Have you ever been out hiking or riding your favorite trail and been disappointed at the amount of trash, dog poop or even worse, human waste in your favorite wilderness spots? Was your first thought “someone should take care of that!” When it comes to our trails, that’s the essence of stewardship. Sometimes, you’re the someone who needs to take care of the issue. And that’s exactly why the Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance started our Trail Ambassador program.
Recreation on our trails has an impact – plain and simple – and as our population of trail users increases, so too does our commitment to maintaining this amenity. The goal of our Trail Ambassador program is to educate and communicate with trail users about sustainable outdoor recreation practices. We believe education is the only way forward, ensuring trail enthusiasts know when, where, and how to recreate to protect our trails and environment and ensure their continued survival.
Trail Ambassador Program is Making a Big Difference
Ellen Miller Out on the Trails Educating Visitors
Melanie and Noah Sharing our Love of the Trails
This summer, we were able to employ two, full-time seasonal Trail Ambassadors thanks to a grant from the Eagle County Lodging Tax Marketing Committee and National Forest Foundation. These employees, in addition to our committed volunteers, had an amazing impact on our local trails. Trail Ambassadors put in over 1,200 hours at trailheads and on the trail at eighteen of the most popular trails all summer long. While out there, they engaged in educational conversations with over 2,200 individuals. The discussions focused on five key messages:
- Leash Your Dog – 100+ leashes were given out.
- Leave No Trace – Pack out all trash, pet and human waste. Over 100 wag bags were given away!
- Camp in the Right Place – Set up previously impacted sites at least 100 feet from trails, lakes and streams to protect the environment.
- Fire Education – 88 people were educated on where and how to build a fire and were made aware of any fire restrictions. Most importantly we reminded everyone to put it out until cold to the touch.
- Trail Etiquette – Know the rules of the trails and be kind to everyone.
- Enjoyment – But maybe the most important thing was to enjoy being outside, on the trail, and in the wilderness.
As the weather starts to turn cold and the animals get ready for the winter, our Trail Ambassador program shifts to education about the importance of Seasonal Wildlife Closures. Over the last 8 years we’ve made significant progress getting locals and visitors to respect these critical closures. By continuing to reduce the number of human violations, we are helping to ensure that our local wildlife has the space, peace and resources they need to survive the winter.
All of these efforts are complemented by a valley-wide education campaign called Respect the Vail Valley. We developed this campaign in partnership with the Vail Valley Partnership, Leave No Trace and funding was provided through a grant from the Colorado Tourism Office. The campaign focused on the belief that there is so much natural beauty here in the Vail Valley, and we want everyone to enjoy it with us. The campaign provides some tips to enjoy the great outdoors safely and responsibly. Our hope is that we can inspire others to come together to keep this amazing place pristine for generations to come and minimize our impact on critical natural habitats for our local wildlife.
Every trail user has the potential to be a powerful steward. But it has to start with everyone taking accountability for their impact. Our ultimate goal is that all of our efforts create a community of trail stewards that respect the wildlife, fellow recreators, and those caring for our public lands, to ensure access to these beautiful experiences for years to come! Together, there is nothing we can’t achieve.
