USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Region

Trails Strategy Questionnaire

We are developing a region-wide Trails Strategy that builds upon and advances the interests and concerns we have heard from partners and stakeholders. Your response will inform the Trails Strategy and its priorities.

Please take 15 minutes to complete and submit this questionnaire by September 19, 2019.

Question Title

* 1. We want to ensure we include diverse perspectives in this questionnaire, so please tell us whom you are representing in your responses?

Industry or Business

Federal Government

State Government

County or City Government

Non-profit or Club

Academic Institution

Outfitter or Guiding Service (Permittee)

Self

If you are representing anyone other than yourself, please share the name of the organization:

Question Title

* 2. The Rocky Mountain Region of the USDA Forest Service includes national forests and grasslands in five states. In which state do you engage in recreation activities the most?

Colorado

Kansas

Nebraska

South Dakota

Wyoming

Other

Question Title

* 3. As we work together to create a trails strategy using a shared stewardship approach, what is most important to you?

We all work together to sustain and improve trails

Partners provide support and receive shared benefits from trails

I disagree with a shared stewardship approach to managing trails

Other important aspects you would like considered

Question Title

* 4. We are considering strategies to manage trails. How valuable would each strategy be?

	Not Valuable	Neutral	Valuable	Very Valuable
Let partners take the lead on setting and implementing priorities	Let partners take the lead on setting and implementing priorities Not Valuable	Let partners take the lead on setting and implementing priorities Neutral	Let partners take the lead on setting and implementing priorities Valuable	Let partners take the lead on setting and implementing priorities Very Valuable
Reduce use conflict by putting day or time restriction in place	Reduce use conflict by putting day or time restriction in place Not Valuable	Reduce use conflict by putting day or time restriction in place Neutral	Reduce use conflict by putting day or time restriction in place Valuable	Reduce use conflict by putting day or time restriction in place Very Valuable
Promote and educate users on trail etiquette and provide educational resources	Promote and educate users on trail etiquette and provide educational resources Not Valuable	Promote and educate users on trail etiquette and provide educational resources Neutral	Promote and educate users on trail etiquette and provide educational resources Valuable	Promote and educate users on trail etiquette and provide educational resources Very Valuable
Facilitate discussion between user groups on common interests	Facilitate discussion between user groups on common interests Not Valuable	Facilitate discussion between user groups on common interests Neutral	Facilitate discussion between user groups on common interests Valuable	Facilitate discussion between user groups on common interests Very Valuable
Separate trail use activities	Separate trail use activities Not Valuable	Separate trail use activities Neutral	Separate trail use activities Valuable	Separate trail use activities Very Valuable
Give partners the lead on actively managing trails systems using a permit or a formal agreement	Give partners the lead on actively managing trails systems using a permit or a formal agreement Not Valuable	Give partners the lead on actively managing trails systems using a permit or a formal agreement Neutral	Give partners the lead on actively managing trails systems using a permit or a formal agreement Valuable	Give partners the lead on actively managing trails systems using a permit or a formal agreement Very Valuable
Increase rules and regulations to restrict new uses	Increase rules and regulations to restrict new uses Not Valuable	Increase rules and regulations to restrict new uses Neutral	Increase rules and regulations to restrict new uses Valuable	Increase rules and regulations to restrict new uses Very Valuable

Question Title

* 5. What should be the primary benefit of the trails strategy?

Build a common vision for providing great trails experiences

Leverage strengths and resources to build and maintain trails

Foster fundraising opportunities to build and maintain trails

Build a unified voice among diverse users to support trails, recreation and public land

Balance different trail uses

Manage for trail use and conservation of natural resources

Increase pace and scale of trail stewardship work

Managing trails across land ownership boundaries

Prioritize trail stewardship investments

Other ideas?

Question Title

* 6. How important are the following for a successful and effective trails strategy?

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 7. What are the most effective ways partners can work with the USDA Forest Service to create and manage a sustainable trail network? Rank the importance from one to eight, with the number one being the highest ranking.

Question Title

* 8. What is the most important step the USDA Forest Service could take to enhance the effectiveness of trails management?

