Trails risk management - level 1

Managing trails is about managing risk. Offering trail opportunities creates a significant community asset with immense tangible and intangible benefits. Balanced against these positive effects comes an obligation and responsibility to do it right. There is an inherent tension between providing recreation opportunities and at the same time protecting against their possible negative side effects. This is the mediating role risk management plays. This live webinar lays the foundation for trail builders, managers and volunteers to plan and organize their risk management practices. This introductory theory course is part 1 of a two-part risk management module, which is the foundation course for the Ontario Trails Council’s full Trail Management Training program.

The theory session covers:

• Mandatory baseline risk management practices
• The legal environment and defenses against negligence
• Risk management systems and user safety
• Access, information and signage principles

This live webinar is taught by Jeff Jackson, Ph.D., a recognized expert in trail risk management and long-time facilitator of the OTC’s risk management training. His experience ranges from provincial level policy development, expert opinion in trail-based legal proceedings, publishing a number of risk management chapters in trail related publications, and work as a trail builder and manager in both winter and summer.