Below is a set of guidelines for trail managers based on the criteria and subcriteria provided on the ERA Green Trails website. These guidelines are designed to help trail managers implement sustainable actions without necessarily seeking certification as a Green Trail.
Use them as a whole or pick, what is valuable for you.
Guidelines for trail management teams: Implementing sustainable, climate-resilient, and responsible actions
1. Environmental sustainability and climate resilience
1.1 Trail maintenance, erosion control, and climate adaptation
- Regular inspections with climate considerations: Conduct regular inspections to identify erosion-prone areas, taking into account climate-related impacts like increased rainfall and extreme weather.
Use sustainable, climate-resilient materials and techniques, such as natural barriers and permeable surfaces, to enhance the trail’s resilience to climate change. - Sustainable and adaptive construction: When building or repairing trails, incorporate designs that account for changing climate conditions, such as improved drainage systems to handle more intense rainfall.
Use construction methods that minimize environmental impact and avoid areas vulnerable to climate-induced erosion.
1.2 Protection of ecosystems, wildlife, and climate-sensitive areas
- Sensitive area identification and Protection: Identify, map, and protect ecosystems and wildlife habitats particularly vulnerable to climate change.
Establish buffer zones to prevent human impact on these critical areas and restrict access during sensitive periods, such as breeding seasons. - Climate and ecosystem education: Educate visitors on the effects of climate change on local ecosystems and wildlife.
Use signage, brochures, and digital media to inform them about how they can reduce their carbon footprint and protect sensitive areas.
1.3 Waste management, carbon reduction, and overtourism mitigation
- Comprehensive waste and recycling programs: Install and maintain trash, recycling, and composting bins at key locations.
Encourage visitors to reduce waste and recycle by providing clear instructions and reminders, and implement waste-to-energy programs where feasible. - Sustainable visitor management: Monitor visitor numbers and implement measures to prevent overtourism, such as capping the number of visitors during peak times or offering alternative routes to spread visitor impact.
Use data from waste collection and environmental monitoring to adjust visitor numbers as needed to maintain sustainability.
1.4 Renewable energy and energy efficiency
- Renewable energy integration: Install renewable energy systems, such as solar panels and wind turbines, to power trail facilities. This reduces reliance on fossil fuels and minimizes the trail’s carbon footprint.
- Energy efficiency and smart management: Replace conventional lighting with energy-efficient LEDs, and use energy-saving appliances at trail facilities.
Implement smart energy management systems to monitor and reduce overall energy consumption.
2. Cultural and heritage preservation
2.1 Respect for cultural sites with climate awareness
- Climate-resilient cultural site protection: Identify and protect cultural and heritage sites, especially those vulnerable to climate impacts like sea level rise or increased temperatures.
Use climate-adaptive measures to preserve these sites for future generations. - Community engagement on climate and culture: Engage local communities to integrate climate change awareness into cultural site preservation.
Highlight traditional practices that contribute to climate resilience and environmental stewardship, and involve the community in protecting these sites.
2.2 Educational materials, interpretation, and sustainable tourism
- Cultural and climate interpretation: Install interpretive signs that provide information on local history, traditions, and the impacts of climate change on cultural heritage.
Ensure these signs are informative, and accessible, and emphasize the connection between culture, climate, and sustainability. - Sustainable tourism practices: Develop visitor experiences that highlight cultural preservation and sustainable tourism, such as guided tours that focus on the impacts of climate change on local traditions.
Encourage visitors to support local economies in ways that are both culturally respectful and environmentally sustainable.
2.3 Promotion of cultural sensitivity and climate-responsible behavior
- Cultural and climate sensitivity training: Provide training for trail staff and volunteers on cultural and climate sensitivity.
Ensure they understand the importance of respectful interactions with local communities and how climate change affects these communities. - Visitor guidelines for sustainability and climate action: Create and distribute guidelines that encourage respectful behavior towards cultural sites and climate-aware practices.
Include these guidelines in all visitor materials to promote both cultural sensitivity and climate-conscious behavior.
3. Safety, accessibility, and climate resilience
3.1 Trail signage, safety information, and climate-related alerts
- Comprehensive signage with climate alerts: Ensure trails are well-marked with clear signage that includes climate-related safety information, such as warnings about extreme weather, fire risks, or flooding.
Install emergency contact points along the trail and provide information on how to stay safe during climate events. - Real-time climate information: Provide up-to-date information about current and predicted weather conditions.
