
Participants will be given a brief overview of DGIF’s responsibility to provide boating access opportunities to the public.  Learn about funding the agency receives to provide access, the restrictions placed on properties by the providers of these funds and the reasons the Department develops boating access as it does.  The presentation will also illuminate the New Boat Access site selection process for anyone who desires to apply for grant funds.
Speaker:

Bike Walk VA   

3:40 - 4:15 p.m.
Learn about statewide programs currently offered through BikeWalk Virginia. This non-profit education and advocacy organization has been working with state agencies to develop a comprehensive approach to creating biking, walking, and trail friendly communities all across Virginia. Programs involve public school safety education, citizen advocacy, and education events to create healthy communities, economies, and environments!
Speaker:

• Allen Turnbull – Director, Bike Walk Virginia

   

  ROOM C- Concurrent Session

Virginia Department of                                          
Transportation (VDOT)

3:00 – 3:35 p.m.
Come learn more about the administrative processes for road enhancement, recreational access, revenue sharing, and more.  This session will enhance participant’s ability to have effective interaction with VDOT and other funding agencies.
Speaker:

• David Clarke - Christiansburg Resident Administrator, Virginia Department of Transportation

Active Living by Design

3:40 – 4:15 p.m.
Statistics show that less than 30% of the U.S adults have the required level of daily physical activity. Meanwhile cars are used 80% for trips below only 1 mile and only 10% of kids walk to school.  We have designed our communities according to the automobile, restricting people’s choices for walking and riding bicycles.  This presentation focuses on how we can design communities and neighborhoods in ways that influencing human behavior by providing opportunities for people to engage in walking and cycling as part of their everyday activities.
Speaker:

• Patrick Miller – Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Outreach in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies at Virginia Tech.

Bike Walk VA   

3:40 - 4:15 p.m.
Learn about statewide programs currently offered through BikeWalk Virginia. This non-profit education and advocacy organization has been working with state agencies to develop a comprehensive approach to creating biking, walking, and trail friendly communities all across Virginia. Programs involve public school safety education, citizen advocacy, and education events to create healthy communities, economies, and environments!
Speaker:

• Allen Turnbull – Director, Bike Walk Virginia

   

  ROOM C- Concurrent Session

Virginia Department of                                          
Transportation (VDOT)

3:00 – 3:35 p.m.
Come learn more about the administrative processes for road enhancement, recreational access, revenue sharing, and more.  This session will enhance participant’s ability to have effective interaction with VDOT and other funding agencies.
Speaker:

• David Clarke - Christiansburg Resident Administrator, Virginia Department of Transportation

Active Living by Design

3:40 – 4:15 p.m.
Statistics show that less than 30% of the U.S adults have the required level of daily physical activity. Meanwhile cars are used 80% for trips below only 1 mile and only 10% of kids walk to school.  We have designed our communities according to the automobile, restricting people’s choices for walking and riding bicycles.  This presentation focuses on how we can design communities and neighborhoods in ways that influencing human behavior by providing opportunities for people to engage in walking and cycling as part of their everyday activities.
Speaker:

• Patrick Miller – Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Outreach in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies at Virginia Tech.

Closing Remarks and Announcements
5:00-5:15

Selu Social
6:30 – 10:00 p.m.
Following completion of the day’s sessions, come unwind at RU Selu Conservancy Barn located along the Little River.  Indulge in a little BBQ, beer and Southwest Virginia Heritage Music.  The evening’s events will be sponsored and organized by the Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail. Come bid on the silent auction featuring Southwest Virginia Art Work that will benefit the development of local artisan trails for tourism.
Price: $15.

Directions to Selu Conservancy are on page 1 of the program.

Saturday May 19th

Registration
8:00 – 9:00 a.m. in the Heth Ballroom

Welcome and Congressman Boucher’s Deputy Chief of Staff Laura Lee
9:00 - 9:30 am
Speaker:

CONCURRENT SESSIONS

9:30 – 12:30 p.m.