Establish formal agreements and clear expectations with partners

Complete environmental planning (e.g., National Environmental Policy Act analysis and planning) for trail construction

Provide technical skill development and training

Facilitate volunteer networking and establish a trails stewardship Community of Practice

Reduce agency "red tape"

Increase agency staffing capacity

Provide training for specialized skills

Assist to attract and retain volunteers

Provide training and support for partner organizational capacity

Clarify agency priorities

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 9. What would be the three most useful components of a trails strategy for you or your organization?

A pledge of shared stewardship commitment with the USDA Forest Service

Clearly stated goals and prioritized objectives for improving trails

Common communication messages

Networking opportunities and establishing a shared stewardship Community of Practice

Common funding strategies

Unifying diverse user groups around a shared vision

Sharing best practices and expertise for trail management and construction

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 10. What are the three highest priorities for improving trailhead facilities? Please choose only three.

Managed parking

Expanded parking

Toilets

Law enforcement

Potable water

Garbage collection

Regulatory information and rules

Trailhead signage and maps

Wildlife activity warnings

Cellular phone service

Information on volunteer opportunities

Picnic facilities

Donation options

Fee collection options

Information on trail use ethics

Habitat protection

Public transportation routes near trailheads

Parking for trailers

Corrals and water for horses and pack animals

Ramps for loading trucks

Question Title

* 11. What are the three most important ways to measure the success of a trails strategy? Please choose only three.

Number of partner organizations engaged in shared stewardship

Number of volunteers, volunteer hours, or return volunteers

Money (or equivalent) invested by partner organizations toward shared stewardship of the trail system

Miles of trail adopted by partners

Miles of new trail constructed

Miles of trail cleared from downed trees or other obstacles

Miles of unauthorized, user-created trails decommissioned

Number of trail re-routes to avoid sensitive areas

Number of trail connections established across jurisdictions

Number of volunteers or staff trained in advanced trail maintenance skills

Number of long term (five years or more) partner organizations working toward trail shared stewardship goals

Number of first-time trail users

Reduced trail maintenance back-log

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 12. What should we prioritize when discussing the benefits of a trails strategy?

Supporting rural economies and industry

Supporting tourism

Sustaining wildlife

Collaborating with grazing and agriculture interests

Public health and wellness

Preserving open space

Supporting environmental education

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 13. The USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region is considering the application of the SHIFT Outdoor Principles (Shaping How we Invest For Tomorrow) in the development of a trails strategy. How important are these principles to the success of managing our trails?

