Wilderness Skills Institute

© 2026 · All Rights Reserved.

Southern Appalachian Wilderness Skills Institute

Founded in 2011, the Wilderness Skills Institute (WSI) brings together wilderness stewards from federal agencies, partners, and volunteers across the southeast to learn shoulder-to-shoulder the skills and knowledge necessary to care for America’s enduring resource, wilderness. The Southern Appalachian Wilderness Skills Institute is a partnership between the U.S. Forest Service, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), and Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards (SAWS). WSI currently features one week of training hosted the first week May in Transylvania County, NC on the Pisgah National Forest and at the Cradle of Forestry.

 

Southern Appalachian Wilderness Skills Institute WSI 2026

The 2026 Southern Appalachian Wilderness Skills Institute will be May 4-8, 2026. It will start at 1pm ET on Monday and conclude at 12PM ET on Friday.

It is free for participants to attend.

All participants are expected to sign up for an entire week.

Courses:

May 4-8, 2026

  • Crosscut Sharpening
  • Trail Structures
  • Trail Maintenance-Tread and Drainage
  • Stone Work
  • Southern Appalachian Ecosystems
  • Tool Rehandling
  • Leave No Trace

Crosscut Saw Sharpening and Maintenance
This class is an intensive, hands-on course emphasizing the art and science of fitting up and properly caring for crosscut saws. Topics include styles of saws, qualities to look for when buying a saw, tools required to fit up a saw, etc. Most of the class time will be spent learning to properly sharpen your saw. At the end of the week, you’ll have an opportunity to spend an afternoon in the field practicing felling and bucking techniques and testing your newly sharpened saw.
Bring two or three saws if you have them, and all the filing tools you can lay your hands on. We’ll discuss the different tools and make sure they’re properly adjusted. There will be plenty of tools and saws available if you are unable to bring your own.

Trail Structures
This course introduces the design, construction, and maintenance of common trail structures found in backcountry settings. Participants will learn about structures such as turnpikes, crib walls, and check steps. Instruction covers site assessment, material selection, foundational principles, sustainable construction methods that enhance trail longevity and user safety, and tool selection and use.

Trail Maintenance – Tread and Drainage
Water and gravity constantly threaten our trails, and thus we must learn how best to deflect them. This course begins with the basics of hillside hydrology and how trails function when they shed water properly. It includes an introduction to “trail eyes” and basic trail design concepts, as well as how to recognize tread erosion patterns. Hands-on practice includes removing slough and berm and the effective cleaning and maintenance of existing water bars and grade dips. Tread and drainage work doesn’t require big muscles, though it is fairly strenuous.  Student skill outcomes include gaining a basic understanding of hillside hydrology and how trails are designed to function; learning to identify cupped tread and restore proper outslope by removing slough and berm; developing the ability to locate, clean, and effectively maintain drain dips and water bars, including upgrading old-school water bars; and cultivating “trail eyes” along with an eagerness to hike in the rain to better observe drainage patterns and learn to “think like water.”

Stone Work
This hands-on course teaches the fundamentals of dry-stone construction for sustainable trail building. Participants gain practical experience selecting, shaping, and setting stone to build durable trail features such as steps, retaining walls, and armoring. Instruction emphasizes proper site assessment, drainage, load transfer, structural stability, and blending stonework naturally into the surrounding landscape. In addition, the course introduces safe and effective rigging techniques for moving and placing heavy stone in backcountry environments. Participants will learn how to set up and use draglines and directional pulls, build simple mechanical advantage systems such as 2:1 configurations, and properly set up and operate a Portawrap for controlled lowering and positioning.
By the end of the course, students leave with the knowledge and field-based skills needed to construct stone features and apply basic rigging systems safely and efficiently on trail projects.

Southern Appalachian Ecosystems
Back by popular demand for its third year, the Southern Appalachian Ecosystems course offers participants an in-depth exploration of the plants and animals of Southern Appalachian ecosystems. Participants will gain knowledge about native and invasive species specific to the region. Engaging topics will highlight unique and fascinating aspects of the Southern Appalachians.

Tool Rehandling
This course covers the proper removal and replacement of tool handles for axes, Pulaskis, and other trail tools. Participants will learn handle fitting, wedging techniques, grain orientation considerations, and finishing methods to ensure safety and durability. The training reinforces preventive maintenance practices that extend tool life and improve field performance.

Leave No Trace
This course introduces the principles of Leave No Trace and their application in frontcountry and backcountry settings. Participants will explore the seven core principles, including traveling and camping on durable surfaces, waste disposal, minimizing campfire impacts, and respecting wildlife. The course emphasizes education strategies and practical decision-making skills to reduce visitor impact and promote responsible outdoor recreation.

Cost: There is no cost to attend WSI.

Food: On your own. Participants will handle all their own meals. Prepare to bring meals to the field.

Lodging: WSI offers free on-site camping for all participants and instructors. There are hotels in nearby towns for both courses. Emails will be sent after acceptance to the course with more information.

Contact: Email volunteer@wildernessstewards.org for specific questions or concerns.

Applications Closed – Waitlist only

SAWSI Application 2026

Name(Required)
Your Contact Number
Attending Southern Appalachian Wilderness Skills Institute (SAWSI) as(Required)
Select one.
City/State/Country(Required)
E.g., Forest Service (include unit), ATC, SAWS, "your" A.T. club, etc. (if none, input "None")
e.g., Wilderness and Trails Technician, Volunteer, Stewardship Director, Crew Member.
Name- Relationship- Phone Number
What years have you previously attended the Wilderness Skills Institute?(Required)
Your response will not affect your application
WSI- Virtual WSI- NWSI: 2011-2025

Courses

Please review the course descriptions before submitting an application. Courses run concurrently, so only one course may be selected. Participants are expected to attend the full duration of each course with little to no interruptions (i.e. taking a meeting/phone call for unrelated meeting matters, working on other work, skipping an entire day, etc.). We, of course, understand that emergencies arise but in general, the WSI planning team expects both instructors and participants to strive to fully engage for the duration of their course.
May 4-8, 2026(Required)
Select one option
May 4-8, 2026: Back-up course choice
Select one option if the course you chose is full and you still wish to attend.

Short Answer Questions

WSI T-Shirt Size(Required)
These are a cotton blend and are Unisex sizes.
Under 18?(Required)
If yes, we will need a signed Parental Consent Form and Parent or Guardian present during the course.

 

Champions of Wilderness: Our Esteemed Sponsors

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our generous sponsors whose support has fueled the success of the Southern Appalachian’s Wilderness Skills Institute. Your commitment to empowering outdoor enthusiasts and fostering a deeper connection to wilderness and wild public lands is truly commendable. Thank you for being instrumental in making this transformative experience possible for all attendees.