The Trail Research Hub

The concept of the Trail Research Hub was first conceived by Kelsey Johansen, Kirsten Spence, and Jane McCulloch as a way to generate a more collaborative approach to trails and trail-based research. As avid trail users, planners, and advocates, the team brings decades of experience to the Hub. Kelsey’s background in community-based outdoor recreation and tourism development paired with her research and teaching allows the Hub to explore new partnerships and initiatives. Both Jane and Kirsten have been involved with trail development and trail tourism across Canada for over 20 years. By bringing together leaders in trail development and partnering with educational institutions, such as the University of Waterloo, the Trail Research Hub aims to grow trail-based research and evidence-based practice to support the professionalization of the Canadian trails sector.

The Trail Research Hub and the Canadian Trails Federation entered into an MOU in 2022 and will be launching a new educational initiative in September 2023. This webinar will focus on the new initiative, ongoing Trail Research Hub projects, and the value and importance of trail research founded in strong research methods.

Learning Objectives:

• How can the principles of social enterprise be applied to establishing sustainable trail organizations?
• What is collective impact (as it relates to trails) and how could this be applied to a trail initiative that you are familiar with?
• Provide examples of research methods that trail organizations can use to collect baseline information and give a scenario of how this could be used with a small volunteer organization.

Trail Core Competencies

• Program Administration and Leadership
• • Partnership and Collaboration
• • Policy/Directives/Law
• • Visitor Use Management and Monitoring

Relevant Trail Types

General. All trail types are relevant.