filed under: wildlife and environment
The Primer provides discussion of broad wildlife topics, plus key concepts and rules of thumb to help with trail planning and management.
This section of the handbook gives an overview of the major wildlife issues relevant to trail planners and provides examples and references for more in-depth study. If you have general questions about the interactions of wildlife and trails, the primer— which is organized around broad wildlife topics— is a good place to start.
Key concepts are presented as an introduction to each Primer topic. To make the concepts practical, Rules of Thumb are also given with each topic. The rules of thumb are intended as helpful advice for wildlife situations that are generally too complex for ironclad, universal principles.
A RULE OF THUMB IS:
1 : a method of procedure based on experience and common sense.
2 : a general principle regarded as roughly correct but not intended to be scientifically exact.
What opportunities or constraints are there for both trails and wildlife in the broader landscape?
Understanding the varieties of species and the habitats they need is essential to planning appropriate trails.
Trails affect wildlife in a range of ways. Evaluate the tradeoffs between wildlife and trails by understanding impacts as well as benefits.
Trails can be effective ways to manage visitors. An understanding of how a trail will be managed must be part of the planning process.
Published August 2019
Fort River Birding and Nature Trail
The Fort River Birding and Nature Trail is a universally accessible trail. It was presented with the 2014 Paul Winske Access Award by the Stavros Center for Independent Living.
Designing Sustainable Off-Highway Vehicle Trails
Proper management of off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails is one of the most important tasks for trail managers today.
Hiking, mountain biking and equestrian use in natural areas
A recreation ecology literature review
Sustaining Wildlife With Recreation on Public Lands
A Synthesis of Research Findings, Management Practices, and Research Needs
