Wilderness Trails: Special Places, Special Considerations

This webinar will provide some basic information on trails in federally-designated Wilderness, examples of practical experiences, and resources to learn more.

Presented by:

• Pete Irvine, retired, USDA Forest Service
• Dan Abbe, Wilderness Specialist, Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center
• Ian Nelson, Regional Representative, Pacific Crest Trail Association

In total, approximately 18% of federal land administered by the four major federal land management agencies, and nearly 5% of all land in the United States, has been designated as wilderness. Trails are a primary way that visitors enjoy and experience these special places— where humans are visitors who do not remain. While the word “wilderness” may have very different meanings to each of us, federally-designated “Wilderness” has an official definition and the agencies have legal stewardship responsibilities which impact how trails are planned, constructed, managed, maintained, and used in these areas. Three presenters will provide some basic information on Wilderness, trails in Wilderness, examples of practical experiences, and resources to learn more.

Learning Objectives:

• Provide basic Wilderness information including the Wilderness Act, the designation process, the amount-extent-variety of Wilderness, and the priorities for Wilderness stewards (agencies, partners, and volunteers).
• Provide basic information and considerations for trails and trail use in Wilderness.
• Provide some recent, real-life examples of Wilderness trail maintenance, management, construction, and administration situations in Wilderness.
• Provide information on available resources for information about Wilderness and Wilderness trails.

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