-Resources for Community Groups-

The Role of the Citizen Group   

  
9:30 – 10:05 am
Community organizations, locality staff, non-profits and all other interested parties! Come learn essential techniques to make your organization more effective in trail implementation and development. Learn more about working with state funding agencies and local government officials.  Engage in a conversation describing the ideal interaction between VDOT and other funding agencies.
Speakers:

• David Clarke – Christiansburg Resident Administrator , Virginia Department of Transportation
• Dan Brugh - Blacksburg/Christiansburg MPO

Promotional Strategies that                      
Work 

        
10:10 – 10:45 am          
Learn how to effectively promote your ideas using a variety of innovative marketing techniques. Participants will be given the tools to design effective newsletters and web sites in order to generate interest, promote participation and maintain enthusiasm in volunteer and community interest groups.
Speakers:

• Allen Turnbull – Director, Bike Walk Virginia
• Dave Anderson – Program Coordinator, Bike Walk Virginia

  Refreshment Break
  10:45 – 11:00 a.m.
  

Safe Routes to School Program

11:00 -12:15 pm           
Why does Safe Routes to School (SRTS) matter, and how can you take an active role in bringing SRTS initiatives to your community?  Strategies for addressing the 5E approach (Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, Engineering, & Evaluation) will be presented to give people the tools to begin making SRTS a part of their community and schools.
Speaker:

• Jakob Hembolt - Safe Routes to School Coordinator for the Commonwealth, Virginia Department of Transportation

Refreshment Break
10:45 – 11:00 a.m.

Trails and Tourism                          

                                                                             
11:00 – 11:45 am.
Learn more about how to get your grassroots efforts together to develop a trail in your community.   Discover  more about the behind the scenes organizing from the Tobacco Heritage Trail example.
Speaker:

 Trail Development                                           

11:45 – 12:30 pm        

Engage in this multi-faceted discussion of the in’s and out’s of Right of Way acquisition, easements, and landowner liability issues for all recreational infrastructure.  This will be an especially interesting session with a diverse variety of speakers and players.
Speakers:

Water Trail Topics-

Riverside Camping and Recreation Site Management

9:30 – 10:45 am
This session will address the management of riverside campsites, campgrounds, and recreation sites to limit associated visitation-related impacts to natural resources.  Management strategies and practices for sustaining visitor use of these sites will be presented and discussed, including the development/ management of formal campsites, campgrounds, and recreation sites and informal (visitor-created) sites.  Specific topics include the selection, construction, and maintenance of these sites and visitor management actions, such as low impact use practices and regulations. 
Speaker:

• Jeff Marion – Adjunct Professor, Natural Resource Recreation Virginia Tech/ Unit Leader, U.S. Geological Survey

Refreshment Break
10:45 – 11:00 a.m.

Managing Riverside Trails, Unsurfaced Roads, and River Accesses

11:00 – 12:30 p.m.
This session will address the management of riverside trails and unsurfaced roads and river access to limit associated visitation-related impacts to natural resources.  Management strategies and practices for sustaining visitor use of these sites will be presented and discussed.  Specific topics include the selection, construction, and maintenance of these sites to minimize impacts such as erosion of soils into rivers.  The session will include a short presentation followed by a van trip to one or two local sites on the New River to view and discuss session topics.
Speaker:

• Jeff Marion – Adjunct Professor, Natural Resource Recreation Virginia Tech/ Unit Leader, U.S. Geological Survey

Linking Transportation Planning and Green Infrastructure.

10:10 - 10:45 a.m.
The presentation will provide an overview of new federal SAFETEA-LU legislation which relates to Green Infrastructure financing and implementation. Participants can learn more about the connection of Green
Infrastructure to transportation planning and its process, how to define opportunities to engage transportation agencies on green infrastructure planning, and more.
Speaker:

Federal Highways Administration

Refreshment Break
10:45 – 11:00 a.m.