	Not Important	Neutral	Important	Very Important
Outdoor recreation and conservation require that a diversity of lands and waters be publicly owned, available for public access and cared for properly.	Outdoor recreation and conservation require that a diversity of lands and waters be publicly owned, available for public access and cared for properly. Not Important	Outdoor recreation and conservation require that a diversity of lands and waters be publicly owned, available for public access and cared for properly. Neutral	Outdoor recreation and conservation require that a diversity of lands and waters be publicly owned, available for public access and cared for properly. Important	Outdoor recreation and conservation require that a diversity of lands and waters be publicly owned, available for public access and cared for properly. Very Important
Within the Region's diversity of land and waters, private land plays a critical role in preserving the ecological integrity of a functional landscape that is necessary for robust and meaningful outdoor recreational experiences.	Within the Region's diversity of land and waters, private land plays a critical role in preserving the ecological integrity of a functional landscape that is necessary for robust and meaningful outdoor recreational experiences. Not Important	Within the Region's diversity of land and waters, private land plays a critical role in preserving the ecological integrity of a functional landscape that is necessary for robust and meaningful outdoor recreational experiences. Neutral	Within the Region's diversity of land and waters, private land plays a critical role in preserving the ecological integrity of a functional landscape that is necessary for robust and meaningful outdoor recreational experiences. Important	Within the Region's diversity of land and waters, private land plays a critical role in preserving the ecological integrity of a functional landscape that is necessary for robust and meaningful outdoor recreational experiences. Very Important
Both conservation and recreation are needed to sustain quality of life. Both are beneficial to local economic well-being, for personal health and for sustaining natural resources.	Both conservation and recreation are needed to sustain quality of life. Both are beneficial to local economic well-being, for personal health and for sustaining natural resources. Not Important	Both conservation and recreation are needed to sustain quality of life. Both are beneficial to local economic well-being, for personal health and for sustaining natural resources. Neutral	Both conservation and recreation are needed to sustain quality of life. Both are beneficial to local economic well-being, for personal health and for sustaining natural resources. Important	Both conservation and recreation are needed to sustain quality of life. Both are beneficial to local economic well-being, for personal health and for sustaining natural resources. Very Important
All recreation has impact. Visitors have an obligation to minimize these impacts across the places they recreate and the larger landscape through ethical outdoor behavior.	All recreation has impact. Visitors have an obligation to minimize these impacts across the places they recreate and the larger landscape through ethical outdoor behavior. Not Important	All recreation has impact. Visitors have an obligation to minimize these impacts across the places they recreate and the larger landscape through ethical outdoor behavior. Neutral	All recreation has impact. Visitors have an obligation to minimize these impacts across the places they recreate and the larger landscape through ethical outdoor behavior. Important	All recreation has impact. Visitors have an obligation to minimize these impacts across the places they recreate and the larger landscape through ethical outdoor behavior. Very Important
Proactive management solutions, combined with public education, are necessary to care for land, water, and wildlife and to provide the protections needed to maintain quality recreation opportunities.	Proactive management solutions, combined with public education, are necessary to care for land, water, and wildlife and to provide the protections needed to maintain quality recreation opportunities. Not Important	Proactive management solutions, combined with public education, are necessary to care for land, water, and wildlife and to provide the protections needed to maintain quality recreation opportunities. Neutral	Proactive management solutions, combined with public education, are necessary to care for land, water, and wildlife and to provide the protections needed to maintain quality recreation opportunities. Important	Proactive management solutions, combined with public education, are necessary to care for land, water, and wildlife and to provide the protections needed to maintain quality recreation opportunities. Very Important
Physical, biological, and social science must inform the management of outdoor recreation.	Physical, biological, and social science must inform the management of outdoor recreation. Not Important	Physical, biological, and social science must inform the management of outdoor recreation. Neutral	Physical, biological, and social science must inform the management of outdoor recreation. Important	Physical, biological, and social science must inform the management of outdoor recreation. Very Important
Stable, long-term, and diverse funding sources are essential to protect the environment and support outdoor recreation.	Stable, long-term, and diverse funding sources are essential to protect the environment and support outdoor recreation. Not Important	Stable, long-term, and diverse funding sources are essential to protect the environment and support outdoor recreation. Neutral	Stable, long-term, and diverse funding sources are essential to protect the environment and support outdoor recreation. Important	Stable, long-term, and diverse funding sources are essential to protect the environment and support outdoor recreation. Very Important

Other recommendations:

Question Title

* 14. How important are the following trail stewardship activities?

	Not Important	Neutral	Important	Very Important
Keeping existing trails open	Keeping existing trails open Not Important	Keeping existing trails open Neutral	Keeping existing trails open Important	Keeping existing trails open Very Important
Connecting trails between communities and USDA Forest Service trails	Connecting trails between communities and USDA Forest Service trails Not Important	Connecting trails between communities and USDA Forest Service trails Neutral	Connecting trails between communities and USDA Forest Service trails Important	Connecting trails between communities and USDA Forest Service trails Very Important
Focusing funds on the front country, access areas, and first mile of each trail	Focusing funds on the front country, access areas, and first mile of each trail Not Important	Focusing funds on the front country, access areas, and first mile of each trail Neutral	Focusing funds on the front country, access areas, and first mile of each trail Important	Focusing funds on the front country, access areas, and first mile of each trail Very Important
Finding new funding mechanisms to support trail opportunities	Finding new funding mechanisms to support trail opportunities Not Important	Finding new funding mechanisms to support trail opportunities Neutral	Finding new funding mechanisms to support trail opportunities Important	Finding new funding mechanisms to support trail opportunities Very Important
Working with States to support multi-purpose trails	Working with States to support multi-purpose trails Not Important	Working with States to support multi-purpose trails Neutral	Working with States to support multi-purpose trails Important	Working with States to support multi-purpose trails Very Important
Building trail loops of varying difficulty	Building trail loops of varying difficulty Not Important	Building trail loops of varying difficulty Neutral	Building trail loops of varying difficulty Important	Building trail loops of varying difficulty Very Important
Moving trails out of critical wildlife habitat	Moving trails out of critical wildlife habitat Not Important	Moving trails out of critical wildlife habitat Neutral	Moving trails out of critical wildlife habitat Important	Moving trails out of critical wildlife habitat Very Important
Authorizing and building new routes	Authorizing and building new routes Not Important	Authorizing and building new routes Neutral	Authorizing and building new routes Important	Authorizing and building new routes Very Important
Authorizing new technologies and uses	Authorizing new technologies and uses Not Important	Authorizing new technologies and uses Neutral	Authorizing new technologies and uses Important	Authorizing new technologies and uses Very Important

