Data-Driven Decision Support for Sustainable Trail Planning and Management

Webinar Outline

This webinar will showcase an online application to support collaborative decision-making and data-driven evaluation of multiple dimensions of trail sustainability, developed by the Conservation Biology Institute in partnership with the US Forest Service and the Deschutes Trails Coalition. The prototype system facilitates tracking and visualizing important trail information and synthesizes diverse types of data into quantitative metrics covering physical, environmental, social, and economic dimensions of trail sustainability. Information summarized in the interface can be explored via interactive maps, augmenting critical on-the-ground knowledge of field crews and local managers. This application offers decision-makers and their partners a transparent means to evaluate the sustainability of both existing and proposed trails from a data-driven perspective and is targeted for expansion to Pacific Northwest National Forest lands. The webinar will cover the process of defining trail sustainability metrics and building out the modeling framework, review data inputs, and highlight key features of the application.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn how cutting-edge geospatial technology can bring together diverse types of spatial data to quantify proposed and existing trail sustainability.
• Learn how online tools and access to trail sustainability metrics can support better collaborative decision-making around trail planning and management activities at local and regional scales.
• Learn how different dimensions of trail sustainability (physical, environmental, social, and economic) can be quantified using innovative methods to synthesize information from a diverse group of experts and stakeholders.
• Learn how to support inclusive perspectives and incorporate equity and diversity into trail planning and management by expanding the definition of sustainability.

Location

This is a virtual training. See the event website for more details.

Trail Competencies

• Project Planning and Design
• • Trail Sustainability Principles
• • Stakeholder Engagement

• Program Administration
• • Partnership and Collaboration

Relevant Trail Types

General. All trail types are relevant.