Building Strong Relationships With Land Managers for Trail Projects
It’s easy to think trail work is all about dirt, tools, and sweat equity. But here’s the truth: your next trail project may hinge less on how many volunteers show up and more on how strong your relationships are with local, state/provincial, or federal land managers.
Whether you’re trying to legalize an existing network or propose a brand-new system, trust is the currency that opens doors. And in an era of limited staff and increasing scrutiny, agencies need partners they can count on. Not just once, but again and again.
So how do you build that kind of relationship?
Let’s dig in.
Trail Org Origin Stories
Most trail organizations were born out of passion. A handful of riders saw a need, picked up tools, and started shaping dirt. But if you want your work to scale and stick, you need more than just enthusiasm. You need buy-in.
Land managers aren’t your obstacle. They’re your partners. They care about sustainability, user conflict, wildlife protection, and long-term maintenance. When you show up with respect, a willingness to learn their process, and a commitment to follow through, you begin to shift the dynamic from “us vs. them” to “let’s do this together.”
Tactical Tips to Build Long-Term Trust
1. Start with Listening, Not Pitching
Instead of opening with your dream trail map, start by asking questions:
What are your current priorities or concerns?
What’s worked well (or not) with trail users in the past?
Where do you see partnership opportunities?
This shows you’re not just there to get, but to give.
2. Learn Their Language
Federal and state agencies operate under frameworks you need to understand. Know the difference between NEPA and a Categorical Exclusion. Learn what a Trail Management Objective is. Respect the boundaries of seasonal closures, wildlife corridors, and heritage areas. When you speak their language, you become easier to work with.
3. Show Up Consistently
Trust isn’t built during one meeting. It’s built over time on trail workdays, at public comment sessions, and in monthly check-ins. Become a familiar face. Reliability matters more than charisma.
4. Bring Data, Not Just Emotion
You might be excited. But can you prove demand? Show trail counts, user surveys, or economic impact data. Agencies need evidence to justify projects. You’re not just a trail advocate. You’re a community ambassador.
5. Follow Through
If you say you’ll write a grant, do it. If you commit to organizing five work parties, deliver. Nothing tanks a relationship faster than over-promising and under-delivering.
Case Study: Bean Peaks Gravity Flow Trails (Prescott, AZ)
A real-world example of how this looks in action is the Bean Peaks Gravity Flow Trail System in Prescott, Arizona.
In 2023, a coalition that included the Prescott Mountain Bike Alliance (PMBA), City of Prescott, and IMBA’s Trail Solutions began working with the Prescott National Forest to approve a visionary new trail system designed for gravity riders. Instead of going rogue or applying pressure, they leaned into partnership.
They coordinated stakeholder input. They respected the USFS process. They aligned the design with the area’s recreation plan and conservation priorities. And when the time came for review, they had a track record of collaboration and trust behind them.
As a result, the Forest Service gave the green light, setting the stage for construction on nearly 17 miles of professionally designed flow trails.
Read the full story: Bean Peaks Flow Trail Gets Go-Ahead from USFS
Resources & Tools
Whether you’re a small club or an IMBA chapter, here are tools to strengthen your partnerships:
IMBA Advocacy Resources
Federal Programs & Planning Tools
State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plans (SCORP) – Search your state’s most recent SCORP for funding alignment.
Training & Community Engagement
Conclusion: Relationships Before Ribbons
You may not always get your way. Sometimes timelines stretch. Sometimes projects stall. But if your organization becomes known as a group that listens well, follows through, and builds trust, you’ll be at the table when decisions are made.
Start small. Show up. Be consistent. Your dream trail might just start with a handshake.
Sean Benesh
Sean is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Trail Builder Mag. He is also the Communications Director for the Northwest Trail Alliance in Portland, Oregon. Sean also spends time in the classroom as a digital media instructor at Warner Pacific University.
Email: sean@trailbuildermag.com
Instagram: @seanbenesh
