AERC just completed another successful Trail Master training class at Glenville State College in Glenville, West Virginia. The instructor was Mike Riter, Terry Silver was the coordinator and Amanda Stewart was the host. We have three more classes scheduled for this year and all three classes are now filled. There is currently a waiting list of more than 80 AERC members who are looking forward to participating in a class next year.

The level of instruction so far and the backlog of those wanting instruction has prompted us to look for permanent sites for training across the United States.

Since Amanda Stewart participated in the April class in Glenville, she has established a working partnership between AERC and Glenville State College whereby we can use the college facilities for more classes. In addition, Amanda is preparing a class at the college where she will teach everything one needs to know about creating sustainable trails. The curriculum is under discussion and has the backing of the college.

Once the course syllabus is in place, I'll have it posted to the AERC trails web page. It will incorporate some interesting areas of study. Under consideration at this time is a section devoted to working in designated wilderness areas with just hand tools. Rigging, and using gravity as your friend, will be part of the instruction. Rick Potts, chief of wilderness stewardship, will come in from the National Park Service to teach part of the wilderness class.

While everything is falling into place at Glenville, Roger Taylor is working with the Bureau of Land Management to secure a training site at Ft. Stanton. AERC will not have to supply the classrooms and living quarters, but will buy hand tools for the classes. If anyone out there in "trails land" wants to make a special donation to cover the cost of hand tools for one or more of our permanent locations just let me or Terry Silver know. (For contact information, see the committee page.)

We want to extend the Trail Master class for an additional day, so the use of power equipment can be introduced to the class. That means we will need to find a way to acquire the necessary equipment. If anyone out there has a connection to Ditch Witch, please let me know.

Modern equipment can take the place of 40 workers per day. At the same time, the grade created to the trail tread is more accurate. ItŐs the way to go -- if you can afford the equipment.

There are three other areas where we want to create permanent training centers. Oregon is under consideration with the BLM. I'm in discussions with the National Park Service to create a site in the Central Region. That leaves California and the Mountain Region. I'd like to create a partnership in those two areas with the National Forest Service. If anyone has a site in mind let me or Terry Silver know.

We will maintain a high-quality level of instruction. Mr. Riter has agreed to assist us with periodic review of our instructors and the material being used for instruction. For riders seeking instruction the quality of the classes must remain the very best. It's my intent for AERC to produce the very best instruction for those who attend.

These are exciting times for AERC and its trail preservation efforts. We ask that you spend at least 20 hours a year off your horse and working on trails. If you can't do that, just send money. We need money to buy tools and equipment. The ideal thing is to work 20 hours and still send money. The program can certainly use the funds.

If you really like the trail work, consider becoming an AERC Trail Master. You will never look at a trail the same. And if you do send money, thank you so much. It will be put to very good use! Remember, all you need is a horse and a trail.