filed under: conservation


Resource Protection and Monitoring Skills and Competencies

Specific skills used in management of natural resources that host trails and greenways: monitoring impacts of visitors and natural processes; acquisition and protection of trail corridors; conservation and restoration of habitat and natural areas.

by American Trails Staff

Skills for Resource Management

  • Identifying impacts of trails and related facilities natural resources and habitat
  • Identifying, monitoring, and controlling invasive species by appropriate methods
  • Document and preserve historic trails' cultural properties, artifacts, and traditions
  • integrating outdoor recreation planning with natural resource conservation at federal, state and local levels

Skills for Corridor Monitoring

  • Reviewing proposed development for compatibility and potential impact
  • Monitoring the condition of cultural, historical, and archaeological resources
  • Using tools such as GIS and GPS to accomplish effective resource monitoring

Skills for Acquisition and Protection of Trail Corridors

  • Identifying opportunities for corridor acquisition or trail protection
  • Collaborating with landowners, agencies, and organizations to acquire land, easements, or other protection for trails
  • Working with land trusts and conservation organizations
  • Using basic mechanisms for controlling and managing land ownership and land uses
  • Monitoring rights of way and conservation easements for compliance
  • Monitoring other land use adjacent to corridor to evaluate it effects on trail use and purpose

Skills for Habitat Conservation

  • Identifying critical habitat areas and species of concern
  • Measuring levels of visitor use, impacts on resources, and carrying capacity
  • Conducting vegetative treatments, including fire management, to enhance natural ecosystems

Published December 2019

More Articles in this Category

The influence of use-related, environmental, and managerial factors on soil loss from recreational trails

This research investigated the influence of several use-related, environmental, and managerial factors on soil loss on recreational trails and roads at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, a unit of the U.S. National Park Service.

All-Terrain Vehicle Sustainability Assessments

The sustainable management of ATV use is an expensive proposition requiring careful design, construction, and maintenance of ATV trails.

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

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.

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

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