formerly the Monthly Trails Zoom
2026 Elevate Trails AZ Live Lunch Schedule:
1/26 - Arizona Trail VETS Program - Michael "Chappy" Chappell
2/23 - Outdoor250 - Neil Large
3/23 - Bisbee Bikeways - Meggen Connolley
4/20 - Trust for Public Lands: Tools to Acquire Real Estate for Projects - Michael Patrick
5/18 - Sun Corridor Trail Updates - RJ Cardin
6/20 - Assessing and Building more Accessible Trails; Beneficial Designs - Todd Ackerman
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Monday, April 20, 2026 - 12pm-1pm
Trust for Public Lands: Tools to Acquire Real Estate for Trail Projects​​​​​​​​​​​
JT Horn, National Director of Trails & Michael Patrick, Senior Project Manager AZ
​The Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit with a focus on “connecting everyone to the outdoors,” is a leader in protecting land and creating parks, trails and community schoolyards for community benefit. TPL has a strategic focus on creating new trails and protecting existing trail segments through acquisition of land or rights of way having protected lands that host over 3,100 miles of trail nationwide.
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Join us to hear from J.T. Horn, TPL’s National Director of Trails, and Michael Patrick, a Senior Project Manager who leads TPL’s Arizona program, to discuss partnerships with trail managers and insight into conservation real estate techniques that lead to trail protection or trail network expansion. Examples of TPL’s Arizona portfolio include Del Rio Springs/Verde Headwaters State Park, which includes an extension of the Peavine National Recreation Trail, and the Gila River Linear Park and Trail in Safford and Thatcher, which will soon be a destination trail promoting tourism in rural Graham County.
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Monday, March 23, 2026 - 12pm-1pm
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Bisbee Bikeways
One of the more exciting efforts for trails statewide is happening down near our southern border in the historic community of Bisbee, Arizona. Meggen Connolley is on a mission to create safe pathways for Bisbee residents, especially it's youth, uniting key stakeholders including the City of Bisbee, Cochise County, ADOT, Freeport McMoRan and the local community. Learn more about what's happening and what fuels this effort.
Did you miss it? Check out the recorded session below:​​​​
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Monday, February 23, 2026 - 12pm-1pm
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Outdoor250
Outdoors250 is Arizona’s way of celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday by getting people outside and connected to the places that define us. As part of the nationwide America250 initiative, Outdoors250 uses Arizona’s trails and birding opportunities as an invitation for people to explore the state, discover new places, and build a deeper relationship with the outdoors. Join Neil Large from the Arizona Office of Outdoor Recreation for the next Elevate AZ Trails Live Lunch Presentation at noon on February 23 to learn how this effort is coming together and how you can get involved. This is a great opportunity to collaborate with partners across Arizona, grow a stronger statewide outdoor network, and help turn everyday trail users into passionate outdoor advocates.
Neil Large, Program Administrator, Office of Outdoor Recreation, AZ State Parks and Trails​
Did you miss it? Check out the recorded session below:
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Monday, January 26, 2026 - 12pm-1pm
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Arizona Trail Association VETS Program
Leveraging the EXPLORE/MVP Acts and Operation Freedom March for Access, Stewardship, and Community Impact. The AZT Veteran Engagement & Trail Stewardship (VETS) program is focused on connecting those who have served our country with fellow service members and the Arizona National Scenic Trail, creating meaningful opportunities for military veterans on and off the trail.
Michael "Chappy" Chappell, VETS Program Director, Arizona Trail Association​
Did you miss it? Check out the recorded session below:
A Case Study for Accessibility: Gallatin Valley Land Trust
Monday, April 28, 2025 - 12pm-1pm
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​Since 1990, the Main Street to the Mountains trail system has connected Bozeman’s core to public lands throughout the Gallatin Valley. Through a partnership between the City of Bozeman and Gallatin Valley Land Trust, the trail system has continued to grow—improving connections, access, and safety to provide unique outdoor experiences and support a healthy lifestyle for generations to come.
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Adam Johnson, Trails Program Manager
www.GVLT.org Watch our video – Building Community Through Trails and Open Space
Did you miss it? Check out the recorded session below:
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Responses to a Changing Federal Climate
Monday, March 24, 2025 - 12pm-1pm
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​We invite Network participants who are engaged with Federal agencies to gather and share updates, resources and strategies as the new Administration implements a changing vision for the Federal Government and its role in managing public lands.
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Did you miss it? Check out the recorded session below:
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