IMBA Opens Its Playbook After Decades of Helping Create Trail Communities
(BOULDER, Colo., August 10, 2026) — After nearly forty years of helping communities create thousands of miles of world-class trails, the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) opens its proven playbook to the public.
Demand for community trails has never been higher, so today IMBA announces its Trail Champion Certificate Program, the comprehensive training built around the organization's Trail Development Process. Beginning in August, 2026, trail champions can access this new training at IMBA.com.
Communities want trails, but many aren't sure how to get from idea to ribbon cutting. The Trail Champion Certificate Program creates a practical step-by-step process for community leaders.
At its core is IMBA's eight-step Trail Development Process, a framework developed while helping communities plan, fund, build, maintain, and grow sustainable trail systems.
"We've helped countless communities answer the question: 'How do we actually get trails built?'" said Mary Monroe Brown, Executive Vice President of IMBA.
"The Trail Champion Certificate Program shares the lessons we've learned along the way. It's the roadmap we wish every community had from day one, and now anyone can access it."
Trail Champions – dedicated individuals who actively drive the creation, enhancement, and maintenance of natural-surface trails – can apply the knowledge gained through the certificate training to create trails and grow a supportive trails community.
Participants will learn the principles behind successful trail development and receive an interactive workbook designed to help them apply the process directly to their own projects and communities.
Participants will leave the program able to:
- Build local support for new trails.
- Unite stakeholders around a common vision.
- Develop an actionable roadmap for their project.
- Identify funding partners and community champions.
- Navigate the challenges that often stall trail projects.
- Join a growing national network of Trail Champions.
IMBA believes every community deserves access to great trails. By putting proven knowledge into the hands of local leaders, the Trail Champion Certificate Program has the potential to accelerate trail development in communities of every size while building a new generation of advocates who know how to turn ideas into lasting outdoor assets.
Registration and Availability
Trail Champion Training will be available for enrollment beginning in August 2026. Visit IMBA.com to register and start your journey. The introductory rate for this training is $100. IMBA Local organizations will receive free access to Trail Champion Training for their team.
ABOUT IMBA
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) is a 501c3 nonprofit that creates, enhances, and protects great places to ride mountain bikes. IMBA is focused on Leading With Trails, growing the quantity and quality of mountain bike trail communities, so everyone has access to close-to-home riding and recreation as well as iconic backcountry experiences. Since 1988, IMBA has been partnering with communities and land managers worldwide to encourage low-impact riding, grassroots advocacy and education, sustainable trail solutions and stewardship, innovative land management practices, and cooperation among trail user groups.
IMBA's international network of hundreds of thousands of supporters includes hundreds of Local Member organizations across the U.S., led by community trail champions, passionate riders and dedicated volunteers working together for the benefit of the entire community.
