filed under: economics of trails
A Trail Town is a vibrant destination where people come together.
by Doug Alderson, paddling trails coordinator, Florida Office of Greenways and Trails
Doug Alderson works as the assistant bureau chief for the Florida Office of Greenways and Trails, part of DEP’s Division of Recreation and Parks, helping to coordinate the planning and promotion of non-motorized trails throughout the state. Prior to his current role, he mapped the 1,515-mile Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail and he continues to coordinate the state’s designated paddling trails. In his free time, he is an avid cyclist, hiker and paddler. He has hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, coordinated a group walk across the United States, and backpacked through Europe. He is also an award-winning author of several published books, including A New Guide to Old Florida Attractions, Wild Florida Adventures, andThe Great Florida Seminole Trail. In 2015, he was awarded the first ever Environmental Leadership Award by Paddle Florida.
Contact: [email protected]
Public Lands and the Continental Divide Trail Study
The primary goal of this study was to understand who uses the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), how they use it, their preferences, and the economic impact of the CDT in the region. Additional data were also collected regarding protecting public lands and using the Continental Divide Trail in Colorado.
2022 CDT Small Business Survey
From August to December 2021, the Continental Divide Trail Coalition surveyed 136 small business owners in 38 communities located along the Continental Divide Trail to learn more about how the Continental Divide Trail impacts their businesses, the local economy, and their support for public lands.
Everything you need to know about the positive impact of trails on health, environment, economics, and more.
2022 CDT Small Business Survey
As a connector of landscapes, communities, and cultures, the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) provides a setting for community members, decision makers, conservationists, outdoor enthusiasts, and everyone connected to the lands and waters of the Divide, to come together to discuss how to steward the vital natural, cultural, and historic resources found across its entirety. With this report, the Continental Divide Trail Coalition hopes to highlight the role of the cooperative stewardship model in the management of the CDT, what we accomplished in 2021, and what we are looking forward to in 2022.
