Workshop: Governance and Sustainability of Trail Systems: From Principles to Practice
As long-distance trail systems expand globally, governance and sustainability have become central challenges to ensuring their long-term effectiveness in conservation, community development, and public use. This session, led by the Sustainability & Governance Task Team of the World Trails Network, will present emerging approaches, practical tools, and case-based insights for designing and implementing governance models across different scales.
Drawing on experiences from the Americas, the session will explore key dimensions such as multi-level governance, co-management arrangements, sustainable financing mechanisms, stakeholder engagement, and integration with biodiversity conservation frameworks, including Protected and Conserved Areas (PCAs), ecological corridors, and Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs).
The session will highlight comparative findings from ongoing research and field-based initiatives, including lessons learned from trail systems operating in diverse socio-ecological contexts. It will also introduce practical guidance for practitioners, policymakers, and organizations seeking to strengthen institutional arrangements and enhance the long-term sustainability of trail networks.
Participants will be invited to engage in a dialogue on shared challenges and opportunities, contributing to a collective agenda for advancing governance innovation in trail systems worldwide.
Cesar Aspiazu, Projects Director, Pan American Trails (WTN Americas), World Trails Network – Hub for the Americas / Bolivian Trails Network