Use digital platforms or apps to send real-time alerts to visitors about potential hazards like storms or extreme heat, ensuring they can take necessary precautions.
3.2 Regular maintenance, climate adaptation, and overtourism prevention
- Climate-resilient maintenance: Conduct routine maintenance focused on enhancing the trail’s resilience to climate change, such as reinforcing areas prone to landslides, repairing storm damage, or installing water management systems.
Regularly assess and adapt these measures to ensure they remain effective. - Visitor flow management: Monitor and manage visitor flows to prevent overtourism. Implement strategies such as timed entry systems, limiting access during high-risk climate events, and encouraging visitation during off-peak times to reduce environmental pressure and enhance safety.
3.3 Accessibility features with climate and sustainability focus
- Climate-adapted accessibility: Incorporate accessibility features into the trail that are resilient to climate conditions, such as materials that remain stable in extreme temperatures or paths designed to stay accessible during heavy rain or heatwaves.
- Sustainability in accessibility: Use sustainable materials and energy-efficient solutions when installing or upgrading accessibility features, ensuring that these improvements align with broader environmental and climate goals.
4. Responsible visitor behavior, climate action, and overtourism prevention
4.1 Leave No Trace principles with a climate and sustainability focus
- Climate-conscious visitor education: Educate visitors on Leave No Trace principles, emphasizing actions that reduce their carbon footprint, such as using sustainable transportation, minimizing waste, and conserving energy. Use workshops, signage, and digital tools to spread this message.
- Stewardship programs with climate and sustainability goals: Engage visitors in stewardship activities that also contribute to climate action, such as planting trees, restoring habitats, or maintaining trails in a way that enhances climate resilience.
4.2 Responsible camping, climate awareness, and overtourism management
- Climate-adapted camping practices: Designate campsites with climate resilience in mind, ensuring they are safe from climate-related hazards such as flooding or fire.
Provide guidelines that encourage the use of renewable energy sources, waste reduction, and minimal-impact camping practices. - Overtourism mitigation in camping: Implement measures to control the number of campers, particularly during peak seasons or in sensitive areas.
Consider requiring reservations to manage visitor numbers and reduce the environmental impact of camping.
4.3 Respect for wildlife and climate impact awareness
- Climate and wildlife interaction guidelines: Educate visitors about how climate change affects local wildlife and how they can minimize their impact. Encourage behaviors such as maintaining safe distances from animals, avoiding feeding wildlife, and respecting habitat boundaries.
- Monitoring and managing wildlife impact: Regularly monitor how climate change is affecting local wildlife populations and adjust trail management practices accordingly.
Use this data to inform visitors about the connection between climate change and wildlife conservation, encouraging them to take an active role in protecting wildlife.
5. Community engagement, economic impact, and climate resilience
5.1 Community collaboration for climate resilience and sustainability
- Climate-resilient local partnerships: Work closely with local communities to integrate climate resilience and sustainability into trail planning and management.
Hold regular meetings to gather input on climate impacts and address community concerns related to sustainability and environmental stewardship. - Support for climate-resilient cultural events: Promote and support local cultural events that focus on climate resilience and sustainability.
Encourage visitors to participate in these events to strengthen community ties and promote climate action.
5.2 Promotion of local businesses and climate-smart tourism
- Support for climate-smart local businesses: Promote businesses that prioritize climate-friendly practices, such as those using renewable energy, offering sustainable products, or contributing to local conservation efforts.
Highlight these businesses in trail-related materials and encourage visitors to support them. - Eco-tourism and climate adaptation packages: Work with local tourism boards to develop and promote eco-tourism packages that emphasize climate adaptation strategies and sustainable practices.
Design these packages to minimize the carbon footprint of visitors and ensure that tourism benefits local communities.
5.3 Community benefits and economic resilience
- Local employment in climate-resilient roles: Create job opportunities that support both trail management and climate resilience, such as positions in environmental monitoring, sustainable tourism, or renewable energy projects.
Provide training to help local residents develop skills in these areas. - Volunteer programs for climate and economic resilience: Establish volunteer programs that engage local residents in activities that build climate resilience and support sustainable economic development.
Recognize and reward volunteer contributions to encourage ongoing participation in climate action and community resilience efforts.
These guidelines provide a comprehensive framework for trail managers to implement sustainable, climate-resilient, and responsible actions. By focusing on these areas, trail managers can protect the environment, preserve cultural heritage, manage visitor impacts, and foster positive economic outcomes for local communities – all while addressing the challenges of climate change and avoiding the pitfalls of over-tourism.