Southwest Trail Solutions
Owner: Mark Flint
Services: Sustainable trail design
Location: Tucson
Mark Flint has had many lives. He started in journalism and communications while volunteering as a trail advocate in the early 1990’s. Before that, he was raised on a cattle ranch. Since 2008, he has worked on sustainable trail design with his company, Southwest Trail Solutions. No matter what phase of life he’s been in, he is most at home outdoors in nature.
“I’m a mountain biker, I’m a horseback rider, I’m a backpacker, I’m a volunteer with the AZ Trail Veteran program – I see our trails, and the value they provide, from all different perspectives.”
Southwest Trail Solutions focuses on sustainable trail design, training, and construction coordination. He even developed specific standards for trail design and construction within unique desert environments. They are all about community too, “we stay small on purpose, but we have a large network when bigger projects come our way.”
Things like the Land and Water Conservation Fund or, even more directly, the state level Heritage Fund matter on a personal and professional level to Flint. When communities are investing in their trails, infrastructure, and natural public spaces, he has seen how that makes them stronger and more resilient. Those investments are also going directly into small, local businesses like his, which helps keep the funds local.
“Trails are great management tools if used properly. Either way, folks are going outdoors, and communities may as well choose to manage that traffic in ways that protect our resources, wildlife, and neighbors.”
Flint is excited to get GO AZ because he believes good trails increase diversity and bring people together, creating a stronger community.
