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published Dec 2020

Sustaining Wildlife With Recreation on Public Lands

by USDA Forest Service

A Synthesis of Research Findings, Management Practices, and Research Needs


published Sep 2020

Equestrian Etiquette - Protecting Trees and Park Structures

by Lora Goerlich with Equestrian Trails and Facilities Consultant LLC

Responsible equestrians should actively protect trees and other park structures when out on the trail. Equine expert Lora Goerlich gives her take on this topic.


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 Sep 2018

Wildlife And Trails Primer - I. What happens to plants near trails

by American Trails Staff

Encouraging visitors to stay on the trail is the most important issue, and is made easier by providing attractive, well-designed trail systems. Managers should also identify populations of plants that have been designated as threatened, endangered, or sensitive.


published Sep 2018

Wildlife and Trails Checklist — Step A: Getting the Whole Picture

by American Trails Staff

Planning Trails with Wildlife in Mind


published Sep 2018

Wildlife and Trails Checklist — Step B: Considering alternatives

by American Trails Staff

The checklist focuses specifically on wildlife issues of trail planning and is designed to mirror comprehensive planning processes.


published Sep 2018

Wildlife And Trails Primer - C. Tools for a broader view

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 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 2018

Wildlife And Trails Primer - How Wildlife Responds 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 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 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 2018

Wildlife and Trails Checklist — Step C: Building & Managing the trail

by American Trails Staff

The checklist focuses specifically on wildlife issues of trail planning and is designed to mirror comprehensive planning processes.