Resource Library:

Wildlife And Habitat

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published Dec 2020

Sustaining Wildlife With Recreation on Public Lands

by USDA Forest Service

Humans and wildlife interact in multifaceted ways on public lands with both positive and negative outcomes for each group. When managed well, wildlife-based tourism and other forms of recreation can benefit conservation goals.


published May 2021

Environmental Impacts of Winter Recreation

by Winter Wildlands Alliance

Regardless of our intentions, many species perceive humans as a threat and respond accordingly. In general, animals respond to threats by first increasing vigilance (time spent looking around versus foraging), and running away if the threat is perceived to be imminent.


published Jun 2017

Modeling Large-Scale Winter Recreation Terrain Selection with Implications for Recreation Management and Wildlife

Winter recreation is a rapidly growing activity, and advances in technology make it possible for increasing numbers of people to access remote backcountry terrain. Increased winter recreation may lead to more frequent conflict between recreationists, as well as greater potential disturbance to wildlife.


published Jan 2004

Guidelines for Managing and Restoring Natural Plant Communities along Trails and Waterways

by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

These guidelines are designed to assist resource managers in conducting management activities that enhance the quality of natural plant communities, wildlife habitat, regional landscape integrity and visual quality, particularly as related to planning, development, and maintenance of trails, water trails, and water access sites.


published Jun 2008

Are horses responsible for introducing non-native plants along forest trails in the eastern United States?

Horses have been suggested to be an important source for the introduction of non-native plant species along trails, but the conclusions were based on anecdotal evidence.


published Aug 2009

Wildlife Crossings

by Oregon Metro Regional Government

Providing safe passage for urban wildlife


published Jun 2013

A Landscape-Scale Approach to Refuge System Planning

by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Team (PIT) was chartered to address this recommendation from Conserving the Future: Wildlife Refuges and the Next Generation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 21st century strategic vision for the National Wildlife Refuge System. Our charge was to investigate how Refuge System planning will address large-scale conservation challenges such as climate change, while maintaining the integrity of management and conservation delivery within our boundaries.


published Jul 2019

Funding Needs For Wildlife, Working Lands, and Recreation In Montana

A study shows that from 2014 to 2018, there was a $6.8 million gap between trail projects proposed to RTP and funding awarded.


published Aug 2019

Wildlife and Trails Checklist — Introduction

by American Trails Staff

The Wildlife and Trail Planning Checklist is a sequence of wildlife-related questions and possible steps to consider in planning a trail.


published Aug 2019

Planning Trails With Wildlife in Mind - Wildlife and Trails Primer

by American Trails Staff

The Primer provides discussion of broad wildlife topics, plus key concepts and rules of thumb to help with trail planning and management.