Land
Manager Forum
2023

9:00 – 10:00
New Partnerships for New Trails

Partnerships are behind recent success on trails. The presenters in this panel will highlight some of their recent work with the goal of sharing both the challenges and successes with the hope that other trail projects can benefit from their experience.

Presenters:
• Warren Hill – Work Supervisor, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, National Park Service
• Tim George - Trails Group Director, Kijik Corporation
• Claire LeClaire – Chugach Park Fund

Presentations:

Chugach Park Fund Presentation Slides

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve and Kijik Corporation Slides

10:15 – 11:30
Alaska Long Trail – Next Steps for Success

The Alaska Long Trail continues to gain momentum as more people, both inside and outside of Alaska, get excited about the prospect of trails linking Seward and Fairbanks. The presenters will detail recent successes – including funding and preparation for projects in 2024 - as well as outlining what’s next for the coalition that is working to get the trail built. The BLM is leading the study to determine whether the Alaska Long Trail can be added to the National Scenic Trail list, and they will provide an update on that process.

Presenters:

• Mariyam Medovaya - Alaska Long Trail Project Manager
• Xavier Lopez - Alaska Long Trail Mapping and GIS contractor
• Sam Dinges - Alaska Long Trail Mat-Su Coordinator
• Zach Million - BLM-AK Program Lead for Recreation, Travel Management & National Conservation Lands

Presentations:

Alaska Long Trail - Alaska Trails Presentation

Alaska Long Trail - BLM Presentation

11:45 – 12:05
Migratory Bird Act - 20 Minute Video

Presenter:

• Craig Townsend – BLM Wildlife Biologist, Anchorage Field Office

2:30 – 3:15
E-Bikes – New Regulations (Or Not) for Alaska

E-Bikes are increasing in popularity, both in the retail and rental markets. This panel will explore what has and hasn’t happened in Alaska in regards to recreation in an attempt to detail what the current regulations are for E-bike users on municipal, borough, state and the various federal land managers' lands. The discussion will start with Rep. Carrick outlining the bill that passed in the last legislative session (HB DD), that was vetoed by Governor Dunleavy.

Presenters:

• Rep. Ashely Carrick – AK House of Representatives – District 35
• Stolf Short – Outdoor Recreation Planner, BLM - Alaska
• Carey Shiflea - Owner - Alaska eBike Store

Presentations:

Alaska eBike Presentation

BLM eBike Presentation

1:00 – 2:15
Contractor Panel – Trail Work in Alaska

Contractors have an increasingly important role to play in trail projects. The amount of funding and work that is available is eclipsing the current capacity of the contractors we have in Alaska. Alaska Trails is hoping to continue to connect the dots to more money in Alaska – especially new federal funding, while at the same time ensuring that all current contractors are fully engaged. In addition, Alaska Trails is hoping to continue the discussion of how to grow more trail contractors in Alaska.

Presenters:

• Christine Byl and Gabe Travis - Interior Trails
• Jon Underwood - Happy Trails
• Dusty Eroh - Northern Trail Maintenance
• Lee Bolling - Coffman Engineers

• Tim George - Trails Group Director, Kijik Corporation
• Tim Gould - Engineer, Kijik Corporation

Presentations:

Interior Trails Presentation

Northern Trail Maintenance Presentation

3:30 – 5:00
Project Updates

From Sitka to Tutka, and a few places in between, this annual panel gives the opportunity for updates from around the state on exciting projects and programs that are in process or planned.

Presenters:

• Will Taygan – Alaska Mountain Bike Summit follow-up
• Ben Hughey – Sitka Trail Works
• Kenzie Barnwell – National Forest Foundation
• Rachel Blakeslee – Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area
• Hig Higman – Tutka Backdoor Trail

Presentations:

Sitka Trail Works Presentation

National Forest Foundation Presentation

Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area Presentation

Alaska Mountain Bike Summit Presentation

Tutka Backdoor Trail Presentation