published Feb 2006

Assessing and Understanding Trail Degradation

by National Park Service

This report describes results from a comprehensive assessment of resource conditions on a large (24%) sample of the trail system within Big South Fork National River and Recreational Area (BSF).

published May 2011

Informal and Formal Trail Monitoring Protocols and Baseline Conditions

by U.S. Geological Survey

This research developed and applied state-of-the-art trail condition assessment and monitoring procedures and applied them to the park’s formal and informal (visitor-created) trails.

published Jul 2022

American Trails Webinar - The Science of Sustainable Trail Design and Management

by American Trails Staff

This webinar describes the three most common forms of trail impact, identifies the most influential factors to develop and maintain sustainable trail networks, and discusses methods for rating trail sustainability.

published May 2020

Improving the Sustainability of the Appalachian Trail

by U.S. Geological Survey

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.) is a unique internationally recognized protected natural area encompassing more than 250,000 acres and a 2,190-mile footpath from Maine to Georgia.

published May 2009

Backcountry Recreation Site and Trail Conditions

by U.S. Geological Survey

Changing visitor use levels and patterns have contributed to increasing visitor use impacts to natural and cultural resources in specific areas at Haleakalā National Park.

published Mar 2005

Research for the Development of Best Management Practices to Minimize Horse Trail Impacts on the Hoosier National Forest

by USDA Forest Service

This research investigates horse trail impacts to gain an improved understanding of the relationship between various levels of horse use, horse trail management alternatives, and subsequent horse trail degradation.

published May 2013

Trail Building in the Ozarks

by Ozark Trail Association

This manual was created to accompany the Crew Leader training program developed by the Ozark Trail Association (OTA). It serves as an aid to volunteer Crew Leaders working with other volunteers to build and maintain single-track natural surface trails in the Ozarks region of Missouri. This manual is designed to serve as a baseline for trail construction and maintenance and as an introduction to leading small groups of volunteers on natural surface trail construction and maintenance events.

published Nov 2018

Outdoor-Industry Jobs

This study was intended to assess current—and projected—employment levels across these sectors with a particular focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) oriented occupations that require “mid-level” education and skills. This education includes post-high school training but stops short of a bachelor’s degree,3 opening the door to a greater number of students who are not focused exclusively on four-year degrees. The study was also designed to identify employer demand for occupations within these four sectors.

published Oct 2017

Outdoor Recreation and Conservation Careers Toolkit

by Transforming Youth Outdoors (TYO), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Choose your outdoor career path! Get started by asking yourself some very basic questions. Even though you might not be able to answer all of them, it is a good first step to narrow down what you really want to do. Ready? Let’s go!

published Jan 2019

North Country Trail Crew Leader Handbook

by North Country Trail Association

The Crew Leader Handbook is designed to provide information for Crew Leaders organizing and overseeing projects on the North Country National Scenic Trail. This Handbook is intended as a compliment to the in-person North Country Trail Association Crew Leader training program, which is available to all volunteers looking to expand their skills sets and gain new leadership skills.