Resource Library:

Planning And Design

Subcategories • Accessible Trail Design • Case Studies • Cost Estimating • Feasibility Studies • Livable/Active Communities • Land Acquisition and Conservation • Master Plans • Signage and Interpretation • Trailheads • Trail Networks Design • Trails as Transportation • Closing Trail System Gaps • Wildlife and Habitat

published Sep 2018

Wildlife And Trails Primer - How Wildlife Responds to Trails

by American Trails Staff

The construction of a trail is just one impact on the habitat it passes through. The activities of visitors and the response of wildlife are also components of the long-term trail impacts.

published Sep 2018

Wildlife And Trails Primer - J. Managing trails with wildlife in mind

by American Trails Staff

Offering wildlife interpretation and environmental education to trail users can play an important role in reducing impacts to wildlife. People more readily protect what they understand and appreciate.

published Sep 2018

Wildlife And Trails Primer - K. Making informed decisions

by American Trails Staff

Any trail will have at least some impact on wildlife. Therefore, deciding whether the recreational value of a trail outweighs those impacts is a community choice, or in some cases, a legal question.

published Sep 2018

Wildlife And Trails Primer - L. Land ownership

by American Trails Staff

Many longer trails cross from one jurisdiction to another. This has ramifications for how the trail is planned and specifically how wildlife issues are considered.

published Sep 2018

Wildlife And Trails Primer - Part D. Habitat quality varies

by American Trails Staff

Looking at resources from a regional or landscape-wide perspective helps identify where trails should go and which areas should be conserved for wildlife.

published Sep 2018

Wildlife And Trails Primer - Part E. The importance of streamside areas

by American Trails Staff

By understanding the relative quality of riparian areas, it may be possible to find places within the riparian zone for trails that will have less impact on wildlife.

published Sep 2018

Wildlife And Trails Primer - Part F. Species and places of special interest

by American Trails Staff

While some species (such as bald eagle and Ute ladies-tresses orchids) and habitats (such as wetlands) have legal status that must be respected in the process of trail building, others may deserve special attention because of the value placed on them by a local community.

published Sep 2018

Wildlife And Trails Primer - Part G. A site’s existing impacts

by American Trails Staff

Assessing the amount of human disturbance already along a potential trail alignment can help set more real- istic wildlife goals for a trail project. Trail alignments may pass through one or more of the general levels of modification along a gradient from urban to pristine.

published Aug 2009

Wildlife Crossings

by Oregon Metro Regional Government

Providing safe passage for urban wildlife

published Sep 2021

Winter Placemaking Guide

by 8-80 Cities

The Winter Placemaking Guide is dedicated to community leaders, policymakers and all types of community changemakers who seek to improve their surroundings during the winter season.

Diversity American Trails supports and encourages respectful, equitable access to outdoor environments that are inviting, inclusive, and beneficial to all.
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