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Focus Term: Ecology and Environment


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Developing Trail in Lincoln Celebrates Nebraska’s Tallgrass Prairie Legacy
February 12, 2019

Welcome to Nebraska’s tallgrass prairie, a rapidly disappearing ecosystem that Nebraskans are racing to preserve—and they hope to do just that with a new corridor and trail: the Prairie Corridor on Haines Branch.

Photo courtesy Prairie Corridor Foundation
Blog
Bright Horizons: Florida’s Miami LOOP
January 11, 2018

Approximately 54 percent complete to date, the Miami LOOP is a 225-mile trail vision to expand transportation options, make biking and walking safer and more equitable.

The Atlantic Greenway in South Beach is part of Florida’s 225-mile developing Miami LOOP. | Photo by Lee Smith
Blog
A View From … The National Trails System
January 02, 2018

In 2018, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System Act, which provided an incredible legacy for all Americans. Five of these iconic American experiences are listed below along with rail-trails that weave in and around them.

Great Shasta Rail Trail | Photo by Christina Schmidlin with Hellikon, courtesy Great Shasta Rail Trail Association
Blog
Landmark and Legacy: Nebraska’s Chief Standing Bear Trail
October 31, 2017

The 22.9-mile Chief Standing Bear Trail helps memorialize the 1877 walk of the Ponca Tribe back to their homeland, led by Chief Standing Bear and known as the Ponca Trail of Tears.

Blue Springs trailhead, Chief Standing Bear Trail, Nebraska | Photo by Don Rice
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Green Infrastructure Guide to Collaboration, Funding, and Community Engagement
May 31, 2017
This guide is intended to encourage partnerships between park agencies and stormwater agencies aimed at promoting the use of green infrastructure on park lands. Green infrastructure can help to maximize the environmental, economic, and social benefits of parks. By building strong partnerships, agencies can improve park lands and access to parks, better manage stormwater, increase […]
Blog
Five Rail-Trails in America’s National Parks
August 10, 2016

With more than 400 in the National Park System, we wanted to share this great list of five rail-trails in America’s National Parks.

Grand Teton Multi-use Pathway:Greater Yellowstone Trail, Wyoming | Photo by Camrin Dengel
Blog
Destination: Washington—Following the Foothills Trail
April 30, 2016

There’s a spot on the Foothills Trail in western Washington where I always slow down. It’s not a sudden steep climb or dicey patch of gravel that causes me to feather my bike brakes on the outskirts of Orting.

Carbon River trestle along the Foothills Trail in western Washington | Photo by Gene Bisbee
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Development of Trails along Waterways, Canals, and Flood Channels
June 30, 2011
This 2011 report from Rails-to-Trails Conservancy discusses preliminary considerations and strategies in the process of developing a trail along a waterway. Topics include land ownership, developing an agreement, owner use, liability, maintenance, public safety and other considerations. The report includes sample cooperative agreements between water districts and local jurisdictions for trail development.
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Constructing Wetland Boardwalks and Trails
June 25, 2006
A guide prepared for land trusts, watershed councils, federal, state and local land management agencies, landowners interested in wetland education, ecotourism, or related subjects. The summary is based upon a series of studies and workshops conducted by the Association of State Wetland Managers (ASWM) including a survey of approximately 100 wetland interpretive sites, most of […]
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Considering Contamination in a Rail-Trail Conversion
December 08, 2004
Development of Transportation Enhancement (TE) projects always entails a basic level of environmental review. In some cases, the environmental review and remediation process can be complicated by the presence of toxic substances. The rehabilitation of a historic building could require removal of lead paint or asbestos; creation of a new park on a former industrial […]