The annual Trail Fund NZ Conference and AGM provides an opportunity for volunteer and professional trail builders, and land managers from local and central government to get together, share ideas and learn from each other.
After four goes in the North Island, the Trail Fund conference is heading south for a weekend in September. Given the average summer we had, we’re banking on a decent spring and heading to the sunniest place in New Zealand – Nelson!
To take part in the discussion, or just listen in, join Trail Fund NZ in Nelson to dig, ride and discuss the roles volunteers and landowners will play in developing NZ’s trail network going forward. There will be shuttles, craft beer, great riding and plenty of time for banter. Check out the full details below:
Date: 23-24 September 2017
Location: Nelson
Schedule:
Saturday, 23 September
Daytime – Group Rides Around Nelson
Nelson has a massive amount of tracks to explore. This will be an opportunity to hook up with locals and ride with them on their own tracks. As we have done with our other conferences, this is more than just a ride, it’s a chance to talk about the tracks, the challenges the local builders face and to see different approaches to resolving on the trail issues.
Evening – Trail Fund AGM and Conference starting at 4:30pm,
Venue (for talks and AGM): Styx Restaurant http://www.styxrestaurant.co.nz/
At 4:30pm we will kick off. We always like to hear what other people are doing, so we will start the evening with a few brief talks. We welcome submissions for 15-20 minutes presentations – email grants@trailfund.org.nz if you would like a spot. As long as it is about trails you are welcome to present, it could be a case study of your latest build, or a presentation on your latest plans. As always, there will be a panel discussion (topic TBC). We’ll finish this part of the day about 6:30pm.
At 7pm, we’ll kick into dinner and following that, at 8:30pm, we’ll run the Trail Fund AGM. We like to keep these short and sweet. Chairperson Russel Garlick will briefly present the achievements of Trail Fund over the past year and we’ll have a few speakers. The venue will be in Nelson, somewhere with good beer. The conference ticket will include dinner.
Sunday, 24 September
You can choose to do your own riding around Nelson, or join us for the Trail Sessions.
Morning – Trail Sessions
There will be two separate sessions
1) DIG DAY - Come dig with us
The NMTBC is working on a new track, which once complete, is sure to be a real drawcard for the area. We’ll split into team and head into the forest. Thanks to Specialized NZ for their support. We welcome other bikes shops and brands to help contribute to this day – it can be spot prizes or a contribution to the BBQ.
Come ready to dig. The trail sessions will wrap up around 1pm. This will mark the end of the conference proper.
2) TRAIL CREW TRAINING
At the same time as the dig, we will be running our Trail Crew Training session. We will be using this as a session to accredit some of our new trainers so they can deliver this training for us in their local regions. If you are interested in becoming a trainer, then email trailcrew@trailfund.org.nz and we can run you through the process.
This session costs $30 and includes at limited edition Trail Fund Trail Crew T-Shirt.
Afternoon - Trail Ride
For those of you not heading off home, groups will be heading out for a trail ride.
Costs
$35 to cover the expenses of putting on nibbles and dinner on Saturday. There will also be a cash bar (as in your cash).
We do need people to register so that we can confirm details. Click HERE to register.