Hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, horseback riding, snowmobiling -- these are just some of the ways we get outside to enjoy nature and unwind from our day-to-day activities. However, even these seeming harmless activities can have impacts on wildlife including reduced abundance, reproduction, and survival. Thoughtful trail location allows us to get outside to enjoy nature and also minimize disturbance to wildlife.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department developed a statewide tool - Trails for People and Wildlife - that can be used to assess existing trails and site new trails in the most wildlife-friendly way. The mapping tool highlights areas particularly important for wildlife and areas that would be more suitable for trail development. Accompanying documents explain how to use the tool, and provide some real-world examples of how conservation organizations have used it to make their trail planning efforts most effective.
More Information
Visit the Trails for People and Wildlife project website for more information on the tool and how to use it
