published Sep 8, 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 8, 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 8, 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 8, 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 Sep 8, 2018

Wildlife And Trails Primer - H. How wildlife respond 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 8, 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 8, 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 8, 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 8, 2018

Planning Trails With Wildlife In Mind - CASE STUDIES and PROJECTS

by American Trails Staff

See examples of trail design in habitat areas, techniques for managing visitors, trail system planning, habitat restoration, trails as part of habitat conservation, and education on the value of wildlife and habitat.

published Nov 1, 2005

Studying impacts of visitor use on the Appalachian Trail

Visitor use impacts associated with the Appalachian Trail include use of the footpath itself, overnight use areas (both designated and bootleg), and human waste management.