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One would be hard pressed to improve upon the words from the very insightful American Trails report. This quote certainly deals very effectively with why we at Trail Dynamics feel that trails are so important in today's society. We like to think of trails as a great conservation tool, which can provide recreational opportunities but also help protect the land in its natural state. Urban sprawl and de-forestation are two huge problems in the southern Appalachians and to some degree we feel that trail development can help to reduce this effect. Specifically, if we can encourage humans to get out on trails (especially our youth), we can begin the education process of understanding the importance of our "natural world".
In review, a sustainable trail system will allow for carrying more visitors into a natural area with little impact on the surrounding ecosystem. By creating a constituency for the outdoors we will help to provide support and funding for more open space protection in the years to come. |
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"Trails have multiple values and their benefits reach far beyond
recreation. Trails can enrich the quality of life for individuals, make
communities more livable, and protect, nurture and showcase America's grandeur
by traversing areas of natural beauty, distinctive geography, historic
significance, and ecological diversity. Trails are important for the nation's
health, economy, resource protection and education." American Trails,
Trails for All Americans report, 1990
Trails can certainly provide for outdoor exercise opportunities, which can
lead to healthier lifestyles and people. Additionally, trails can help provide
for healthier forest by involving the public directly in monitoring forest
health and helping to make management decisions involved in public lands. The
economic benefits of trails and green-space is also well documented including
the