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 15. How important are the following trails stewardship activities for improving customer service?

	Not Important	Neutral	Important	Very Important
Providing better signage and information at trailheads	Providing better signage and information at trailheads Not Important	Providing better signage and information at trailheads Neutral	Providing better signage and information at trailheads Important	Providing better signage and information at trailheads Very Important
Promotion of responsible trail use behavior and ethics	Promotion of responsible trail use behavior and ethics Not Important	Promotion of responsible trail use behavior and ethics Neutral	Promotion of responsible trail use behavior and ethics Important	Promotion of responsible trail use behavior and ethics Very Important
Investment in maintaining trail data and finding new ways to partner with app providers	Investment in maintaining trail data and finding new ways to partner with app providers Not Important	Investment in maintaining trail data and finding new ways to partner with app providers Neutral	Investment in maintaining trail data and finding new ways to partner with app providers Important	Investment in maintaining trail data and finding new ways to partner with app providers Very Important
Investment in electronic media	Investment in electronic media Not Important	Investment in electronic media Neutral	Investment in electronic media Important	Investment in electronic media Very Important
Investment in visitor service centers	Investment in visitor service centers Not Important	Investment in visitor service centers Neutral	Investment in visitor service centers Important	Investment in visitor service centers Very Important
Investment in on-the-ground trail ambassadors	Investment in on-the-ground trail ambassadors Not Important	Investment in on-the-ground trail ambassadors Neutral	Investment in on-the-ground trail ambassadors Important	Investment in on-the-ground trail ambassadors Very Important

USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Region

Trails Strategy Questionnaire

Question Title

* 1. We want to ensure we include diverse perspectives in this questionnaire, so please tell us whom you are representing in your responses?

Question Title

* 2. The Rocky Mountain Region of the USDA Forest Service includes national forests and grasslands in five states. In which state do you engage in recreation activities the most?

Question Title

* 3. As we work together to create a trails strategy using a shared stewardship approach, what is most important to you?

Question Title

* 4. We are considering strategies to manage trails. How valuable would each strategy be?

Question Title

* 5. What should be the primary benefit of the trails strategy?

Question Title

* 6. How important are the following for a successful and effective trails strategy?

Question Title

* 7. What are the most effective ways partners can work with the USDA Forest Service to create and manage a sustainable trail network? Rank the importance from one to eight, with the number one being the highest ranking.

Question Title

* 8. What is the most important step the USDA Forest Service could take to enhance the effectiveness of trails management?

Question Title

* 9. What would be the three most useful components of a trails strategy for you or your organization?

Question Title

* 10. What are the three highest priorities for improving trailhead facilities? Please choose only three.

Question Title

* 11. What are the three most important ways to measure the success of a trails strategy? Please choose only three.

Question Title

* 12. What should we prioritize when discussing the benefits of a trails strategy?

Question Title

* 13. The USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region is considering the application of the SHIFT Outdoor Principles (Shaping How we Invest For Tomorrow) in the development of a trails strategy. How important are these principles to the success of managing our trails?

Question Title

* 14. How important are the following trail stewardship activities?

Question Title

* 15. How important are the following trails stewardship activities for improving customer service?

Question Title

* 16. What did we miss that is important to you that we should add?

Question Title

* 17. Would you like to be added to the trails strategy contact list?