Financing your Green Infrastructure Priorities

11:00 - 11:45 a.m.
The presenters will provide an in-depth review of creative funding strategies for land conservation. Examples and "how-to's" will be provided for a full range of land acquisition funding options from creating and expanding public funding sources, to innovative ways to leverage public and private funding. Other programs that enhance land conservation efforts, such as brownfields restoration and agricultural economic development programs will be introduced. The session will also offer suggestions about how to utilize and integrate existing programs and policies into the implementation of a green infrastructure design.
Speaker:
Reggie Hall - The Conservation Fund

Lunch and Closing Remarks
12:30 – 1:30 pm

Saturday May 19th Afternoon Excursions

- DAY TRIPS -
Departure Time: Saturday Afternoon
Return Time: 6:00 pm Saturday

~ Foster Falls Bike Ride
Take a 6-mile guided bike ride along the New River Trail and learn more about design elements that make a successful Bikeway.  Park staff will also describe the history of the trail and potential additions and improvements for the regional trails system.
Price: $18
What to bring: Water, snacks, proper biking attire.
Excursion Guide:

• Mark Hufeisen – NRT State Park

  Workshop size is limited to 10 participants

~ Foster Falls Horse Back Ride
Saddle up for a four and one-half hour guided horse back ride from Foster Falls to the Ogle Tract campsite by three experienced guides.  Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about designing trails for horses and learn about examples of successful horse trails in the region.
Price: $60
What to bring: water and comfortable horseback riding attire (shoes with a heel, pants).
Excursion Guides:

• NRT State Park

Workshop size is limited to 10 participants

~ New River Canoe Trip/Kayak Trip
This 7-mile float will start at Foster Falls, the headquarters for the New River Trail State Park and end at Rt. 100 at the Bluecat on the New campgrounds.  Along the way stories will be told about the history of the area and of the New River in Carroll and Wythe.  Chances are good that you will see many different species of animals including osprey, bald eagle, red tail hawk and blue heron.  The progress of the proposed New River Blueway will be discussed.  The river trip will take approximately 3 hours with another 1 1/2 hour travel time. Participants may choose between a two-person canoe or a single-person kayak.
Price: $50
What to bring: Please bring water, snacks and appropriate canoeing attire (hat, sun protection, long sleeve shirt, etc).
Excursion Guides:

• Donnie Turner, Bluecat on the New Outfitters-Draper, VA.
  Workshop size is limited to 15 participants.

Workshop size is limited to 10 participants.

-OVERNIGHT TRIPS-
For the true green infrastructure and trails advocates, we’ll let you sleep in some of the infrastructure– the woods!

Departure Time: Saturday afternoon
Return Time: Sunday 12:00 p.m.

Option A

~ Foster Falls Bike Ride
Ride along the New River Trail and learn more about design elements which make a successful bikeway.  Park Staff will also describe the history of the trail and potential additions and improvements to the regional trails system. Saturday’s activities will end at the Ogle Tract campsite, will you will meet up with the Foster Fall’s horseback ride participants (below).  Participants will be provided with a picnic-style dinner and campout for the night.  Wake up Sunday to breakfast provided by your guides.
Price: $36
What to Bring: Tents, sleeping bag, personal gear.  All gear will be transported to the campsite by park staff.
Excursion Guide:

Excursion size is limited to 10 participants

Option B

~Foster Falls Horseback Ride
Saddle up for a four and one-half hour guided horse back ride from Foster Falls to the Ogle Tract campsite led by three experienced horseback riding tour guides. Participants will have the opportunity ask questions on trails in the region.  Saturday’s activities will end at the Ogle Tract campsite, will you will meet up with the Foster Fall’s bike ride participants.  Participants will be provided with a picnic-style dinner and campout for the night.  Wake up Sunday to breakfast provided by your guides.
Price: $100
What to Bring: Tent, sleeping bag, personal gear, proper horseback riding attire (shoes with a heel, pants, etc). Prepare for weather. All gear will be transported to the campsite by park staff.
Excursion Guides:

• NRT State Park

Workshop size is limited to 10 participants

Option C

~Foster Falls Horseback Ride/Bike Ride
Enjoy both a horseback ride and bike ride throughout the New River Trail State Park! From Foster Falls you will travel via horseback to the Ogle Tract campsite, where you will meet up with the Foster Fall’s bike ride participants.  Participants will be provided with a picnic-style dinner and campout for the night.  Wake up Sunday to breakfast provided by your guides and bike ride back to the Falls!
Price: $78
What to Bring: Tent, sleeping bag, personal gear, proper horseback (shoes with a heel, pants etc.) and bicycle riding attire. Prepare for weather. All gear will be transported to the campsite by park staff.
Excursion Guides:

• NR T State Park
  

Workshop is limited to 10 participants