NY-NJ TRAIL CONFERENCE
SCIENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF THE INAUGURAL MEETING
WEIS ECOLOGY CENTER
NOVEMBER 12, 2000

Attending the meeting: Science Advisors: Joan Ehrenfeld, Rutgers University , co-chair; Lance Risley, William Paterson University; Matt Gomper, Columbia University; Laura Newgard, environmental consultant; Bob Masson, Morristown National Historical Park; Pat Cooney, Torrey Botanical Society; Chris Harmon, SE New York Chapter of The Nature Conservancy; Michael Batcher, environmental consultant; Steve Clements, Brooklyn Botanical Gardens; Bill Richardson, York City water supply hydrologist. 

Trail Conference: Gary Haugland, TC President, co-chair; Walt Daniels, trail design and technology; Sandy Parr, trail construction and rehabilitation.

This was the first meeting of the science advisors who were invited primarily by Jan Hesbon and Joan Ehrenfeld. The group was asked to talk about their fields of interest and expertise and to relate their experience to the draft statement of goals. These were linked to the specific concerns of the Trail Conference and a series of action items were developed.

DRAFT STATEMENT OF GOALS 

The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference has convened a Science Advisory Committee in recognition of the Łact that its mission must include the science-based protection of the ecological integrity of the lands through which its trail system is found. This mission includes understanding both the potential impacts of trails and hikers on the ecosystem and the potential role of hikers and volunteers in protecting the environment. 

The goals for the Trail Conference Science Advisory Committee are therefore to:

1. Develop methods by which the Trail Conference can help assess the impact of hiking trails in areas of concern within the geographic region containing the TC's network of trails.
2. Establish guidelines for trail construction and maintenance within the framework of responsible land stewardship and current scientific knowledge.
3. Educate TC members and volunteers about these issues, and through our publications, reach a broader public audience.
4. Establish clear and responsive channels of communication between the Trail Conference and land management agencies and organizations regarding emerging environmental concerns, scientific information about the ecological health of the region, shifting regu1atory requirements and public access issues.
5. Develop volunteer-centered activities to accomplish the preceding goals, including participation in research, data gathering, and educating trail crews and maintainers.

DISCUSSION POINTS 

The meeting started with a statement by each participant identifying issues of concern and opportunities for the NYNJTC and its members and volunteers to become involved. The following list summarizes the main points of this discussion:

• threatened and endangered species locations and habitat requirements: these issues affect trail building and maintenance, possible trail closings; trail volunteers could be useful in identifying potential habitat 
• exotic species management: issues include both hikers as sources of introduction and spread of exotics and creation of exotic-prone habitat along trails, and potential actions of hikers/trail maintainers in removing, controlling, and/or identifying populations of exotics 
• use of trails by animals: effects on populations, spread, habituation to humans 
• identifying direct and indirect impacts of trails and trail-users on habitats
• wetlands management: many trails cross wetlands, permits may be needed for construction of boardwalks, etc. 
• Trail location and re-location issues, as well as opportunity for public education 
• land management activities: presence of trails and hikers may limit land management options such as controlled burning, clearing, etc. -- potential for conflicts between land managers and hiking community 
• need for local expertise for particular sites and areas: local knowledge of species, populations, both problems and those needing special conservation action 
• potential use of hiking community/trail maintenance crews for monitoring ecosystem health (e.g., insect outbreaks, over-browsing by deer, invasive species establishment, erosion, etc.) and in monitoring inappropriate or illegal uses of the trail system (e.g., motorized vehicle use) 
• education of hiking community: management of group size, awareness of impact on forest, cooperation with other management activities 
• potential for research: getting students involved in studying hiker impacts and/or hiker contributions to forest health 

ACTION ITEMS 

The following were the recommendations of the group: 

1. Educating the hiking community: Committee members agreed to write articles for the Trail Walker and to hold science classes at the Trail Maintenance Workshops. Starting in 2001, the plan is to have a well-illustrated article in each issue of the Trail Walker on a particular trail-science topic. Information will also be available on the TC web site through a specific science-related page with links to other organizations and possibly a collection of articles for reference. Starting with the upcoming Trail Maintenance workshop (May), there will be classes on plant and animal issues as well as clipping and blazing. 

2. Revising policies and guidelines: The committee members will review current TC policies and recommend revisions and additions that are more ecologically informed. The trail , maintenance and construction manual can be revised with more prominence given to nature. Signage should be added to inform the public about sensitive areas they may be near (need to beware of saying too much and inducing bad behavior). 

3. Increasing involvement with local experts: The TC can become more closely involved with experts who know their areas and can arrange for field /site trips to teach and train trail volunteers, and to help Insure mutual benefit. An example is the Invasive Species Council. 

4. Encouraging and facilitating research: The woods are ripe areas for research and the academic members noted that they are always looking for thesis topics for doctoral candidates and for ways of involving students in field research. There are many testable hypotheses that deserve further attention. This could be a great opportunity for the schools, the Trail Conference and the land partners. This was felt to be a long range goal. 

5. Expanding problem reporting: Develop expanded trail problem reporting form (or an additional form) to allow hikers to report ecological problems. 

NEXT STEPS 

The committee members felt that they could tolerate 3-4 meetings per year, most in subcommittees with a full meeting/seminar held annually. All were enthusiastic, and the co-chairs will try to sustain the energy and the flow of ideas -- and hold those who promised to participate to their word.