-Most hikers think of their hobby as low-impact, a
way to enjoy nature without harming it, but a new publication from
Colorado State Parks suggests they’re only partly right. Planning
Trails with Wildlife in Mind: A Handbook for Trail Planners shows
how trails can interfere with wild areas. The guide suggests
routing trails along ecological edges, such as the boundary between
a well-used meadow and a more remote forest. An edge trail retains
the forest as a sanctuary for wildlife, but it might just
disappoint people looking for a walk in the woods. The same holds
true for streamside paths: The guide suggests leaving space for
wildlife between a trail and water, though hikers and fisherman
would probably prefer to walk along the bank. The handbook provides
a brief primer on reducing the impacts of trails on a wild area,
and includes checklists and case studies to guide
planners.
The illustrated, 51-page book is
available from www.dnr.state.co.us/parks/ or by sending a large,
self-addressed envelope with $1.92 postage on it to Stuart
Macdonald, Colorado State Parks-Trails Program, 1313 Sherman St.,
Rm. 618, Denver, CO 80203.
*Gabriel
Ross
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Keeping hikers and habitat happy.
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