Resilience is vitally important to every single person living in the Mid-South. Climate and weather-related shocks and stressors have major impacts on safety and quality of life for all residents, regardless of age, income, race, community, etc. Mitigating these threats and building the capacity to bounce back quickly from disasters will keep residents safe and […]

This guidebook demonstrates how trails are part of resilient transportation infrastructure, how trails can be planned and designed to be resilient and sustainable, and how trails have a role in emergency planning and response. Trails of all kinds are places for recreation, exercise, and active transportation. Trails are also a crucial tool for making communities […]

As natural disasters become more frequent and severe, trails are playing an increasingly vital role in planning, recovery, and resiliency. From serving as alternative evacuation routes to critical drivers of economic recovery, trails are emerging as essential infrastructure in times of crisis. In this session, attendees heard real-world examples of trails serving as critical infrastructure […]

Climate change and disaster recovery has had a significant impact on our environment—affecting various aspects of human life, including outdoor recreational activities. The impacts of climate change are affecting the quality and accessibility of multiuse trails and it is essential to take action to make these trails and greenways more resilient.  Climate change is a […]

This FHWA document provides resources formal technical assistance that can support disadvantaged communities, biking, multiuse paths, and active transportation. The document lists both government and non-government sources of technical assistance, including Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Author: Federal Highway Administration

Shared use paths and other trails are key pieces of transportation infrastructure that can also provide recreational opportunities and, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, improve health and wellbeing during a public health emergency. Additionally, trails can become critical infrastructure during an emergency when other transportation facilities are inaccessible, and can support activities including evacuation […]

Discover how trail managers are embracing new solutions to help mitigate the economic, environmental and infrastructural impacts of natural disasters and ensure long-term climate and community resiliency.  This article was originally published in the Winter 2020 issue of Rails to Trails magazine.