Document Type

Project

Publication Date

Spring 2016

Keywords

trail networks, social trails, trail decommissioning

Abstract

Maintaining accessible trail networks for recreation and travel is an important part of management in the Sehome Hill Arboretum in Bellingham Washington. Trails aid in bringing people into the arboretum so they can appreciate and enjoy what it has to offer. Additionally trails serve the purpose of limiting human impact to known and maintained areas. Unofficial “social” trails can be detrimental to both the accessibility and ecological function of the Arboretum. By adding to the existing trail network, these social trails can confuse park visitors as well as decrease the aesthetic value of the arboretum. Additionally, repeated traffic by hikers can compact soil, trample plants, and disturb wildlife (Sun and Liddle, 1993, Wilson and Seney, 1994). Due to these impacts, the Sehome Hill Arboretum Board, which manages the park, has attempted to limit the existence and impacts of social trails.

Department

Environmental Sciences

Subjects - Topical (LCSH)

Trails--Washington (State)--Bellingham--Planning; Arboretums--Washington (State)--Bellingham--Planning

Subjects - Names (LCNAF)

Sehome Hill Arboretum (Bellingham, Wash.)

Geographic Coverage

Bellingham (Wash.)

Genre/Form

student projects; term papers

Type

Text

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.

Rights Statement

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

Download

Share

COinS