July 22, 2025

J.T. Horn | The Trust for Public Land | Bridging the gap between Land Conservation Organizations and Trails | 196

J.T. Horn | The Trust for Public Land | Bridging the gap between Land Conservation Organizations and Trails | 196
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J.T. Horn | The Trust for Public Land | Bridging the gap between Land Conservation Organizations and Trails | 196

For Episode 196 we have J.T. Horn, J.T, is the Trail Director for the Trust for Public Land. J.T. was also one of two guests on episode 192 where we discussed the Economic Impact that Mountain Biking can have on communities. For this episode we are discussing various ways to bridge the gap between Land Conservation organizations and the Trail Community. This topic can be a rather important topic because land access for trails is often one of the most challenging hurdles for trail development. As J.T. describes during this conversation, partnering with a Land Conservation Organization that understands the value of trails and outdoor recreation can be a critical step in the trail development process. I always really enjoy perspective that J.T. brings during our conversations and I hope you do as well!

Topics Include:

  • The J.T. Horn backstory
  • What the Trust for Public Land is, and how the TPL came to be
  • How to engage with the Trust for Public Land for a Land Acquisition
    • The risk and financial lens
    • Focus mainly on high impact larger projects
  • Tualatin Mountain Forest – Portland OR.
  • Due diligence in real estate:
    • Four Key Components
      • Value of the Land
      • Land Survey (Size / Neighbors / Etc.)
      • Title Search / existing rights on the property
      • Environmental Status
    • Bridging the gap between Conservation Organizations and the Trail Community
    • The partnership between the Trust for Public Land and IMBA
    • An example project between the TPL and IMBA
      • Mono Pond State Park in CT
    • The shift in mindset from conserving and preserving land to moving to creating more recreational land on these properties
    • Winter and Summer economics that revolve around outdoor recreation
      • Bethel, MA – Sunday River / Bethel Community Forest
    • Carrabassett Valley, MA and Crocker Mountain Unit
    • Catamount Outdoor Family Center
    • Examples of avenues for funding opportunities
    • Potential Partnership between forest product companies and Trail Organizations
    • Life Wisdom by J.T. Horn
    • Land Acquisition Strategy using good parcel data
    • What J.T. looks for in a Trail Community
    • Closing Comments

Trail EAffect Show Links:

The Trust for Public Land: https://www.tpl.org/

The Tualatin Mountain Forest: https://www.tpl.org/our-work/tualatin-mountain-forest

Mono Pond State Park: https://www.tpl.org/our-work/bigger-better-mono-pond-state-park

Catamount Outdoor Family Center: https://catamountoutdoor.org/

 

Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/

Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com

KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh

Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/josh

Smith’s Bike Shop – 130 Years of Excellence: www.smithsbikes.com

 

Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com

This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services