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published Jun 2022

TRAILS SAFE PASSING PLAN: STOP, SPEAK, and STAND BACK

by Equine Land Conservation Resource

Horses are prey animals and naturally can be afraid of unfamiliar people and objects. Horses have natural "flight“ survival instincts and prefer to move their feet towards an exit route. Therefore, people with horses should pass at a walk while other trail users remain STOPPED until passed.


published Jun 2022

Assessing the Condition and Sustainability of the Trail System at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

by U.S. Geological Survey

This research assessed the condition and sustainability of the trail system at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, a National Park Service unit that partners with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in the management of this unit.


published Feb 2022

The Trail Access Project Removes Barriers to the Outdoors

Their goal is to facilitate the removal of barriers to recreational trail usage through providing information, increasing accessible features, and supporting park managers in making changes.


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 Jul 2020

More Than a Pet Peeve - Dogs Off Leash

by Lora Goerlich with Equestrian Trails and Facilities Consultant LLC

Contributing author and equine trail expert Lora Goerlich shares her thoughts on why leash laws need to be taken seriously.


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 Mar 2020

A Motorized Advocate Explores the Common Ground Between All Trail Users

OHV recreation provides vital funding for all trail types through a fuel tax that funds the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), yet too often there are conflicts between motorized trail users and the broader trail community. American Trails talked to Mathew Giltner of the Silver State Off-Road Alliance in Nevada about the importance of OHV trails, and how we can start bridging communication gaps.


published Feb 2020

Rail Trail Development: A Best Practices Report

This report focuses on the issues surrounding the proposed development of the Palouse to Cascades Rail-Trail.


published Dec 2019

The Influence of Layout on Appalachian Trail Soil Loss, Widening, and Muddiness

by Jeffrey Marion with U.S. Geological Survey, Jeremy Wimpey, Ph.D. with Applied Trails Research

This research investigates the influence of layout and design on the severity of trail degradation.


published Nov 2019

Safe Encounters with Horses on Shared-Use Trails

by Dianne Martin

American Trails contributor Dianne Martin shares some tips on how to safely share trails with horses.


published Aug 2019

Guidance for Managing Informal Trails

by Jeffrey Marion with U.S. Geological Survey

A great how-to for developing educational programs and plans for managing, maintaining, and improving informal trails


published Aug 2019

6 Solutions for Managing Multi-Use Trails and Conflict

by Taylor Goodrich with American Trails

Let’s face it. Motorized, equestrian, biking, and hiking users do not always get along. When conflicts inevitably arise, what do we do, and how can we avoid it in the first place?